Which Nebraska 2026s Surprised Us This Spring?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 club season has already changed our view on so many athletes. That's especially true for Nebraska's Class of 2026s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026s still have a lot of prep volleyball ahead, so the landscape is constantly evolving for this group. We've built our Nebraska 2026 rankings with the understanding that things could evolve quickly during this year's club season. Athletes would inevitably surprise us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feature addresses a few of the state's 2026s who vastly exceeded expectations over the spring club grind. We're never opposed to surprises. These players have exhibited skyrocketing development during the 2024 campaign--and they're just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251144"],"_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":"New team, new heights. We entered 2024 with fond memories of Eckman piloting last year's [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite squad. The dynamic shifted dramatically as Eckman was called up to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s top 17s squad to help run the team's high-powered offense. This Lincoln Southwest prep star made a major early-season impression and continued to find her groove against older competitors. Playing up an age group was a head-turning move for Eckman, but it has paid off in the biggest way. 17 Elite finally clinched its Open bid through the Salt Lake City Showdown and can look forward to the GJNC journey ahead.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["257188"],"_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":"Stehlik has surprised us this year with her quick arm and her positional flexibility. We got a glimpse of her enormous potential when she competed with Platteview High School at last fall's state tournament. She is listed as a middle blocker based on those prep observations, but Stehlik's scouting report has transformed with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. This versatile attacker has seen plenty of reps on the left side and helped 16 Elite clinch its GJNC bid through the Great Plains Region. Multi-position stars keep entering the 2026 picture.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["275902"],"_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":"2024 could be seen as a new start for Sumner, who was sidelined for a chunk of the 2023 high school season. She is back and better than ever as one of Premier 16 Gold's most effective terminators. Sumner gets off the floor quickly and offers a large attacking window for her setter to find. This means that Sumner can still find a way to score even when circumstances are not ideal. Her craftiness lifted 16 Gold to an Open triumph at the Show Me Qualifier, setting up another high-profile GJNC outing for this Elkhorn South star.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349409"],"_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":"Ortmeier found a way to raise the bar after winning a state title in her sophomore season. The Omaha Skutt Catholic middle blocker has become an indispensable part of Premier 16 Black's well-rounded attack. Moreover, we've seen Ortmeier progress as a shutdown blocker, allowing 16 Black to put up one of Nebraska's most intimidating frontcourts in this age group. It's no coincidence that Ortmeier and her team roared through the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament en route to a 16 National bid.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349456"],"_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":"Back at it again. Talbott missed some action during last year's club season but made a seamless transition back into the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black lineup. We got an immediate reminder of how many ways Talbott can influence this talented team. She showed no signs of rust when attacking along the net as a right-side hitter. Talbott can also anchor the defense as a defensive specialist, particularly in the middle-back area. Her resurgence was a big early storyline during the Midwest Power League, and Talbott continued her climb through the qualifier grind.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["518590"],"_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":"Here's another hidden gem who has risen to prominence in the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] gym. Blomstedt is a recent addition to the 2026 watch list but has already proven her worthiness to join the rankings. She was a go-to option for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Lime who could terminate with power or finesse. Blomstedt's roll shots were a persistent weapon at the GPR Bid Tournament and several other regional events throughout the year. Keep an eye on this outside hitter's upward trajectory.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349470"],"_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":"We already knew that Frandson could perform under pressure. She got valuable reps with Millard West last fall and got a taste of what the Class A gauntlet is like. Frandson has applied that experience to several standout performances with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'], a club that is piling up 2026 talent. Don't lose sight of all the emerging prospects in the vast Omaha scene.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["402985"],"_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":"The Show Me Qualifier was Johnson's breakout moment. She made heroic plays on the left side as Nebraska Juniors 16 Red swept through the opening day of pool play. This Lincoln East prospect can find tiny gaps in the opposing block and rip through them with authority. Johnson has also progressed on the right side, making her a multi-dimensional threat at the L1 position. This is one of many unexpected stars we saw in Kansas City this year.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349406"],"_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":"Let's leave no doubt on this one: Neal is ready to jump into our rankings. Her extraordinary defensive instincts became the backbone of Premier Nebraska 16 Red's success on the national stage. A podium finish at the Show Me Qualifier would not have been possible without Neal's persistent leadership in the contrasting jersey. How many more outstanding liberos could Nebraska's 2026 class have?","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642b204eab19"} /-->