Which Players Are Ready to Join the First Nebraska 2027 Rankings?
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Let’s take a quick peek into the future. Over the past week, we’ve been reviewing some of the updates to our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. Our intro piece for this update mentioned that we’re closing in on our…
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Continue ReadingLet’s take a quick peek into the future.
Over the past week, we’ve been reviewing some of the updates to our Nebraska Class of 2027 watch list. Our intro piece for this update mentioned that we’re closing in on our first set of rankings for this group, even if we’re still in the watch list stage right now. The size of our initial ranked list is to be determined, but we already see some 2027s separating themselves on the biggest stages.
Here’s an inside look at a few players we expect to be in the first Nebraska 2027 rankings. This is far from an exhaustive list, but these names have popped up again and again over the past several months. Early statements have been made.
*Listed in alphabetical order by last name
Bails made an early impression with Papillion-La Vista South last fall–a major accomplishment for a freshman at a volleyball powerhouse. She is sure to bring a similar impact throughout her tenure in the Premier Nebraska gym. It all starts this year as 15 Gold hunts down its Open bid.
No surprises here, right? Boesiger has been in the spotlight for a long time by virtue of playing up two age groups with Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy. Her outstanding command of the setter spot could be considered a continuation of a family tradition. That extends to Boesiger’s prep impact with Norris, as she took the reins last fall in her debut season. The best is yet to come.
Here’s another Norris athlete to keep an eye on. Bornschlegl provided plenty of firepower off the Titan bench as Norris tabbed another appearance in the Class B title match. Breaking into the varsity roster as a freshman is an accomplishment in itself, but Bornschlegl put down some important kills throughout the 2023 season. She’s now representing VCNebraska 15 Elite and has all the skills to be a six-rotation threat. Triple Crown NIT was a breakout tournament for Bornschlegl, who is due to find her spot in the 2027 rankings.
Eilenstine has been on our radar since she displayed her quick arm at one of our Prep Dig Showcase events. That was before she began her high school career with Elkhorn South, where she earned plenty of starting time as a freshman. This year’s club season has offered another reminder of how quickly Eilenstine can take over matches on the left side. Premier 15 Gold has a good one.
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Early standouts can come from anywhere. Ervin hails from Ogallala and was a dominant force when we visited the Harvest Festival Invite last September. She can adapt to playing in the middle or on the right side, as we’ve seen during her club tenure with Nebraska Juniors.
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Herian has brought her best to the biggest stages. She immediately became one of Pierce High School’s leading terminators as the Bluejays reached the Class C1 state semifinals. As if that wasn’t good enough, Herian then dominated on the club side as Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution clinched a 15 Open bid at NLQ. This is a can’t-miss outside hitter who will undoubtedly find a spot in our rankings.
Let’s bring out another one of our NLQ standouts. Jacobson donned the libero jersey during Premier 15 Black’s rise to the 15 USA crown in Minneapolis. We didn’t know a lot about Jacobson heading into the club season, but she made sure to grab our attention in early 2024. The rankings will have plenty of room for big-time liberos.
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Judson brings show-stopping athleticism to the middle blocker position. That propelled her to a prominent role with Papio South last fall, and she was able to match up with the most physical teams in the state. Premier 15 Gold is getting even more out of Judson this spring as her frontcourt skills keep expanding.
The Star City always has its share of talented setters. Kroll made her freshman debut with Lincoln North Star and showed a mature ability to guide an offense. She has similarly taken the reins with VCNebraska 15 Black and can adapt to any system the team deploys. Kroll will be in the spotlight for a while.
The Lauenstein name is back on Nebraska’s prep scene. Hallie brings a wicked right arm at the outside hitter spot and put up big numbers for Waverly’s 2023 squad. The narrative keeps evolving with VCNebraska 15 Elite, where Lauenstein is a true six-rotation scoring threat. Her development is about to skyrocket.
Of course, we have the Lauenstein dual threat. Gracie can play on either pin but has recently found her stride at opposite for VCNebraska. Her stock has risen considerably after dominating against top-tier competition at Triple Crown NIT. The future is bright, and we’re seeing double!
Mauch is another recognizable surname with a big stake in the 2027 class. This latest iteration became one of Bennington’s starting setters as the Badgers earned another bid in the Class B semifinals. We’ve also seen Mauch run the offense for two different Premier Nebraska 15s teams–and she even had a fill-in stint with the 18s. She’s ready for the spotlight no matter what age group she’s in.
McLeay’s multi-position experience puts her among the most fascinating athletes in this group. She can go across the frontcourt as an outside hitter and crank out some huge crosscourt swings. However, her libero reps with Premier 15 Gold might reveal her future impact at the position. The back row suits McLeay’s aggressive style, too.
The “playing up” discussion returns for this imposing middle blocker. Meyers ascends an age group to compete with South Central NE 16 Black, and we already know this is a worthy move. Last year, it yielded a 15 Liberty championship at the Show Me Qualifier and a podium finish at GJNC. This Superior prep athlete brings outstanding length and is a go-to scoring option in transition. Small-town Nebraska is bringing some heavy hitters in this class, and our search is only just starting.
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Phillips is making moves among a stacked field of Omaha-area athletes. This middle blocker knows the rigors of Class A competition after putting together quality reps with Millard South. That translated to a big role with Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution, a team that brings a lot of players to this feature. We’ll see how Phillips performs against the nation’s best when her team heads to GJNC this summer.
Sanders brings an absolute cannon on the left side. You could argue she was the most valuable attacker in NLQ’s 15 USA division, especially after Premier 15 Black clinched its well-earned title in the division. This club season offered our first look at Sanders, and we’re prepared to elevate her into our initial rankings based on what we’ve seen.
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Setter or middle blocker? This question has become a common thread for more than one of Lincoln Lutheran’s volleyball standouts. Sidlo has excelled at both positions and garnered championship experience with the Warriors last year. Her role with VCNebraska 15 Elite keeps adapting. She can set, play middle blocker, or act as a vital serving sub depending on the starting lineup. The possibilities are endless.
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Snider’s setting was a catalyst for Nebraska Elite’s 15 Open triumph this January, but that’s not the only impactful skill in her arsenal. We also saw her carve up opposing passers with her serve, turning the tides in many crucial matches in Minneapolis. Snider is bound to become an impact player with Omaha Westside and can even play DS if needed.
Thayer-Mencke’s ascent continues after she amassed triple-digit kills in her first season with Fort Calhoun. She has spent time in the middle or on the right side, a common dual role for young attackers. The opposite position took precedence as Thayer-Mencke helped Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution win its NLQ championship. Another step in the right direction.
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Wallraff has shaken up the entire 2027 landscape since she made the move from Arizona. She compiled a staggering 2023 kill total with Elkhorn North that was among the state’s best in any class. This feat was even more impressive considering Wallraff was a middle blocker playing mostly across the front row. However, we’ve seen her backcourt reps increase, especially as a pin-middle hybrid with Premier 15 Gold. Wallraff is the kind of transformative athlete you can’t take off the floor, and the club season has proven that.
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Waters is a quintessential do-it-all player in Nebraska’s 2027 class. She primarily shouldered a right-side hitter role last fall during Gretna East’s inaugural volleyball season. That campaign ended with a trip to the state tournament, so we already had Waters on the watch list before 2024. The scouting report has expanded since then, as Waters is now one of the primary setters for Premier 15 Gold. Setter-opposites always seem to put on a show, and this versatile athlete fits the mold.