Nebraska’s Under-the-Radar 2026s Making Gains as Upperclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some players know how to step up when veteran leadership is needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've watched Nebraska's Class of 2026 transform and evolve over the past two-plus years. It's hard to believe this group has already reached upperclassman status, but these athletes also perform like veteran leaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's feature is an ode to the under-the-radar juniors who have elevated their game during the 2024 high school season. All position groups are on the table for this one, and we have a lot of names to choose from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402985"],"_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-6705e84513378"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson's ascent started during this year's club season. She put together several standout performances with Nebraska Juniors and looked poised to take a spot in the Lincoln East starting lineup. Johnson has accomplished this feat, putting down two kills per set for the Spartans. Nebraska is full of players who shined when their name is finally called. Johnson is doing that in the ever-competitive Class A scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518581"],"_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-6706b2fc3e0ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new wave of talent has taken over at Millard North. Elsasser's production has skyrocketed in 2024, culminating in 2.7 kills per set at a 0.270 clip. Her physicality and high contact point have been major catalysts for Millard North's successful season in the Class A gauntlet. The Mustangs are situated eighth in the wildcard race, putting Elsasser and her team in prime position for a postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349455"],"_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-6706b2fc3e16c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One more for the Class A crowd. We knew that Lincoln Southwest would need to replace several veteran attackers from last year's championship squad, and that has yielded an opportunity for players like Gustafson to fill the void. This [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] star is wielding her quick arm to produce 2.7 kills per set for LSW's balanced offense. Gustafson also has a knack for producing quality block touches to set up her team in transition. Another tournament appearance seems likely for the Silver Hawks, and Gustafson will be ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275901"],"_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-6706b2fc3e1de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkhorn North has seamlessly transitioned from one Booth to another at the setter spot. Hayden takes over for older sister Reese, now a starter at Northern Iowa. Booth has been anchored to the top of Nebraska's overall assists leaderboard with a whopping 11 per set. The junior setter's balanced offense and precise distribution are only part of her appeal in the Wolves' lineup. Look for Booth to take over the right-back area as a lockdown defender as Elkhorn North pursues a Class B breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276212"],"_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-6706b2fc3e249"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is new territory for Markowski. Her first two seasons at Lincoln Pius X--and her club tenure at [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']--revealed her ability to dominate as an attacker. She racked up over 200 kills last season but has embraced a completely different role in 2024. Markwoski is helping run the offense with eight assists per set and one kill per set. This dramatic change has not slowed the junior's momentum, and Markowski's versatility makes her a fascinating 2026 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464903"],"_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-6706b2fc3e2b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was somehow possible for Ray to outpace her incredible 2023 numbers. The Oakland-Craig attacker has upped her kill-per-set average to 4.3 while adding a ton of other contributions in the back row. Her 3.9 digs per set are among the best totals for Nebraska 2026s--and that's while Bray spends half her time along the net. The Knights have maintained their multi-year run of excellence and can lean on their do-everything junior en route to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kayla Hoffman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Scotus Central Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6706b2fc3e3b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scotus Central Catholic has made a dramatic rise back into the state championship conversation. The school has over a dozen state titles on its ledger and could add another one this season. Hoffman has led the resurgent effort with an astounding 6.2 digs per set in the libero jersey. This is a huge bump from her 2023 production while Hoffman played as a backcourt substitute. Look out for the Shamrocks during district action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["395099"],"_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-6706b2fc3e428"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You might have been inclined to write off Overton after the 2023 Class D2 champs graduated a large portion of their starting lineup. However, Svarvari and the Eagles have kept the momentum going and sit No. 1 in the wildcard standings. Last year's Overton squad frequently featured no libero at all, but Svarvari has stepped into that role in 2024. She has transformed the Eagle backcourt with 4.6 digs per set and a wealth of perfect passes. Narratives around Overton's firepower have suddenly shifted over to the team's exceptional ball control. Both perspectives are yielding a lot of wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->