Under-the-Radar Nebraska 2026s to Watch at GJNC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add another way-too-early GJNC preview to our docket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we dipped our toe into the Nationals journey ahead this summer. Our featured topic was Nebraska's under-the-radar 2025s, and we're sticking with the same theme for this one. Bring on the 2026s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're a few short weeks away from the beginning of open contact and recruitment for the Class of 2026. It's a big milestone with GJNC following a couple of weeks behind that. We'll lean into this important time by covering as many 2026s as we can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275937"],"_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":"Eymann brought her best when it mattered most. Her steady setting and spectacular floor defense lifted Premier 16 Gold to a late-season bid triumph at last month's Show Me Qualifier. Successful Open-level teams usually need a setter who can provide stability and consistency to the starting lineup. Eymann has been that player for 16 Gold, and her stock continues to rise throughout 2024. Another big opportunity is on the way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349404"],"_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":"Zimmerman is fitting right in with Premier 16 Gold. Her rapid rise started last fall when she put up eye-popping dig figures in Gretna's libero jersey. She quickly climbed to the 16 Gold roster and has spent time in the contrasting jersey there, too. Even if Zimmerman is in a defensive specialist role, she remains incredibly active in the passing pattern and is not afraid to take command. Backcourt defense was an underrated game-changer during Premier's runner-up effort at Show Me. The same story should prevail in Vegas.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Kennedy Harris","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Southeast Polk","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Premier Nebraska 16 Black","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Let's give a nod to one of our Iowa prep athletes. Harris represents Southeast Polk High School, putting her in our Iowa orbit for this site. However, we can't ignore how much she has improved throughout her 2024 tenure with Premier 16 Black. Harris is a true middle-opposite hybrid who adds a ton of physicality to either position. She thrives when attacking behind the setter and can mix up her routes to keep teams guessing. We're expecting Harris and her team to make some serious noise in the 16 National division.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["518583"],"_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":"Premier Nebraska 16 Black seemingly has unlimited options at the outside hitter spot. Thompson fits the mold of all her fellow left-side attackers on 16 Black. She gets off the floor quickly, finds the seams between blockers, and can be an all-around force in the middle-back area. This Elkhorn North prospect found a new gear as her team swept through the GPR Bid Tournament without a set loss. Momentum is escalating as Thompson makes another trip to Nationals.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["396731"],"_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":"Andel is the kind of hitter who can put up big numbers at any time. She made this a common occurrence at David City High School last fall, and it's translating well to the club season. South Central NE 16 Black can lean on Andel to score on either pin while also allowing her to participate in the passing formation. Versatile players like Andel continue to write the narrative for South Central's persistent brilliance on the national stage. Let's see if 16 Black can earn a repeat podium appearance.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["275895"],"_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":"How about another big-time scorer from the small-town scene. DeJonge was an early addition to our 2026 radar after she immediately earned starting reps with Adams Central High School. She's a strong six-rotation asset who will readily put in work as a primary defender. South Central NE 16 Black has shown a willingness to mix and match pin-hitter lineups, but DeJonge can dominate no matter where she lines up. That flexibility will be critical at GJNC.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["253922"],"_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":"Hazzard has mastered the art of bettering the ball. This Lincoln Southwest prep athlete has a knack for keeping her hitters in rhythm even while passes are off the net. Our visit to this year's Northern Lights Qualifier gave us a reminder of all the ways Hazzard can influence a match for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. That includes a few stints as a defensive specialist, where Hazzard's defensive prowess is put on display. She'll do anything to give her team a boost.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349480"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite has a ton of geographical reach on its roster. Scheer hails from Grand Island Northwest High School and makes the trek to compete with VCN on the club side. It's a worthy move, especially with Scheer finding her groove at a couple of different positions. She has an extensive background as a right-side hitter but has also seen success on the left in recent weeks. That new wrinkle was a catalyst for 16 Elite's podium finish at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament, and we're anxious to see what GJNC offers for this central Nebraska star.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664f66b92a7ac"} /-->