Ten Possible Breakout Senior Stars from Nebraska 2025 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who's ready to go out on a high note?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Nebraska 2025 rankings shifted and expanded this week, but it's important to grasp the bigger picture. This list--which has now eclipsed 300 athletes--is a celebration of an accomplished class of volleyball athletes. This group is heading into its final season in the high school spotlight, so we're about to see the best that the Class of 2025 can offer. That leads to our discussion of breakout candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we peruse our new list, several names jump out as we look ahead to the fall campaign. These players have shown flashes of brilliance that suggest they're ready to reach another level as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's give you ten players who fit the bill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214008"],"_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-66ad822e4c789"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gleason is a multi-sport star who has done a little of everything for Beatrice High School. Her offensive production has climbed throughout her prep career, leading us to believe she'll reach even higher as a senior. Gleason set a high bar with 2.4 kills per set last fall, but this hard-hitting middle blocker is ready for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155038"],"_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-66ad822e4c7dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omaha Marian will surely lean on its vast collection of defensive specialists this fall. Mayer will be a ringleader for this group after she racked up nearly 400 digs in 2023. Her standout tenure with Nebraska Elite this spring has elevated Mayer's stock even further, and she's eying another postseason appearance with the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173520"],"_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-66ad822e4c820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You could already classify Stone's junior season as a breakout campaign. She reached nearly two kills per set and logged the best single-season hitting percentage of her career. That momentum led to several highlight moments in the Nebraska Elite gym, so the rising senior has more to gain at Elkhorn South. The Storm are eager to re-enter the Class A's top tier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189373"],"_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-66ad822e4c85f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is determined to bring Millard West back to the Class A mountaintop. She moved to the Premier Nebraska 17 Gold roster this year and contributed to the team's high-octane middle offense. Her squad ended the year with a Gold bracket appearance at GJNC, so things are looking up for Baker's final high school season. The Wildcats have a new influx of talent this year, but Baker is one of the seasoned veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342564"],"_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-66ad822e4c89d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln East was stacked with middle blocker talent last year, but it might be the unquestioned focal point of the offense this season. Merten adds to that strength with her quickness off the floor and range behind the setter. She will find ways to make plays no matter which system the Spartans deploy this fall. Such adaptability was evident as Merten represented [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["395147"],"_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-66ad822e4c8db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kiichler's multi-position effectiveness gives her an advantage heading into her final season with Norfolk High School. She has prior tenures as a middle blocker but has focused primarily on the outside hitter spot during recent action. This led to a massive jump in production last fall as Kiichler amassed over three kills per set for the Panthers. Another strong outing with Nebraska Elite has primed Kiichler for even greater totals in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155054"],"_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-66ad822e4c918"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkhorn High School knows all about talented setters. Fast took the reins last fall and led a dynamic, fast-paced offense for the Antlers. We've seen this exceptional athlete thrive with one of Banzai VBC's top club squads, so Fast's game is translating to several different venues. The tough grind of Class A competition will not be a problem for a steady setter like Fast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["213980"],"_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-66ad822e4c956"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Siebert is part of the soaring talent pool in the Seward area. This depth has paid dividends with Seward High School reaching the highly competitive Class B tournament last year. Siebert can play on either pin and has sparred with some of the best talent on the club circuit. That valuable experience will prepare Siebert for one more Class B gauntlet with the Bluejays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155055"],"_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-66ad822e4c993"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Papio's runner-up effort last year wouldn't have been possible without Pillay. We first saw her develop as a versatile middle blocker, but those plans changed with some lineup shuffles last fall. Pillay embraced an outside hitter role and proved her ability to score in any area along the net. Her leadership will be even more pivotal in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342619"],"_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-66ad822e4c9d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The small-town scene needs more representation here, and Bohling is a perfect fit for this feature. This high-flying outside hitter has made big strides with Nebraska Juniors, preparing Bohling for another season in the prep spotlight. She represents Bruning-Davenport/Shickley, a perennial tournament competitor no matter which class the school is in. We might be heading toward another notch on the postseason resume.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->