Next in Line: 2025s We’d Like to See in Next Year’s Postseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not too early to look ahead, right?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2025 athletes will be seniors in next fall's high school season. We just have to let that sink in for a moment. It feels like it was yesterday that 2025s were spry freshmen just starting to make their mark on the prep scene. They'll be the eldest of the bunch next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lately, we've spent a lot of time on the teams and athletes who competed at this year's NSAA State Championships. This feature will be somewhat of a pivot as we look back at some of the best players who just missed out on a bid this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the 2025s, there will be no better time than next year to atone for missing the 2023 postseason. Seniors tend to rise up when facing this pressure and finality. It will be time for the 2025s to take their turn in the senior spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few of next fall's seniors that we hope to see make a breakout tournament appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288606"],"_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":"When Kerkman is at full strength, watch out. The 2025 outside hitter was only able to play in about half of Millard West's sets this fall, but she made a huge splash while she was in there. She averaged about three-and-a-half kills per set in her debut season with the Wildcats, and we've already seen her wide-ranging impact on the club side with Premier Nebraska. Kerkman could be the next high-profile senior terminator for Millard West—a program that has thrived off of veteran pin attackers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["395104"],"_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":"After Grand Island broke into this year's Class A bracket, why not keep the good times rolling from outside Lincoln and Omaha. Columbus has an under-the-radar outside hitter with Janssen taking big strides this fall. She approached three kills per set as a junior, and it's a number that's sure to rise as Janssen takes an even bigger role next year. The Discoverers know how to get the most out of their high-volume hitters. Janssen is ready to fill that niche.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["214008"],"_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":"Beatrice has been lurking in the Class B wildcard race for a while, and it might all come together in 2024. It helps to have a senior-to-be like Gleason who can take over at the net. Her kill averages have steadily risen throughout her career, culminating in a 2.4 mark as a junior. Gleason can keep the trend going and bring Beatrice to a new level in her final prep season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["342612"],"_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":"Crist racked up some of the biggest numbers among players who didn't end up in Lincoln this November. The Crete outside hitter amassed an astonishing 5.1 kills per set in 2023 and was similarly effective in handling first contacts. The Cardinals were right on the doorstep of breaking into the Class B tournament, so there's unfinished business in 2024. Crist will lead the way.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["173537"],"_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":"We need some setter representation here, and Waido is a great choice in the Class C1 ranks. She's the latest star in a long line of talented Wahoo setters, and she upped her assist average to nine per set this season. After growing accustomed to seeing the Warriors in the state title race, it wouldn't be a shock to see Waido lead her team back into the mix next year.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["269910"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Efficient scoring has been Schmidt's calling card at Omaha Concordia. The hard-hitting middle blocker terminated at a clip over 0.300, helping the Mustangs trot out a much-improved 2023 squad. And, just for good measure, Schmidt posted a team-leading block total and was vital in generating positive touches. The offense might run through Schmidt next season, but she'll be ready.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["462366"],"_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":"How about a multi-talented setter-attacker? Mlnarik was a serious triple-double threat for Archbishop Bergan this year, posting over two kills per set, 4.5 assists per set, and about three digs per set. It's rare to see such volume in just about every statistical category, but Mlnarik has the tools to do it all. Even as transformative players graduate from the 2023 team, Mlnarik can help keep the Knights near the top as the newest senior headliner.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["189902"],"_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":"Freeman was a force in Class D1 this year, and there's reason to believe that will continue. Goes will be back in the libero jersey after compiling a stunning 5.6 digs per set in her junior season with the Falcons. Narrowly missing out on this year's D1 tournament should offer even more motivation in 2024, and it's scary to think what kind of production Goes could have as a senior.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["462338"],"_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":"Peterson soared to new heights this year. Her upward trajectory was reflected in her individual stats and Deshler's stellar 26-5 performance in the regular season. The team's hard-hitting junior middle blocker terminated nearly three times per set on an equally impressive 0.312 clip. Peterson will do even better next year if trends continue.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["269954"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Bayer is one of those vital contributors to Howells-Dodge's 2022 championship who will be back for one more outing in 2024. Though the Jaguars missed out on this year's postseason, the program has the talent and history of success to climb back in it. Bayer led this year's team with a whopping 5.7 digs per set, and that lofty production is due for a rerun.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["269947"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Wausa has its share of frontcourt terminators, and a winning season in 2023 might have elevated expectations for next year. West was a crucial component to this success with two-and-a-half kills per set on over 0.300 hitting. Could the Vikings be a breakout tournament candidate next season? There's always a few teams who manage to do it.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6559ce61091ee"} /-->