Stock-Rising Liberos Digging into the Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can't leave out the liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our analysis of the <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">updated Nebraska 2026 rankings</a> has covered a lot of ground. On the stock-riser front, we've addressed pin hitters, middle blockers, and setters this week. That leaves a talented group of defenders ready for the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring it to them. Liberos get their due credit today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275896"],"_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":"Dyrstad remains the at the top of the order among Nebraska's 2026 liberos. Her command over the Premier 16 Gold backcourt never wavers, and we'd expect that same consistency when the team hits the qualifier trail. Dyrstad has also logged multiple seasons as the starting libero for Papillion-La Vista South, a school with an extraordinary history of high-level success. The best is yet to come for Dyrstad as she follows a family tradition of lockdown defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["276191"],"_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":"Estudillo is another recognizable surname in Nebraska's libero lore. Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi has flexed its ball-control might in early-season events, and Estudillo is frequently in the middle of it all. She commands the middle-back area in serve receive and can ease those passing burdens off of the outside hitters. This allows Nebraska Elite's offense to run at full speed. Standout passers always deserve credit for helping their team operate, and Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi has one of the state's best.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["464932"],"_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":"Bellevue West is set at the libero position. Berger was a can't-miss talent at last year's state tournament, where she brought awe-inspiring defensive range and a ton of improbable digs. She's an impact player for Banzai VBC, which is no stranger to bringing in standout defenders. This libero will be a player to watch as we approach regional championships and the all-important GPR Bid Tournament.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349472"],"_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":"Myers has already earned her share of accolades on Nebraska's prep scene. She racked up one of Class A's highest dig totals with Millard South last yearu002du002dquite an accomplishment for a sophomore libero. It's no surprise to see that lockdown defense on the club side with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']. Myers' 16 Navy squad has become a force to be reckoned with in the Great Plains Region, and we're due for more highlight moments in the coming weeks.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["396746"],"_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":"The last several months have been big for Kubat. She handled the pressure of anchoring Omaha Westside's defense as the Warriors made another appearance in the state semifinals. It's not easy to be a sophomore libero in the fiery Class A crucible, but Kubat was ready for the challenge. That valuable experience is now translating to Club Legacy 16 Alpha, a squad with high aspirations after excelling at the Presidents' Day Classic. Kubat reminded us of her defensive prowess at that event, and she's just getting started with the 2024 campaign.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349487"],"_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":"Kopf is a small-town athlete with the skills needed to shine on the big stage. She has made the move up to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite this spring and is dynamic at any backcourt position. She can sub into the middle-back area and become a digging machine in that area. Of course, Kopf also has ample experience in the libero jersey, particularly during last year's 15s season. This Tri-County star is getting the same opportunities with 16 Elite and is climbing the ladder among her 2026 peers.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349483"],"_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":"The [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym has stockpiled some impressive DS talent lately. Wemhoff adds to the growing list after several standout performances with VCN 16 Elite. Her recent reps in the contrasting jersey have revealed Wemhoff's rapid development as a backcourt leader. We've seen her in a primary DS role, but she took a big step forward as the libero during several of 16 Elite's matches at Triple Crown NIT. Regardless of where Wemhoff fits into the lineup, she is sure to find a rhythm and make positive contributions.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349482"],"_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":"Petersen is the kind of libero who can mesh well with any backcourt personnel. We saw that adaptability when she competed at one of our Prep Dig Showcase events, and the same story holds true in the 2024 club season. Petersen is a new addition to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black and has immediately strengthened the team's passing and floor defense. Liberos don't often bring the kind of length that Petersen has. This means 16 Black's libero has plenty of range and can fill a highlight tape with sprawling saves.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349420"],"_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":"When Brandt gets a chance to don the libero jersey, she doesn't waste the opportunity. We saw her libero skills materialize at last month's Midwest Power League, where Brandt dug some serious heat in the crosscourt. The Fremont prep athlete is comfortable with using her hands to snare attacks that are drifting skyward. Even when Brandt is not the libero, she is a sure bet to slot into the Nebraska Elite backcourt in some way. 16 Lokahi gets the most out of their game-changing defender.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f665e3881cc"} /-->