New Middle Blockers in the Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The list keeps expanding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest Nebraska 2026 rankings update has brought plenty of new names into our player database. Yesterday's feature focused on pin hitters making their debut in the rankings. We're staying in the frontcourt for another day and introducing some up-and-coming middle blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a stacked group with a lot to gain in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518567"],"_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":"Furstenau earned a shoutout after Banzai VBC 16 Select's strong performance at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic. This positive development could be the catalyst for even more Banzai VBC athletes to join the list before long. We'll be looking for Furstenau's net dominance to continue with 16 Select and on the prep side with Gretna. She adds to a growing list of Omaha-area athletes who are climbing the ladder in the Class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["518569"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] is next on the docket, and we're excited about what this club is bringing at the 16s level. Ammon is emerging as a persistent scoring threat and a u0022setter's best friendu0022 in the 16 Navy frontcourt. Her length and reach open up a large attacking window, meaning Ammon can make the most of any set she's given. This Blair prep athlete anchors what is arguably the most physical lineup in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym. We're just seeing the beginning of Ammon's development, too.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["518577"],"_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":"South Central NE is bringing the heat today. Adding Vavra was a no-brainer, especially after watching her film from last fall's high school season. This Ord middle blocker can put a lid on any attacker she's matched up with. Vavra's pin-to-pin closing speed is a major asset that bolster's any team she's on. Not only did she light up the scoreboard for Ord, but Vavra is bringing the same impact to South Central NE 16 Red. The 16s age group forms the cornerstone of South Central's recent success, so we have a lot of small-town stars to address in the Class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["518578"],"_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":"Fisher is another under-the-radar prospect who is making her mark on the small-town scene. She has posted triple-digit kills in each of her first two seasons with Sandy Creek High School. Fisher is listed as a middle blocker, but we can also expect this versatile athlete to take some swings on the left side. It's a way to get Fisher as many swings as possible in a variety of situations. South Central NE 16 Red is happy to deploy that strategy, too.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["518580"],"_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":"One more for South Central's count. Like both of her aforementioned teammates, Nuss gives 16 Red some frontcourt adaptability that's not limited to one position. She can anchor the net with her physicality from the middle or the right side. Nuss saw some particularly successful stints at opposite with Sutton last fall. This high school program is becoming a feeder program for the South Central NE gym, and more small-town gems are emerging as a result.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["518584"],"_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":"Premier Nebraska 16 Red brings us a new name for the 2026 list. Smith is a middle-opposite hybrid who is quickly asserting herself at the 16s level. Opposing blockers have a tough time tracking all the routes that Smith can run from point to point. She will run middle quicks in some rotations before splitting out behind the setter to hit from the right. Smith embodies the multi-dimensional offense that makes 16 Red so successful. Let's see if that can carry into qualifiers.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["518588"],"_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 Black pops up again. Becker is a long, fluid athlete with an incredibly high ceiling at the middle blocker position. She makes quick cuts when running her routes, giving Becker a ton of open space to attack. 16 Black now has a lethal slide hitter who can give the team so many important sideouts in two-hitter rotations. That should be the catalyst for future qualifier success, especially after Becker and 16 Black soared to a runner-up finish at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["518593"],"_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":"We'll now address a pair of Nebraska Elite entries. Kaup joins the conversation after a series of strong weekends with Nebraska Elite 16-2. She has a unique ability to tee off on slower sets to the middle, even when she's away from the setter. Kaup almost acts as another outside hitter in this way. But there's little doubt that middle blocker is her native position, and Kaup is delivering some straight-down blocks for Nebraska Elite, too.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["518603"],"_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":"Faughn is on the rise for Nebraska Elite 16-3. This Omaha Burke prep athlete is improving with every major tournament, culminating in a strong outing at last month's Presidents' Day Classic. Faughn development on the 'gap' set near the left pin is particularly encouraging. Whenever Nebraska Elite 16-3 gets a good pass, look for Faughn to get her opportunities along the net.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["518608"],"_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":"Nebraska Juniors is represented by an impressive middle blocker from Grand Island. Gernstein has a knack for reading opposing hitters and putting her hands right in the attacking window. This has been particularly effective against other middle blockers in one-on-one situations. You also have to factor in Gernstein's lateral quickness, with helps her work around hands when she gets a chance to attack. Nebraska Juniors 16 Black is doing its part to bring central Nebraska to the forefront.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f436bb4cc5d"} /-->