Nebraska 2027 Watch List Update: Ball Control Gems to Watch
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Let’s move into the backcourt. Yesterday, we featured a few Class of 2027 frontcourt attackers that we’ll be watching during the club season. It was our way of discussing some emerging players who have been on our radar for a…
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Continue ReadingLet’s move into the backcourt.
Yesterday, we featured a few Class of 2027 frontcourt attackers that we’ll be watching during the club season. It was our way of discussing some emerging players who have been on our radar for a while and are finally ready to enter our club coverage spotlight. Our focus remains the same today, but it’s time for setters and defensive specialists.
You already know Nebraska has some rising stars at these positions.
Kroll’s emergence in the 2027 watch list was spurred by her incredible leadership with Lincoln North Star last fall. The freshman setter had ample opportunities to pilot the Gator offense, even with experienced players alongside her at the setter spot. Her role might be even bigger with VCNebraska 15 Elite, a group that is already generating some excitement on the 15s scene. When we get our first look at this team, Kroll will likely be a focal point.
Moser garnered some varsity experience with Waverly as the Vikings continued their long streak of postseason appearances. The Vikings primarily wielded Moser along the end line as a serving specialist. This strategy frequently paid dividends as Moser forced teams out of system while tallying over 30 aces throughout the 2023 campaign. We’ll now watch Moser flourish as a setter for VCNebraska , a club known for its talented distributors.
Mauch is one of the select few 2027s that we’ve already watched on the club stage. She played up with Premier Nebraska’s top 15s group last year and helped the team clinch a hard-fought GJNC bid in Kansas City. The team leaned on a two-setter system throughout the season, where Mauch thrived as a setter who could distribute and play stout defense at the same time. We’re anxious to see how the dynamics shift in 2024 as Mauch stays down with this year’s 15s team. New teammates, same mission.
Snider belongs on our 2027 watch list, and her pure setting skills tell only part of the story. The Omaha Westside freshman stepped into the starting lineup after injuries forced another Warrior shuffle. Not many first-year players are built to handle the pressure of filling in for a program with such lofty expectations. However, Snider’s transition to the floor was seamless and culminated in a Class A semifinal appearance. Her next stop is at Nebraska Elite, where she has a great chance to develop further.
Let’s get back to this year’s Premier 15 Gold squad. McLeay brings an extensive background as an outside hitter, but her primary role with 15 Gold is in the libero jersey. It’s a worthy move. The Omaha Marian product has extraordinary instincts and is particularly good at covering any tips into the campfire. Early-season scrimmages also showed McLeay’s willingness to dig some heat against the region’s most physical frontcourts. Look out for this emerging defender.
VCNebraska 15 Elite could flex some serious strength in the ball control phase. Lottman bolsters the team’s backcourt with some tremendous finesse on first contact, particularly in serve receive. We haven’t seen Lottman’s step into the Norris lineup yet, but her time in the prep spotlight is coming. For now, we’ll use the 2024 club season as our first opportunity to get a feel for Lottman’s command of the back row.
Bennington High School was not afraid to mix up its lineups in 2023, and Schroeder was part of that equation at the DS position. The Badgers primarily used Schroeder as a middle-back defender, and the freshman looked incredibly comfortable in such an important role. And, like many Bennington prep athletes, Schroeder is gearing up to make a big splash in the club season. Her destination is Nebraska Elite, which has some big goals to chase at the 15s level.