Nebraska 2025 Rankings Update: Stock Risers (Pt. 2)
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These 2025s keep climbing. Yesterday, we rolled out Part 1 of our look at the latest stock risers from the Nebraska Class of 2025 rankings. There’s more to come in this feature, but you already know that. Get ready for…
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Continue ReadingThese 2025s keep climbing.
Yesterday, we rolled out Part 1 of our look at the latest stock risers from the Nebraska Class of 2025 rankings. There’s more to come in this feature, but you already know that.
Get ready for these rising 2025s as we break out the new calendars.
Middle blockers will be prevalent in this feature. We’re starting with Kafka, an Omaha Marian prep star who represents Nebraska Elite on the club side. Kafka made her stock-rising potential known at our La Vista showcase before the 2023 high school season started. Once we got into live competition, this physical middle blocker dominated the net for Marian and posted career-bests in kills per set and hitting efficiency. Time to keep that streak going to start 2024.
Highlights
Miller’s rise in the 2025 rankings was coming. The Columbus athlete has made the most of her appearances on the Prep Dig Circuit, and her work on the prep side has garnered attention, too. The Discoverers found every way possible to get Miller involved, whether its was on the quick, behind the setter, or on the pin. She puts some undiggable heat behind the ball and can work indefensible areas of the court. Nebraska ONE 17 Black is the next stop for Miller on the club trail.
Highlights
Diller-Odell has found its latest high-volume scorers. Weers is undoubtedly one of those, as she racked up a whopping 4.3 kills per set on an equally impressive 0.310 hitting percentage. Her natural position is in the middle, but the Griffins were keen on giving Weers slower tempos so her athleticism could overpower opposing defenses. That included a healthy dose of swings on the left pin, too. Diller-Odell came up just short of a postseason bid in 2023, but there’s a lot to like about the firepower coming back for another push. Weers will lead the charge.
The run of middle blockers continues. Similar to our discussion of Weers, Henn was the kind of middle blocker who didn’t need a quick set to gain an advantage. She could simply reach over the hands in front of her and drop the hammer. Elgin Public/Pope John levied this dominance to the tune of 3.6 kills per set–Henn’s second consecutive season with over three terminations per set. The Wolfpack broke into this year’s semifinal round at the state tournament, and they’re on the hunt for more.
Kiichler has earned previous shoutouts here, and that turned into a rankings boost. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of talented Class A attackers, but we shouldn’t lose sight of Kiichler’s consistent production with Norfolk. She neared 300 total kills in her junior year, which was a dramatic leap from having under one kill per set the year before. If this trend continues, it’s hard to predict what Kiichler could accomplish next fall. A club season with Nebraska Elite is on the horizon first.
Braithwaite has been on the Prep Dig Circuit a few times lately, and she always manages to stand out among a talented group of defensive specialists. We’re excited to see what’s upcoming with Club Legacy, a group that posted some impressive regional results in early 2023. Next spring offers a chance to raise Braithwaite’s stock further.
Highlights
Denker gets Nebraska Elite back in the discussion. However, her production with Fremont on the prep stage has a lot to do with her latest rankings boost. The Tigers used Denker as a multi-purpose player who could run the offense as a setter and switch to an attacking role in the frontcourt. She was a reliable player in both niches, though she may be setting full time in the 2024 club season. Either way, Denker is making moves heading into the new year.
Here’s another Class A setter worth following in the club season. Johnson earned plenty of reps as Lincoln East’s starting setter this fall, and it culminated in back-to-back state tournament appearances for the Spartans. It didn’t matter whether Johnson was in a 5-1 or a 6-2. She piloted the team in a way that made all her hitters better. The same can be said of Johnson’s prior stints with Nebraska Juniors, and that’s where she’s set to compete in 2024.
Highlights
Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family brought multiple attackers into the spotlight this year. Korth warranted a rankings boost after putting up 3.2 kills per set and a stunning five digs per set as an outside hitter. She meshed well with the familiar Bulldog style: make quality transition digs and turn those opportunities into points. A do-everything attacker like this can wear down opponents, and HLHF did that all the way to the postseason.
Keep an eye on some of Waverly’s under-the-radar attackers. Ropte earned some serious playing time this season and usually made her mark on the pin. She neared a 0.200 hitting efficiency on the season while taking some tough out-of-system swings for the Vikings. Waverly has some fascinating lineup options on the table next year.