Road to June 15: The Latest on Nebraska’s 2026 Pin Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're ready to put some gems on your recruiting radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday marks the beginning of open contact and recruitment between colleges and the Class of 2026. Our coverage of this group is ramping up in response to this momentous occasion, and we've already looked back at our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/road-to-june-15-our-favorite-2026-stories-so-far-this-year/">favorite 2026 features</a> of the ongoing club season. It's time to narrow our focus even further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standout pin hitters keep raising the bar among Nebraska's rising juniors. The Great Plains Region is now loaded with future collegiate stars at this position, so this is a good time to reevaluate the current pin-hitter landscape. Narratives are always evolving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are several storylines and players to keep in mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Steady at the Top</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pin hitters have dominated the higher tier of Nebraska's 2026 rankings since the list's inception. Not only is that still the case now, but the same names have solidified their spots at the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278276,"width":"274px","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/5/2022/12/FglgKkXWQAAp3JO.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278276" style="width:274px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dolliver</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] has not slowed down since earning her initial mark as our top-ranked prospect. Her takeover potential was evident at April's Show Me Qualifier, where West's hitting prowess and defensive skills helped Premier 16 Gold secure an Open bid. The two-time state champion at Omaha Skutt Catholic will surely be a name to follow in this recruiting cycle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside attackers still make up four of the top five spots in our rankings. This includes [player_tooltip player_id='349479' first='Kamryn' last='Behrns'], who started with an impressive ranking but has climbed even further to No. 2. If you're looking for a prototypical high-ceiling opposite in Nebraska's 2026 class, Behrns is the one to know. She's a dynamic lefty who elevated [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite's offense to an Open triumph in Salt Lake City. Don't forget about the 17s when making your 2026 lists, as playing up is a huge trend for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] is another one of those dramatic stock risers who has soared to the No. 3 spot after an extraordinary sophomore campaign at Bennington. Her ascent has continued with Premier Nebraska.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The small towns rise up with [player_tooltip player_id='275894' first='Halle' last='Dolliver'] carrying the banner for Malcolm High School. Her high-volume scoring could end up rewriting the record books at Malcolm--a school that knows all about talented pin hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Small-Town Swing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's stay with that small-town theme we just brought up. The 2026 class is stacked with hidden gems, especially at the pin positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] is the perfect launching point for this discussion. Her intensity and will to win elevated South Central NE 16 Black to yet another breakthrough at Show Me. Branson has proven herself on the high school stage but is quickly translating that to the club stage, too. Shelton High School is home to one of Nebraska's fastest-rising prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":531277,"width":"357px","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/5/2024/04/IMG_2147.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531277" style="width:357px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Branson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can stick with South Central NE 16 Black to find a few more names we'll be watching. [player_tooltip player_id='396731' first='Kambri' last='Andel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275895' first='Isabel' last='DeJonge'] are two more prolific pin attackers who add to 16 Black's constant onslaught at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platteview High School's [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'] has rewritten her scouting report during the 2024 club season. She has seen plenty of reps at middle blocker but is showing a new wrinkle with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. Her athleticism has been wielded at the left-side hitter spot, where Stehlik shows her multi-positional skill and impact. This is an important name to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota']? This left-side hitter was nearly unstoppable when she suited up for Yutan High School at last year's state tournament. She represents Nebraska Elite on the club side and kept up her positive momentum against the nation's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">On the Rise</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players in our rankings are poised to rise upon our next update. Here are some quick pointers on who we're looking at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349417' first='Halle' last='Nienaber'] had a roaring conclusion to the club season with Premier 16 Silver. Her six-rotation poise was absolutely indispensable, and her live arm was a safe bet for quick side-outs. A rankings bump is overdue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can bring back the "playing up" discussion with [player_tooltip player_id='276206' first='Marley' last='Glock'], who will represent Banzai VBC 17 Select at GJNC. The Ashland-Greenwood prep athlete was pivotal in 17 Select's bid-earning effort at the Windy City Qualifier. It's a huge step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym is full of future rankings risers. We're assessing where [player_tooltip player_id='349484' first='Piper' last='Bellamy'], [player_tooltip player_id='486918' first='Rallie' last='Boyer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349476' first='Lauren' last='Eggerling'] might fit into our next list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All-around skills will be a focal point among outside hitters who climb our next set of rankings. This is where players like [player_tooltip player_id='349405' first='Mia' last='Dickerson'], [player_tooltip player_id='349414' first='Reagan' last='Siebler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349465' first='Stella' last='Cox'] have an advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->