Nebraska 2025 Rankings Update: Stock Risers (Pt. 1)
In this article:
Let’s delve into the stock risers. We needed four features to churn through all the new additions in our latest Nebraska 2025 rankings update. It’s a testament to how much the state’s prep landscape keeps evolving, even with the Class…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLet’s delve into the stock risers.
We needed four features to churn through all the new additions in our latest Nebraska 2025 rankings update. It’s a testament to how much the state’s prep landscape keeps evolving, even with the Class of 2025 already spending plenty of time in the spotlight. That evolution will be apparent again as we address the stock risers.
Bring on Part 1!
It’s only right to start with a newly minted state champion. Kamery has been a transformative talent for Minden while being elite at multiple positions. We remain in awe of Kamery’s stats. She was one of Nebraska’s kill leaders in 2023 while also taking on a part-time setting role. And, by the way, her ace output was one of Nebraska’s best, too. The Wayne State commit does it all, and that trend could continue at the next level. Before that, though, Kamery and her team have a great chance to go back to back in 2024.
Highlights
Kucks has gone from a six-rotation outside hitter to a D1 commit at the libero position. What a journey. We were mesmerized early on by Kucks’ all-around skills, and she has just gotten better throughout her prep career. She took the reins of Millard North’s defense this fall after landing a late August commitment to Lipscomb. Kucks has also climbed the ladder at Premier Nebraska and could be due for her most impactful club season yet.
There’s something so memorable about watching a middle blocker take over a big match. That’s exactly what Link did with Omaha Skutt Catholic in the Class B title bout. The junior middle blocker racked up nine blocks in just three sets to go along with nine kills–right on the doorstep of a rare double-double. Link will now take this forward momentum to Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy, which is fresh off a historic GJNC run in 16 Open. Another stock-rising opportunity.
Cose will be a fascinating prospect to watch in 2024 as she makes the move to VCNebraska for club competition. On the prep side, Cose just wrapped up a Class B runner-up effort with Norris and logged her best season yet. Part of Cose’s appeal is her ability to be a middle-opposite hybrid player who can run “double-quick” crossing patterns in three-hitter rotations. This versatility will keep elevating Cose’s status as one of Nebraska’s toughest players to defend.
Donovan earned a shoutout earlier this week when we discussed some of Nebraska’s best uncommitted prospects in the 2025 class. It’s easy to see how she’d be a stock riser after leading Lincoln Lutheran to a state title in her first season as the starter. We watched Donovan climb the ladder with Nebraska ONE in the club season, setting the stage for her special junior year with the Warriors. The ceiling keeps getting higher in 2024.
It’s easy to hone in on Helzer’s enormous kill totals with Oakland-Craig, but her development in other areas is what makes her a persistent stock riser. From her time with Nebraska Elite to her junior season with the Knights, Helzer has shown a growing willingness to take on a six-rotation role as a primary passer. Her ball control continues to develop while her offensive output never wavers. Helzer is now looking to make state tournament appearances in each of her four years as an Oakland-Craig starter.
We’ll go from Oakland-Craig to a former Oakland-Craig athlete who has made the move to Wahoo. Seagren was identified as a club athlete to watch this year, as she could play a multi-faceted frontcourt role with VCNebraska this spring. We’ve seen Seagren shine in the middle, but her recent prep reps have been skewed toward the pins, particularly on the right side. The narrative will surely keep evolving in the coming months.
Potthoff is another athlete who was highlighted as a top uncommitted prospect in Nebraska’s Class of 2025. Her command of the Gretna East offense allowed the Griffins to make an immediate appearance in the Class B quarterfinals. And, like most other schools that are just starting on the prep scene, Gretna East will bring the whole 2023 crew back for another go in 2024. Potthoff will be even more dangerous.
Highlights
Schmidt generated plenty of headlines through her 2023 efficiency numbers with Omaha Concordia. She greatly exceeded a 0.300 clip from the middle and was a force in first-ball situations or in transition. The Mustangs generated a major uptick in wins as a result, and Schmidt could receive even more attempts as a senior.
Lincoln Southwest’s biggest 2023 stock riser gets one more mention. Harding elevated her game at the perfect time, as LSW sought some new leaders after graduating many of its veteran pins. This dynamic outside hitter was the ideal fit for Southwest’s up-tempo offense. Harding got on top of the ball quickly and was so efficient at working seams in the block. It’s only fitting that this special individual season ended with the greatest team accomplishment in Silver Hawk history: a Class A volleyball title.
Highlights
Ott’s vital role in Skutt Catholic’s ninth consecutive state title cannot be overlooked. She dialed up over 50 aces off the bench, helping the SkyHawks maintain their status as one of Nebraska’s most formidable serving teams. Ott could also take on a standard DS role and churned out plenty of quality digs and passes throughout the 2023 campaign. There’s an opening at libero next year, and Ott could seize the opportunity in pursuit of the ten-peat.
We’ll remain in Class B for our final entry in Part 1. Landon’s exceptional junior year kept Waverly in the postseason discussion for yet another fall season. She finished the regular season with nearly 200 kills and was also the most productive Viking blocker. Landon uses her lateral quickness to work around opposing blockers to score. She’ll use that same strength to close blocks from pin to pin, which is part of the reason why Landon churned out so many blocks for Waverly’s defense.