Middle Blockers Gaining Ground in the Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More middle blockers enter the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just addressed a talented group of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/03/new-middle-blockers-in-the-nebraska-2026-rankings/">middles making their debut</a> in the <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska 2026 rankings</a>. Now, it's time to pivot to the athletes who just climbed the list after our latest update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stock risers are all over the Class of 2026 landscape, and these middle blockers are paving the way at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275936"],"_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":"Erb's electric arm has propelled her to the top of Nebraska's 2026 hierarchy among middle blockers. She's a quick, dynamic attacker whose lateral quickness opens up scoring windows on the slide. Erb has also excelled as a pin attacker at Columbus High School and brings enough heat to score from anywhere. Keep an eye on this high-flying athlete as Premier 16 Gold chases its Open bid.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["275897"],"_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":"Thaden continues her ascent with Nebraska Elite. Her physical presence has anchored the net for the club's top 16s team, and Thaden is only getting better with more experience. Not only will she put up a wall in the blocking phase, but this Millard West prospect is developing a lethal slide attack to expand Nebraska Elite 16-1's offense. That range will be vital as Thaden's team spars with some of the nation's best at upcoming qualifiers.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["257188"],"_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":"Stehlik is one of several new standouts in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym. She made a big impression during last fall's state tournament as Platteview High School showed some serious frontcourt firepower in Lincoln. 2024 has brought another opportunity for Stehlik to make a big statement. Her debut season with VCN 16 Elite has been a successful one, and it has also revealed Stehlik's willingness to move beyond the middle blocker spot. Her recent pin reps have shown that Stehlik can do whatever is necessary to aid her team.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["298712"],"_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":"Rowe joins Stehlik to form a lethal combination for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. We've seen a lot of VCN middle blockers thrive on the 'gap' set away from the setter, and Rowe is the next one in line. Her aptitude on this route give opposing blockers a lot of trouble. Rowe will also put up a blocking clinic of her own to bolster 16 Elite's stingy defense. Columbus Lakeview is bringing an emerging star into the club spotlight.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["275902"],"_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":"Sumner is just beginning her ascent in the 2026 rankings. She has flourished with Premier 16 Gold this season while hitting for massive efficiency numbers in front of the setter. The Elkhorn South prep athlete has also demonstrated her versatility as an opposite, giving 16 Gold a wealth of lineup combinations in the frontcourt. Put Sumner anywhere along the net and she's bound to succeed.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["276190"],"_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":"Boone is capable of scoring with power or finesse. Shot placement is an underrated skill among middle blockers, and Boone has that smart touch that can make the most of any set. She's also an ideal 'M1' who stretches out defenses with her slide prowess. Nebraska Elite 16-1 shined at the most recent Midwest Power League, so we were bound to add some stock risers from this group. Boone joins the fray today.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349464"],"_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":"Suljuzovic is a major spark plug in the Club Legacy 16 Alpha lineup. We've documented the team's recent success at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic, and we have to give some credit to the attackers up front. Suljuzovic is quick off the floor and can work around any block that's in front of her. We look forward to her many future accomplishments with Club Legacy and on the prep side with Omaha Marian.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349451"],"_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":"Blankenau is a scoring machine in first-ball situations. She takes slow sets and turns them into floor-denting kills in front of the setter. Quick footwork is another plus of Blankenau's game, which also helps her close any seams in the block. Nebraska Elite 16-2 is gaining traction after a series of impressive regional outings.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["396748"],"_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":"MacLeod remains a force for Banzai VBC. Her 2023 club season was a head-turner as she took over the front row for her talented squad. MacLeod is the kind of middle blocker who can double as an outside hitter when Banzai needs an instant sideout. Her high contact point is a strong outlet for that role, and we'll see MacLeod expand her arsenal as the year goes on.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["476960"],"_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":"We've now had a full glimpse of Caskey's year-round dominance. She immediately drew our eye when she competed with Ogallala High School at the Harvest Festival Invite. That small-town venue revealed the true scope of Caskey's physicality at the middle blocker spot. She's now bringing that strength to Nebraska Juniors, but it's showing up on the right pin, too.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["216933"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Add one more to the Premier Nebraska count. Freeland is another one of those multi-talented hitters who can slot into the middle or on the pin. Her production doesn't waver no matter what role she's in, and 16 Red takes full advantage of this. Elkhorn High School has a leader for the future, but Freeland currently has unfinished business in the 2024 club season.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f525f1c15ff"} /-->