Easter Special: Nebraska 2026s Showing Big “Hops” This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Easter Bunny would be proud of this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This spring holiday usually evokes images of colorful eggs and the Easter Bunny hopping about. I'm not sure how that all came to be, but I'm happy to run with it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyway, I figured we'd use the Easter Bunny as our inspiration to "leap" into a holiday feature. We're at the tail end of our post-update coverage for our rankings updates, but we still could cover a little more ground. So, why not hunt down a few more players showing the best hops this club season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're here to discuss any player who is quick off the floor or rises way above the net tape--or both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253923"],"_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":"Here's one player we can't wait to see at next week's Show Me Qualifier. Branson's prep success hasn't been limited to Shelton High School, where she has been one of Nebraska's leading kill producers since 2022. Her high-flying game has made waves with South Central NE, particularly during last year's 15s campaign. We saw Branson reach new heights during a Show Me championship run and a podium finish at GJNC. Expect this small-town star to keep climbing in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["275965"],"_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":"Here's another South Central selection. Perdew is a bit of a wildcard pick given her multi-positional impact on the prep circuit. Her athleticism makes her a can't-miss outside hitter with Nebraska Christian, where she helped the team reach the state tournament as a freshman. However, Perdew's has also adapted to a setter role with South Central NE, and big-time success has followed. This player has a lot more than just u0022hops.u0022","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["184283"],"_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":"The Freeman Falcons can fly. Johansen made serious gains last fall, and it's all showing up with Premier Nebraska in 2024. Like many of the players on this feature, Johansen has a malleable positional role with her club team. Premier 16 Red has harnessed her quickness at the middle blocker spot, leading to plenty of highlight moments in Minneapolis. Johansen also has an extensive background at opposite and has a high jump touch off of two feet. The sky is the limit.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349409"],"_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":"Many of Ortmeier's sky-high moments come off of one foot. She's the kind of dynamic slide attacker that will even run routes behind the setter in three-hitter rotations. Last fall's championship experience with Omaha Skutt Catholic was incredibly valuable, and Ortmeier is due to rise in the 2026 hierarchy. Keep an eye on Premier 16 Black's up-and-coming talent.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["276190"],"_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":"Let's visit Nebraska Elite. Boone's ascent reached a new peak at NLQ, where she showed her potential as a right-side hitter. We knew about Boone's extensive middle blocker background, but this was another unexpected wrinkle that raises her stock further. She is an ideal focal point for Nebraska Elite's crossing patterns and combination plays, giving opposing defenses a lot to think about in sideout situations.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349476"],"_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":"Eggerling keeps find a new gear for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black. She's an in-system asset and an out-of-system outlet at the same time. Her film from NLQ shows plenty of over-the-top kills in which Eggerling simply negated the block in front of her. That's the benefit of a high contact point, and this Crete prep star is ready to go higher.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["253933"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite will get multiple mentions on this one. Svendsen is a multi-year standout for this group who has oscillated between middle blocker and outside hitter. Regardless of position, this is a setter's best friend with a huge attacking window. Slower sets are an ideal way to wield Svendsen's long reach, and we watched that materialize during last weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349455"],"_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":"Gustafson knows how to rise up and terminate. That's why this [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black attacker has risen up the 2026 rankings, too. Gustafson has embraced a hybrid role as a middle blocker and a right-side hitter, depending on which rotation 16 Black is in. Either way, this athlete's explosiveness has skyrocketed over the past several months, and her development is just getting started.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349484"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"We need some left-handed representation in this feature, and Bellamy is ready to bring it. This [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite attacker has the rare ability to play on the left side while also being left-handed. Of course, Bellamy is also getting plenty of reps at opposite and shows off her range there. 16 Elite has a lot to build upon after last weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier, especially with Bellamy reaching higher and higher.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["276194"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Bassett is one of several quick, rangy outside hitters on Nebraska Elite's top 16s squad. Pay close attention to where Bassett lands in the starting lineup in any given match. She thrived on the right pin during the Midwest Power League but moved to the left for NLQ. Bassett's elevation makes her an impact player at any position, and we're excited to see how the narrative evolves over the next few weeks.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66077aeeec1fc"} /-->