Surging Middle Blockers in Nebraska 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another rankings refresh is on the board, and we have plenty of stock risers to address.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's Class of 2026 rankings have been updated. This new list is largely based on recent observations from this year's club season, but we still have a long way to go before we call this list complete. The upcoming fall campaign will give us endless lists of potential additions and rising stars. This is just the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, an impressive group of athletes gained ground in this latest refresh. Middle blockers are well represented here, so we'll use this stacked position group as a launching point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on some of Nebraska's newest upperclassman standouts.</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-66b123cbbff35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Expect big things out of Sumner this fall. She terminated at nearly a 0.300 clip in her sophomore season with Elkhorn South, a school that piles up talent at middle blocker. Sumner demonstrated her versatility during the 2024 club season as Premier Nebraska 16 Gold earned its Open bid through the Show Me Qualifier. The Class A race will be fierce this year, and Sumner is determined to make the Storm a contender.</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-66b123cbbffc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We know the goal for Ortmeier and Omaha Skutt Catholic this fall. The SkyHawks are chasing their tenth state title in a row, and this middle blocker will be central to that effort. Her growth with Premier Nebraska was magnified as Ortmeier participated in last month's Stock Up Showcase. Skutt Catholic returns a ton of production from last year's team, but Ortmeier could raise the bar anyway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396748"],"_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-66b123cbc0027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't forget about Bennington in the Class B crowd. MacLeod is part of a huge influx of talent that could keep the Badgers in the mix this fall. This physical middle blocker was a gamechanger in the Banzai VBC gym this spring, offering serious in-system firepower. MacLeod is also willing to spend some time on the pin to tally first-ball sideouts. Her progression on the high school stage will be fascinating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518588"],"_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-66b123cbc0083"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln's high school scene needs some representation here. Luckily, Becker has revealed her readiness to take the reins at Lincoln Pius X. The Thunderbolts will enter the Class B field this year, but there's plenty of continuity in the lineup, too. Becker's elevation made her a constant force at [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] and a top performer on the Prep Dig Circuit. Her rankings boost was overdue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518608"],"_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-66b123cbc00dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about one for central Nebraska? Gernstein adds to our list of stock risers who competed at last month's Stock Up Showcase. She is poised for a breakout with Grand Island after the Islanders made a long-awaited trip to last year's Class A postseason. GISH will search for new leaders in the middle for this year's team, and Gernstein fits the bill. Her competitiveness and drive shone through at Nebraska Juniors this spring, and we're ready for more in the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["497417"],"_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-66b123cbc0141"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lierman had a breakout sophomore season at Waverly and was a critical part of the school's return to the Class B bracket. Momentum has only escalated since this middle blocker suited up for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] this year. Lierman's lateral quickness and attacking range make her an ideal M1 who can rack up clutch kills behind the setter. Another big season with the Vikings is on the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518569"],"_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-66b123cbc01ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've been hyping up Ammon's emergence for a while, so her appearance on this list is no surprise. The Blair native helped [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy claim its AAU Nationals triumph to close out the club season. Then, Ammon arrived at our Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase and showed a similar level of dominance and physicality. Nebraska's small-town scene is lucky to have this impactful athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349475"],"_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-66b123cbc0205"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's stick with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy for our final entry. Garcia-Alvarez brings a unique skill set to the middle blocker spot and can open up any offense. She thrives on the 'gap' play away from the setter and can terminate on slower tempos to the middle. The Omaha South athlete embraced the AAU spotlight and has more to gain in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->