2026 Middles Poised for Big Gains this Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one for the middles. We're really excited about this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we addressed some <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/01/2026-setters-poised-for-big-gains-this-club-season/">Class of 2026 setters</a> who could become major stock risers during the upcoming club season. This theme persists for today's feature, but we're moving into the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's 2026 middle blockers are poised to move the needle in the next few months. Here are some athletes who could lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396732"],"_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":"Sullivan set a high bar in 2023, but she's ready to reach even higher. Her physical presence helped South Central NE clinch a GJNC spot—and eventually a podium finish at club volleyball's biggest event. It's no surprise that Sullivan was able to replicate her success with Hastings St. Cecilia on the prep side. It's full speed ahead into 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["396748"],"_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":"Let's visit the Banzai gym for one of the club's most dominant middle blockers. MacLeod showed a knack for shutting down anyone across the net last year, and her offensive contributions were massive, too. Banzai was not afraid to give MacLeod some slower tempos to allow her high contact point to take over. More high-impact matches are on the horizon as MacLeod leads her 16s group.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["349464"],"_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":"Suljuzovic caught our attention at multiple regional events last season, particularly at the GPR Bid Tournament in late April. This explosive middle blocker uses her lateral quickness to work around blockers and find open seams in front of her. Suljuzovic's agility also helps her close blocks on the defensive end, ensuring that Club Legacy has multiple ways to set the tone. Early-season events will be key for many Club Legacy athletes, and Suljuzovic falls into that category.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349475"],"_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're jumping all around the club map in this feature, so let's visit [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']. Garcia-Alvarez used her 2023 club experience to demonstrate her prowess at multiple positions. She can dominate in the middle or shift to the right pin to give River City some firepower at opposite. Regardless of her 2024 role, Garcia-Alvarez can jumpstart her development after an impactful sophomore season with Omaha South.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["275902"],"_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":"Sumner was an obvious choice for this feature. She surged into the spotlight with Premier 15 Gold last spring, particularly as the team vied for a GJNC bid at the Show Me Qualifier. 15 Gold's 6-2 system was a perfect fit for Sumner's skillset, and the 2026 middle solidified her attacking strength in front of the setter. That materialized into a starting prep role with Elkhorn South, where Sumner posted one of the best hitting efficiencies in Nebraska's sophomore class. Get ready for more with 16 Gold.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["257188"],"_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":"Stehlik's 2024 ascent will start with a new club. The Platteview prep star is making the move to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] and will lock down the net for the club's top 16s team. We have to be excited about what Stehlik can do this year after the way she ended 2023 with the Trojans. Platteview soared into the state tournament behind their sophomore middle blocker's quick arm, and Stehlik is due for a similar splash on the national stage.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["253934"],"_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":"Premier Nebraska gets another rising star on the board. Erwin will represent Premier 16 Black this year and brings some game-changing length to the middle blocker spot. We've seen her thrive in every venue imaginable, including our Prep Dig showcase events. 2023 was also her breakout year with Millard South, as Erwin eclipsed two kills per set and led the team in blocks by a huge margin. A bid-earning triumph might be in store this year with a lot of talent surrounding Erwin along the net.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349451"],"_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":"Blankenau's high-impact 2023 season with Nebraska Elite landed her on the watch list, and she's back with the club in 2024. She was one of the many Gretna athletes who moved to Gretna East last fall, and the Griffins gave their sophomore middle plenty of starting reps in Year 1. That valuable experience will serve Blankenau well with a Nebraska Elite team that's looking for major progress at the 16s level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a9f2dc33de9"} /-->