Best of the West: Spotlighting 2023 Western Nebraska Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a feature series we haven't done in a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska prep coverage typically leans heavily into the eastern third of the stage, particularly with the largest metro areas of Omaha and Lincoln bunched together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're branching out today. Plenty of volleyball gems are competing in the western half of the Cornhusker State, and we'll see many of them trekking to Lincoln for the state tournament. Let's give them their due.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an overview of some western Nebraska stars we're watching during the late-season grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["256640"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We're starting out in Bayard, which is almost as far west as you can get in the Cornhusker State. Hassel has clearly emerged as one of the panhandle's most dynamic attackers and is a big reason why the Tigers remain undefeated in 2023. Her strong lefty swing has accounted for over three kills per set this year on a career-best 0.342 hitting clip. Hassel is pursuing championship glory in her final season with Bayard, and she'll be one to watch if her team returns to Lincoln.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["105003"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"We've documented Ervin's do-it-all attitude throughout her storied Ogallala career. She sets, hits, and is exceptional at both of those skills and a lot more. The Southern Utah commit could fill any niche at the next level, but we're enjoying Ervin's time on the prep stage for now. Ogallala will surely remember her impact for a while.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["122808"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Clarke colossal numbers speak for themselves. She's putting down almost five kills per set in her final season with Alliance, which has put her over 1,000 terminations for her career. But, like many of the players on this feature, Clarke's wicked arm tells only part of the story. Her ability to remain composed in serve receive and keep the Bulldogs in system cannot be overlooked. Clarke ensures her influence is felt everywhere.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["172602"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"We got an in-person glimpse at McCartney's setting prowess when she competed with Chadron at last month's Harvest Festival Invite. She has a knack for bettering the ball and is tallying nearly nine assists per set with the Cardinals. McCartney's aggression as a frontcourt player is another essential part of her game, as she'll accumulate about a kill per set of her own. The savvy senior has surely set the pace for western Nebraska signal-callers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["342570"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"On to Lexington. Young has surged into the Class of 2025 spotlight this year while helping dish out the Minuteman offense. Western Nebraska is full of these hidden gems who find a way to shine when their chance in the starting lineup arrives. Young's best volleyball is still ahead of her, too.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Aubrey Watts","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Bridgeport","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Watts is distributing well for Bridgeport, a program that is currently putting together a winning season. The junior setter spreads the ball around from antenna to antenna, accounting for her eight assists per set this season. Keep an eye on this surging upperclassman on the small-town scene.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["173539"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Mitchell has long been home to one of western Nebraska's most statistically productive liberos. Morales is nearing a career average of five digs per set with a whopping 5.7 digs per set in the 2023 campaign. Better yet, these digs are controlled, quality touches that give Mitchell plenty of offensive options in transition","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["122820"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Leeling's extraordinary reign at Sidney hasn't been limited to volleyball—but her volleyball production has been exceptional on its own. The senior pin hitter has just surpassed 1,000 career kills and has given a lot more in defensive categories, too. The Red Raiders have been a regular postseason player behind Leeling's leadership, and her mark in the career record books will be permanent.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["104982"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"She's still one of the best. Evert's storied high school career with Gothenburg only has a few more weeks, but her impact will reach farther into the future than that. The senior outside hitter is putting up 3.6 kills per set in her swan song campaign, which is right around Evert's career average with the Swedes. That's good enough to put Evert over 1,000 career kills to go along with an even larger tally in the dig department. This is a transformative all-around player.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6528dfe011989"} /-->