Revisiting Nebraska’s 2026 Middle Blocker Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's assess another 2026 position group as the recruiting period gets rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've recently perused our <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska 2026 rankings</a> for <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/road-to-june-15-the-latest-on-nebraskas-2026-pin-hitters/">pin hitters</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/revisiting-nebraskas-2026-libero-rankings/">liberos</a> generating recent headlines. Our next rankings update is not far away, and we want to paint a clear picture of where the 2026s stand during this crucial summer period. The recruiting extravaganza is just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one for the middle blockers. This group has variety and skill, as you'll see in the discussion below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Around the Map</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pattern has emerged among Nebraska's top-ranked 2026 middle blockers: it isn't all about the big cities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus High School's [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'] still sits atop the hierarchy and has returned to her familiar form with Premier Nebraska. The Discoverers have wielded Erb in several different ways to get her as many swings as possible. A similar storyline has emerged with Premier, as Erb can still run routes behind the setter in three-hitter rotations. Her lateral speed makes this a worthy move, and Erb can easily hit around well-formed blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hastings St. Cecilia gets on the board with one of Nebraska's most exciting small-town prospects. [player_tooltip player_id='396732' first='Payton' last='Sullivan'] has helped South Central NE 16 Black reach the GJNC podium, and she'll have a chance to repeat that triumph next month. 16 Black is at its best when it runs through the middles, and Sullivan solidifies that trend with her quick right arm. We anticipate another breakthrough at Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Omaha still has its share of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='253934' first='Scotlyn' last='Erwin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275897' first='Taya' last='Thaden'] carry the banner for Millard South and Millard West, respectively, so we're excited to see some future prep duels from this pair. [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett'] is staking her claim as the top 2026 middle in the Omaha metro after her outstanding season with Nebraska Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a few steps outside Omaha to find a few more emerging stars. Blaire Boehlke has gained plenty of high-level reps with Fremont and knows the rigors of Class A competition. You don't have to go far to find [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen'], a Freeman High School standout who can play middle blocker or right-side hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] looms large in the Elmwood-Murdock area. The Knights soared to the Class C2 semifinals with Backemeyer dominating at the net. She accumulated some of the largest kill totals among Nebraska middle blockers last fall, and she's doing it again at Nebraska Juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Unstoppable Prep Stars</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's 2026 middles have put up massive numbers on the high school scene. We often forget these players were underclassmen last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":552923,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/IMG_7511-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-552923" style="width:327px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arbuthnot</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have to bring [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] into the mix here. Her high-volume scoring lifted Sumner-Eddyville-Miller to a state title last year, and Arbuthnot also blurred the lines between frontcourt positions. She carried blocking responsibilities in the middle but often took swings on the outside when the Mustangs needed a quick side-out. Her unmatched athleticism allowed this unique role to work as Arbuthnot ascended Nebraska's kill leaderboards last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='276204' first='Laney' last='Dahlberg'] is another small-town middle who carried a heavy load for her team. Sandhills/Thedford leaned on Dahlberg to produce three kills per set in 2023--a sizeable uptick from her freshman production. Dahlberg produced indefensible angles at the net, giving rise to her impressive hitting efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The list goes on. [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'] put down plenty of balls for Columbus Lakeview and will bring that same impact to GJNC with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. Other hidden gems to know include Shelton's [player_tooltip player_id='275970' first='Erin' last='Gegg'], GACC's [player_tooltip player_id='464900' first='Juli' last='Ridder'], Crofton's [player_tooltip player_id='497413' first='Jaisie' last='Janssen'], and the Bartley Southwest twin duo of Anikka and [player_tooltip player_id='275947' first='Kyra' last='Nelms'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Watch List to Rankings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't forget about the under-the-radar athletes lurking in our watch list. We've identified several middle blockers ready to jump from the watch list to the numerical rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='497417' first='Aubrie' last='Lierman'] is a great example. This multi-sport Waverly athlete has been incredibly impactful with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black, and she's displaying her positional versatility, too. Lierman emerged as a high-flying middle blocker with Waverly but has seen extended reps on the right pin with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Regardless of where she lines up, Lierman's physicality and efficiency have her poised to join our ranked list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We also have our eye on [player_tooltip player_id='396781' first='Hadley' last='Reimers'], who already has state championship experience with Lincoln Lutheran. Her dynamic attacking and pin-to-pin quickness have been a big hit for the Warriors, and Reimers keeps racking up athletic achievements. A rankings boost is warranted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about some Nebraska Juniors standouts? [player_tooltip player_id='518608' first='Elzada' last='Gernstein'] is gaining momentum from this year's club season and will likely be a big contributor with Grand Island this fall. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='396766' first='Layne' last='Parker']'s strong moments for this club, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lastly, we'll circle back to two more small-town gems from South Central NE. [player_tooltip player_id='518577' first='Jamie' last='Vavra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518580' first='Miranda' last='Nuss'] have added to an incredible group of 2026s for this club. Having a pair of successful teams in the 16s age group is quite an accomplishment in central Nebraska, and this middle duo is ready to rise on our list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->