GJNC Player Spotlight: Nebraska 16s Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not done with Wave 1 yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the Las Vegas festivities have wrapped up, leaving us with a lot to discuss regarding Nebraska's top competitors. That includes the 16s age group, where numerous rising stars elevated their game on club volleyball's biggest stage. We've already covered setters from this wave, but middle blockers are also worthy of the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep expanding your Class of 2026 reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275902"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218a2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're just a few short weeks away from our Nebraska 2026 rankings update, and Sumner is ready to make her ascent on the list. She has shown her willingness to do whatever is necessary to help Premier 16 Gold succeed, and that's not limited to the middle blocker spot. Sumner has dialed up some aggressive serves in late-season action, especially during 16 Gold's pre-Nationals preparation. The Elkhorn South star carried that into Las Vegas and is due for a breakout junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["400728"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218a86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't leave out one of Premier 16 Gold's most physical athletes--even if she technically represents Iowa in our player database. Miller has become a fixture in 16 Gold's frontcourt with her shutdown blocking and effective transition offense. Net defense became a huge talking point as 16 Gold claimed its Open bid through the Show Me Qualifier. The same storyline materialized at GJNC as Miller formed a wall against some of the nation's best attackers. Iowa's prep scene is lucky to have this rangy middle blocker in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396732"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218ac9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An all-tournament performer has to be on this list. Sullivan made her mark on the 16 Liberty race as South Central NE notched its second consecutive podium finish at USAV Nationals. This Hastings. St. Cecilia prep star brings a balanced game to the 16 Black lineup, meaning she can influence matches in various ways. She is a go-to option for South Central's in-system offense, but Sullivan also has a knack for churning out positive block touches for her teammates. We'll repeat a previous observation: 16 Black operates through the middles. Sullivan proved it once more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396733"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218b08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's a shoutout for South Central NE 16 Black's do-everything athlete. Bauer plays a middle-opposite hybrid role that's largely dependent on who is in the frontcourt with her. It might be easy to get lost in all this chaos, but Bauer provides a steady influence that takes 16 Black to the next level. She can be a force in front of the setter or behind, giving opposing blockers a lot to think about. Bauer also hits with excellent range and can disguise which zone she's targeting. Deshler High School is firmly on the map thanks to Bauer's emergence on the national stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349409"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218b45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortmeier has been a late-season standout on several occasions. She frequently used her quick arm as Premier 16 Black stormed through April's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. That momentum escalated as Ortmeier battled through GJNC's stacked 16 National division. The Omaha Skutt Catholic middle blocker found ways to score even when two net defenders were dedicated to slowing her down. She also varied her routes throughout GJNC, allowing Ortmeier to showcase her range as a slide attacker. We're looking forward to a crucial junior season for this Omaha-area athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349486"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218b82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite deployed several different middle blocker lineups throughout 2024, but the position remained a strength through it all. Kuhlmann anchored the position at GJNC and provided significant production when 16 Elite needed it most. The team raced out to a 6-0 start with athletes like Kuhlmann going over, around, and through any block in front of them. Kuhlmann is transitioning to Lincoln Lutheran this fall and will immediately shake up Lincoln's 2026 scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["298712"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6692d49218bbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll travel farther west to discuss another of VCN 16 Elite's reliable middle blockers. Rowe had her big moment as 16 Elite clinched a Nationals spot through the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. She stepped in and carried a heavy offensive burden--a trend that continued in Las Vegas. Rowe thrives in the M1 spot and has grown more confident attacking off of one foot. Of course, she also brings experience as a right-side hitter who can terminate from the pin. Regardless of position, this Columbus Lakeview product brings the all-around skills to be a force in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->