Revisiting Nebraska’s 2026 Setter Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We haven't forgotten about the setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, we've been taking a tour of our Nebraska 2026 rankings as the open recruitment period for this class gets underway. <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/road-to-june-15-the-latest-on-nebraskas-2026-pin-hitters/">Pin hitters</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/revisiting-nebraskas-2026-libero-rankings/">liberos</a>, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/revisiting-nebraskas-2026-middle-blocker-rankings/">middle blockers</a> have already been in the spotlight, and you can expect our 2026 discussions to continue well beyond June 15th. This is a journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And it's a journey that wouldn't be complete without the setters. Nebraska's 2026s have stepped up at this position group, leading to new assessments of where players stand right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we're thinking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wearing Multiple Hats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the most dynamic group of setters we've seen in a while. Multi-position standouts have been a major discussion topic in recent features, and we can keep that theme rolling here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":553639,"width":"303px","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/5/2023/04/IMG_7129-crop-3235x2124-1718839949.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-553639" style="width:303px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sjuts</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'] has to get a shoutout here. It's hard not to notice Emery's smooth hands from the setter spot, but she also wields a quick right arm that can score at will. Minden High School wielded this skill set well and rode Emery's dual role all the way to a state championship. Central Nebraska has a rising star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Emery, [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'] is a state champion with vast experience at several positions. She locked down the middle blocker spot last fall with her imposing physicality at pin-to-pin quickness. However, Sjuts is proving she's committed to becoming an elite setter with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black. Her tempo and location continue progressing, making Sjuts one of the top multi-talented prospects in the Lincoln area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='275901' first='Hayden' last='Booth'] offers an entirely different perspective. She sets a fast-paced offense for Premier Nebraska 16 Gold but has also earned reps as a defensive specialist for Elkhorn North. This means Booth can be a positive factor in both phases of the ball-control game--a rare trait for prep prospects at the 16s level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we can also point to some traditional setter-opposites in the 2026 class. [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'] comes to mind, and her hitting role has recently taken precedence with Cross County High School. We'll also give a shoutout to [player_tooltip player_id='349460' first='Ava' last='Wiebelhaus'], who can do a little of everything in the Premier Nebraska gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Breakout Prep Potential</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several of Nebraska's top 2026 setters look poised for a breakout season on this fall's high school stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'], our highest-ranked setter in the class? The Lincoln Southwest prep athlete has waited her turn to take the reins and is stepping in after last year's state title triumph. Eckman will still have to battle for the starting spot, but it's a wide-open battle for one of Class A's best programs. High-level club experience with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite--including a trip to GJNC--will serve Eckman well in pursuit of this fall breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] is a name to know in the Omaha area. She has already earned a wealth of starting reps with Omaha Duchesne, but 2024 could be the best outing yet. This year's club season has reminded us of Bodnar's steady command of the setter spot, and the Cardinals will be eager to claw back into the tournament race. Bodnar should be a big part of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396745' first='Addison' last='Janke'] looks like a solid dark horse pick for this section. She has been a masterful distributor for Club Legacy, a program that often goes hand-in-hand with Omaha Marian standouts. Marian will pursue new leaders at the setter spot and can look to Janke to take the lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">More Under-the-Radar Picks</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's leave you with a few more gems to consider.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='497370' first='Ava' last='Bearden'] has been a fascinating addition to Nebraska's 2026 scene. She entered the spotlight with Lincoln Southeast last fall and is continuing that positive momentum with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']. Lincoln is dishing out so many names in this position group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Skutt Catholic has a vast collection of setters to explore in the 2026 class. [player_tooltip player_id='349410' first='Mia' last='Stevens'] has shined in the Premier Nebraska gym and could also contribute through her relentless floor defense. The SkyHawks also have [player_tooltip player_id='349450' first='Rayna' last='Bartholet'], another Premier standout who connected well with her new teammates. We might as well complete the trifecta with [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust'], who is making a repeat trip to GJNC next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The small-town scene has several productive setters to keep on your radar. [player_tooltip player_id='464912' first='Mallory' last='Springer'] spread the ball around for Cambridge and added to the Trojans' storied tournament history. We're also watching for [player_tooltip player_id='276208' first='Kylie' last='Jakub'] to continue her ascent with Milford High School after a strong 2023 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->