Pin Hitters Moving Up in the Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one's for the pin hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we started rolling out our player-based features on the updated <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska Class of 2026 rankings</a>. Our first subject was <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/03/setters-on-the-rise-in-the-nebraska-2026-rankings/">rising setters</a>, many of whom are off to a blazing start in this year's club season. Today's feature will stick with players climbing the 2026 list, but pin hitters are now the focus. Outside attackers and opposites are both fair game for this one. That means we have a lot of names to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349479"],"_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":"Sure, Behrns only moved up one spot compared to the previous iteration of the 2026 rankings. At the same time, claiming the #2 overall spot is bound to garner some attention. She's another one of [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s star 2026s who made the high-profile move up to 17 Elite. Behrns has embraced a right-side hitter role with the team after excelling at both pins at the 15s level last year. Playing up an age group has only bolstered Behrns' case as one of Nebraska's most prolific terminators in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["396756"],"_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":"We're sticking with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] for our next few entries. Bowen is next in line after boosting her stock with VCN 16 Black in early-season competition. She is separating herself as a dominant right-side hitter who can post double-digit kills in any given match. Her length and high contact point have presented tough matchups for opposing teams, particularly at last month's ASICS Presidents' Day Classic. Bowen doesn't need in-system looks to get her kills, so 16 Black will frequently look to their right-side hitter to make the most of scramble plays. Opposites are finding their groove at VCN.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["231947"],"_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":"Here's one for the left sides. Haase posted big numbers for Exeter-Milligan/Friend during the 2023 high school season, so she was already poised for big gains in 2024. This outside hitter's impact is not exclusive to her offensive output. Haase plays all the way around for VCN 16 Elite and will readily pass a large portion of the court in serve receive. These all-around skills are coveted at VCN, and the club has another pin hitter who can do it all.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["486918"],"_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":"Boyer joins the fray at [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] after a standout sophomore season at Columbus Lakeview. This powerhouse high school program brings a few gems into the VCN camp, and 16 Black is glad to have such a versatile outside hitter. Boyer is a staple of 16 Black's offense while also chipping in as a primary passer. She can even take on backcourt roles and don the libero jersey when needed. We'll see which role prevails when Boyer and 16 Black embark on a series of high-stakes tournaments over the next few weeks.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["292243"],"_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":"Bartling was one of those can't-miss outside hitters from the season's first two Midwest Power League weekends. When Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi needed a kill, Bartling was going to see her opportunities. She hits a heavy crosscourt ball while also having the range to turn down the line. Opposing teams also have to track Bartling's aggressive pipe swings from the back row. The next few weeks will offer an important litmus test on many of Nebraska Elite's top 2026 attackers.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["497412"],"_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":"Tichota keeps climbing. This left-side hitter was Yutan's unstoppable force last fall as the Chieftans climbed to the Class C2 quarterfinals. Small-town success has now translated to standout club performances for Tichota, who is another one of Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi's dominant outside attackers. Her exponential growth over the past several months has been a catalyst for her similarly rapid climb in the 2026 rankings.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["226172"],"_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":"Left-handed opposites are a prized commodity, so that's already one thing working in Rogokos' favor. This high-flying hitter has been a leading scorer in the Premier Nebraska gym ever since her team earned a 15 USA bid last spring. Rogokos often surprises opposing teams with where she chooses to attack, and she often works right around the hands in front of her. She can even play stout backcourt defense, giving Premier 16 Black a rare all-around option on the right side.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["253925"],"_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":"Liebentritt's crosscourt hammer is tough to stop. She's scoring at an incredible rate for Premier 16 Black, even against tough competition at events like Triple Crown NIT. We've seen Liebentritt excel at almost any frontcourt position imaginable, but her latest dominance has been on the left side. This role also allows Liebentritt to exhibit her development as a backcourt defender and primary passer. 16 Black's ceiling keeps climbing with this outside hitter finding her stride.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349405"],"_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":"It doesn't matter if Dickerson hits in the front row or plays across the back as a defensive specialist. She'll find a way to make an impact. Premier 16 Red has used their versatile outside hitter in both roles lately, allowing us to get a complete look at Dickerson's adaptable skillset. Either way, this is an attacker you want to keep in the serve receive pattern to strength the team's passing. Dickerson's hitting prowess is an added bonus, too.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["349417"],"_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":"Nienaber's electric arm has been revelation for Premier 16 Silver. This versatile athlete has past experience as a defensive specialist, but it's hard to keep Nienaber's explosive attacks out of the frontcourt. She gets on top of the ball quickly and is unstoppable when given a window down the line. 16 Silver's firepower helps exhibit the depth of talent in Nebraska's Class of 2026, and the season is only just getting started.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["349455"],"_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":"Gustafson's unique role with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black allows her to showcase extraordinary attacking range. In some rotations, Gustafson will act as a traditional opposite who attacks off two feet from the right pin. Then, she'll run patterns in the middle and terminate on the quick. She'll even hit slides off of one foot. While Gustafson is listed as an opposite, that description only scratches the surface of what she's capable of in the frontcourt. 16 Black is loaded with multi-talented gems.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0f50d03161"} /-->