Nebraska’s Late-Season Stock Risers: 2026 Liberos
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We have more liberos to talk about. Our late-season stock riser series rolls on. Yesterday’s feature addressed 2025 liberos who have taken a step forward lately, and we’re feeling our DS groove yet again. On to the 2026s. Keep this…
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Continue ReadingWe have more liberos to talk about.
Our late-season stock riser series rolls on. Yesterday’s feature addressed 2025 liberos who have taken a step forward lately, and we’re feeling our DS groove yet again. On to the 2026s.
Keep this group on your radar heading into a pivotal summer stretch for the Class of 2026. It’s almost recruiting season.
Here’s another chance to mention how impactful Konz has been with Premier Nebraska 16 Black. This talented libero has seen the rigors of Open-level competition and is an extraordinary addition to the 16 Black lineup. Konz has extensive experience in the middle-back area and will also don the libero jersey for her squad. Momentum is soaring after 16 Black dominated the Great Plains Bid Tournament, and another GJNC trip is on the way.
Highlights
Nebraska ONE 16 Black has a handful of players who can excel in the libero jersey. Schaedel took on this role in the Midwest Power League’s final weekend and produced plenty of highlight moments. She made quick reads on tips and roll shots while also taking hard-driven balls in the crosscourt. Ball control is usually a strength for Nebraska ONE teams, and 16 Black certainly falls into that category.
This is another Premier Nebraska athlete who has represented different teams over the past couple of years. Zimmerman joined 16 Gold this year and has proven to be worthy of such a high-profile move. She wore the contrasting jersey on several occasions and was prepared to deal with all the terminal attackers you’d expect at an Open qualifier. Zimmerman can also bolster 16 Gold’s Zone 6 defense while being a focal point in serve receive. The Show Me Qualifier brought this team’s big breakthrough, and we could see another triumph in Vegas.
Highlights
We keep adding to this “new team, same success” theme. This time, it’s happening at VCNebraska . Petersen joined the VCN 16 Black crew this year and has transformed the team’s backcourt unit. Last month’s Show Me Qualifier offered another example of how Petersen’s length and range is a game-changer at the libero spot. She puts her platform on balls that are seemingly out of reach and can still deliver them on a dime to her setter. The upcoming prep season is a big one for this Lincoln Southwest standout.
DeLeon was an important figure in Banzai VBC 16 Select’s journey through the GPR Bid Tournament. She passed a lot of serves during this high-stakes tournament, particularly in the right-back area. Transition digging was also where DeLeon shined, as she helped set up 16 Select’s high-powered offense in long rallies. DeLeon and her team have a lot to gain heading into future club seasons.
Highlights
We have to include South Central NE 16 Black’s “lone ranger” at the libero spot. When we discussed 16 Black’s bid-earning triumph in Kansas City, we mentioned that this club usually doesn’t carry a platoon of defensive specialists on its rosters. That leaves Griess as a mainstay in 16 Black’s contrasting jersey, but she is always up to the task. The Sutton star is an unflappable passer who takes ball-control burdens off of her teammates. That leads to the kind of success we saw at Show Me.
Club Legacy gets on the board. Tracy is part of a stout defensive unit for 16 Alpha, a team that has a strong record of success against Great Plains foes. 16 Alpha has the freedom to shuffle its backcourt lineups with Tracy finding her groove in a variety of positions. Keep these Club Legacy athletes in mind heading into a pivotal 2024 high school campaign.
Estudillo keeps finding ways to raise the bar. She is already a multi-year starter with Fremont High School and has led some of Class A’s scrappiest defensive lineups. Similar storylines play out at Nebraska Elite as Estudillo works in tandem with a few of her high school allies. Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi got incredibly comfortable in long rallies this year, and it helps to have an elite defender on your side.
Uhrmacher is the multi-positional wildcard for this feature. We’ve seen her take over matches as an outside hitter with Aurora High School, but the narrative shifts with Nebraska Juniors. The 2024 club season showed us Uhrmacher’s stellar passing prowess while wearing 16 Black’s libero jersey. Her experience as an outside hitter makes a middle-back role a natural fit. We’ll see which niche prevails this fall.