Nebraska 2026 Rankings Update: New Additions (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The features roll on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've recently updated our Nebraska rankings for 2024s and 2025s, and a ton of new additions came along with those updates. Now, the Class of 2026 is in the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New additions are coming from around the map for this one, so let's get right into Part 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["497394"],"_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":"Why not start with one of Class C2's most terminal attackers? Tichota was an obvious addition to the 2026 rankings after she led Yutan with over 300 kills while also putting up a team-best 350 digs in the regular season. That's some six-rotation impact. The Chieftans earned the #4 seed in last fall's tournament behind their high-flying sophomore superstar, thrusting Tichota directly into our ranked list in the 2026 class. We were amazed by all the ways Yutan got Tichota involved, and she'll likely put up even bigger numbers as an upperclassman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["497273"],"_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":"Look out for Conestoga's next stat-stuffing star in the frontcourt. Fiene was exceptional in multiple categories with 3.5 kills per set and a 0.222 hitting efficiency on some serious volume. It's not hard to see why Fiene was successful, as her length and fluid approach allow her to hit above almost any block in front of her. This gives Fiene free reign to hit almost any angle, making her nearly impossible to defend. The Cougars will keep taking advantage of this physical dominance.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["497397"],"_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":"We're returning to Class C2 for our next entry. Our prior discussions on Crofton have mentioned the Warriors' strength at middle blocker, and Janssen was a major part of that equation in 2023. She easily surpassed 150 kills as a sophomore and was equally impressive in the blocking category. Crofton's middle blockers were comfortable hitting slower tempos, and that allowed Janssen to make full use of her high contact point. We'll see if this youth movement can usher in a new era of volleyball success after Crofton earned its first state tournament berth since 2016.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["497400"],"_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":"Class C2 is running the show so far. Goudie is another outside hitter who took a huge step forward in 2023, and she did it with an Elmwood-Murdock program that always expects to be a postseason contender. The sophomore ranked third on the team in kills and took plenty of touches in floor defense and serve receive. It's a testament to Goudie's potential to be a six-rotation contributor, especially since the Knights put considerable emphasis on ball control. Elmwood-Murdock has a future leader in those areas.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["476960"],"_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":"Caskey captured our attention when we covered Ogallala at the Harvest Festival Invite. She was an incredibly disruptive blocker against some of the best offenses that central Nebraska had to offer. Before long, Caskey also emerged as an offensive weapon who tallied over two kills per set, many of which were on the 'quick' in front of the setter. The Indians will be leaning on a few new faces next year, and Caskey can be the next frontcourt trendsetter as a junior.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["486918"],"_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":"Speaking of central Nebraska talent, we always have to keep an eye on Columbus Lakeview. This is where we find Boyer, a multi-talented athlete who can stand out at more than one position. Her most recent reps with the Vikings were at outside hitter, where Boyer hit with plenty of range and tooled blocks with great efficiency. However, it's hard not to hone in on Boyer's backcourt work, as she has a knack for diming digs along the end line and can do it in any zone. She compiled nearly four digs per set while carrying her dual attacking role, and we're excited to see where Boyer plays in future seasons.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["497275"],"_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":"Wayne is on the board with an emerging outside hitter to follow. Kramer tallied well over 200 kills in her sophomore campaign and put up comparable numbers on the defensive end, too. The Blue Devils frequently battled with teams who eventually made the state tournament, and Kramer was never daunted by this tough competition. Rather, she elevated her game and gave reason to believe that Wayne could be on the rise in 2024.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["497280"],"_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":"Burwell gets a shoutout after breaking through to claim the #8 seed in Class D1. Smith took part in a balanced Longhorn offense and was particularly effective on the right pin. A 200-kill sophomore season has been a formula to get on these rankings, and we were even more impressed with Smith's tangible skills in the state tournament. Players like this can transform the fortunes of a program, and Burwell demonstrated that by making its first state volleyball tournament of the 21st century.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6596481508978"} /-->