Nebraska 2027 Watch List Spotlight: Pin Hitters
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Let’s start talking about some of these fresh faces. In case you missed it, we just dropped the first iteration of our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. This release just scratches the surface of the fabulous 2027s we’ll be…
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Continue ReadingLet’s start talking about some of these fresh faces.
In case you missed it, we just dropped the first iteration of our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. This release just scratches the surface of the fabulous 2027s we’ll be able to cover over the next few years. Consider it the start of a long journey.
But, we still have some players to discuss from this watch list. We can’t do the traditional “stock riser” and “new addition” features with a new group, but that doesn’t preclude us from talking about these athletes anyway. There are other ways to do it!
For this one, we’re focusing on a select group of pin hitters who have already surged into the spotlight among their freshman peers.
We’ve been fortunate enough to build a bit of a scouting report on Timmons before she entered the Fairbury lineup this fall. She was a key contributor while playing up with Nebraska ONE 15 Black this spring as the team climbed all the way to Nationals. Timmons can adapt to playing on either pin but has been particularly effective on the left side. This has materialized at Fairbury, where Timmons has been one of Nebraska’s most productive scorers in the freshman class.
Highlights
Here’s a fascinating addition to the Norris lineup. We knew this high school program was stockpiling some young talent, but Bornschlegl has exploded onto the scene despite having veteran players ahead of her. She brings a fluid approach on the pin that allows her to terminate at the peak of her jump. Bornschlegl will represent VCNebraska on the club side and fits the style of many other VCN pins.
As we’ve discussed in the lead-up to this watch list, small towns will be well represented in the first few 2027 updates. Cochran carries the torch for Gering after putting up impressive numbers to start her debut season. This left-side hitter brings extraordinary length that allows her to hit some indefensible angles. Cochran is also committed to developing her backcourt skills to become a true six-rotation threat. She’s off to a great start.
Beatrice has received some steady production from freshmen over the past few seasons. Meints is next on the list after emerging as a reliable scoring outlet on the left. She puts some serious momentum behind her swings and will carve through open seams in the block to get her kills. Adding Meints to the left pin gives Beatrice a perfect complement to its lethal scorers at other positions.
We’re going back to the Lincoln metro for another high-flying outside hitter worth following. Volkmer has taken advantage of her time in the spotlight with Lincoln Northeast and has nearly two kills per set on her ledger. This multi-talented hitter will offer her services to VCNebraska next spring, giving us another opportunity to see Volkmer shine.
Highlights
Nebraska Elite is on the board. But, before we get to see Thayer-Mencke tear it up on the club side, she seems poised for a stout freshman year with Fort Calhoun. Thayer-Mencke is hitting around 0.200 during her time in the Pioneer lineup and has demonstrated the flexibility needed to play on either pin. That adaptability will play dividends again in the spring.
Highlights
How about a Nebraska Juniors product hailing from Central City? We’re covering a lot of ground here. Homolka is unique in that most of her damage has come on the right pin. As one of the few pure opposites to make our first watch list, Homolka will immediately draw some eyes when she returns to Nebraska Juniors next year
Highlights
Logan View knows how to churn out quality outside hitters, and we’ll look for Jackson to be the next one in that lineup. The up-and-coming athlete has been catching her stride in the last several matches, giving the Raiders ample variety in the front row.