2026 Setters Poised for Big Gains this Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're ready to take on the club season. It's time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we prepare to cover the club campaign from several different angles, we're already assembling a list of players that we'll be watching closely in early-season action. Many of these athletes have serious gain potential during the 2024 club season. So, let's give you an inside look at our growing list of must-watch names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 setters enter the spotlight first. It's a group that can rewrite narratives this spring, and we're anxious to watch the story unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349407"],"_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":"Faust was one of our earliest Class of 2026 stock risers when we covered last year's club season. It was hard not to notice her leadership skills as she led Premier Nebraska 15 Black to a GJNC bid at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Faust proved that she was adaptable enough to set in a 6-2 system or run the show herself in a 5-1. Regardless of which lineup is deployed in 2024, this versatile setter has a chance to run it back with Premier 16 Black and claim the 2026 hierarchy in the process.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349450"],"_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":"Bartholet will wear new club colors in 2024 and represent Premier Nebraska 16 Red. This venue change will offer an opportunity to expand our scouting report on this emerging 2026 setter. She has been a prior standout at Prep Dig showcases, where Bartholet showed her knack for setting against the grain and spreading the ball around. Her lethal set-over attacks will be worth watching, too.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["349467"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] will get a couple of athletes on the board here. Dutcher has already shown that she's dialed into the 2024 season after early-season scrimmages. This dynamic setter solidified her spot in the 2026 database after running the show at Omaha Gross Catholic, and that positive momentum should yield more gains on the club side. Dutcher's strong hands and defensive instincts will ensure that ball control remains a strength in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["402589"],"_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":"Our next [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] entry was another sophomore starter in the Omaha metro. Homan garnered recognition as she ran the Bellevue East offense and contributed in a variety of other areas, too. Now, it's time to bring the same energy to [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'], which has seen plenty of recent success with Class of 2026 athletes. Last year's 15s impressed us, and Homan is ready to deliver more highlight moments at the 16s level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["345147"],"_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":"Next stop: Nebraska Elite. McMahon capitalized on a strong 2023 club season to enter our rankings, and the stakes will ramp up again this year. She's a natural on-court leader who aids her team's offense and defense at the same time. This setter is accustomed to racking up digs in the right back area and can also get physical along the net. McMahon's performances at the 16s level will tell us a lot about her development with Nebraska Elite.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["251144"],"_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":"You'll have to look up to the 17s level for this one. Eckman is poised for a big breakthrough with a [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite team that's loaded with talent at every position. It will be easy to forget that Eckman is a year younger than her peers when you watch her command the setter spot for this team. Her time in the prep spotlight is quickly approaching, but Eckman is due for an exciting club season before we get there.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["219728"],"_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":"She's the setter who can do it all. Hengelfelt is used to wearing a few different hats on the volleyball court, and that applies to her tenures with both Cross County High School and [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. We know she can spread the ball around as a pure setter, but Hengelfelt has spent ample time as a frontcourt pin hitter who can tally clutch kills. Time to find out which role prevails in 2024.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["464659"],"_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":"Let's put South Central NE on the board. VanSkiver is a fascinating prospect who has spent time at both libero and setter, so keep an eye on that multi-dimensional skillset this spring. Her Hastings St. Cecilia prep team has been on the rise lately, and VanSkiver's high school numbers were a motivating factor toward her inclusion in the rankings. The club season is another chance to raise her stock even further.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a837b45a1e7"} /-->