Nebraska 2027 Watch List Update: New Additions (Pt. 2)
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Keep adding to the list. Yesterday, we rolled out Part 1 of our discussion of the new names on our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. We told you that we had a lot of additions in this update, so…
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Yesterday, we rolled out Part 1 of our discussion of the new names on our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. We told you that we had a lot of additions in this update, so the beat goes on.
Part 2 is here.
Flynn represents the next in line at Bennington, a program that is starting to assert itself as a Class B powerhouse. The Badgers boast a strong history at the middle blocker spot, and Flynn’s physicality is sure to be an asset in future seasons. Her upcoming club season with Nebraska Elite will tell us even more about Flynn’s potential to rise up the 2027 ladder.
Duncan is one of a few 2027 additions from our latest Prep Dig Top 250 Expo event in December. The freshman defender proved her ability to lock down the serve receive pattern in any zone while providing similar value with transition digs. Duncan’s prep future is with Papillion-La Vista, which is no stranger to talented liberos.
How about another showcase standout? Not only does Sortino bring six-rotation potential from the outside hitter spot, but she’s representing a Clarkson/Leigh team that is seeing its greatest volleyball success in program history. A new-look Patriot roster in 2024 could include Sortino in a variety of positions.
Capece is gearing up for a big club season with Premier Nebraska, and we’re going to learn a lot about the 15s in the next few months. This Omaha Marian product has already landed on our radar after her showcase performances, where her all-around skills were put on display. So, whether Capece is in a DS role or hitting in the frontcourt, she’s about to write another chapter in her scouting report.
Highlights
Welcome to the spotlight. The 2023 state tournament had plenty of freshman standouts, but few were as impactful as Herian. The Pierce outside hitter was a go-to option as the Bluejays battled to the C1 semifinals. Her dominance was not a fluke, as Herian piled up nearly 300 kills in the regular season to help Pierce to a 30-3 record. Her next stop is with Nebraska Elite to represent the club’s top 15s team.
We’re about to get on a run of small-town talents in this feature. It starts in Mullen, where Licking led the charge from the setter spot. She was not the only freshman starter for the 2023 Broncos, either, so keep an eye on this group in future seasons.
Forney immediately cracked the lineup for Harvard this year, tallying triple-digit totals in kills and digs. She was the team’s leader in both categories, giving the Cardinals something to build around for the next few seasons. We’re ready to watch it all play out.
Malcom falls into the same category as Forney: a team-leading freshman who is bound to be a focal point for the rest of her career. The Haymakers had some veteran leaders to lean on in 2023, but Malcom kept pace with all of those players in the kill column. This is likely the prelude to a big uptick in production in 2024, prompting us to include the Cozad middle blocker on our watch list.
Obermiller is the next player featured on our small-town journey. The Arcadia/Loup City freshman neared triple-digit kills and made the most of her opportunities to demonstrate all-around ball control skills. The Rebels were not afraid to wield some young talent last fall, so 2024 could be an inflection point.
Ansley/Litchfield’s 2023 team had a freshman who could do a little bit of everything. Bailey is listed as an outside hitter, middle blocker, and even a setter, but perhaps her biggest contribution last fall was on the defensive end. She amassed nearly three-and-a-half digs per set, all while carrying a consistent role in the frontcourt. Six-rotation readiness is apparent here.
We’re heading all the way to southwestern Nebraska to visit McCook. The Bison debuted a strong freshman middle blocker last fall, as Crawford finished third on the team in kills and had a team-best 30 blocks. Despite her youth, Crawford quickly became a dominant force with her length and high contact point. Expect that to continue.
Maywood/Hayes Center has seen its share of recent tournament appearances, and Softley might be the foundation to get the Wolves back in the hunt. This dynamic frontcourt attacker exceeded two kills per set with the squad’s second-best individual hitting percentage. Most of Maywood/Hayes Center’s lineup returns in 2024, and more development from Softley could be a difference-maker toward that tournament push.
Ravenna brought a stout freshman into the spotlight with Morrow approaching two kills per set in her prep debut. She’s the kind of attacker who can make her presence felt in the middle but will also hit slower tempos on the outside when needed. We’ll watch this versatility flourish with the Bluejays over the next few seasons.
Part 2 concludes with Louisville’s effective terminator on the right side. Versen finished the 2023 season with two kills per set–a solid amount of volume for a first-year player on the right side. We’re used to seeing gems emerge from the small towns between Lincoln and Omaha, and Versen could be another one.