Dominant Middles from Nebraska’s 2024 State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's move into the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we honed in on a few liberos who represented their teams well at the 2024 NSAA State Championships. We're now shifting our focus to the other end of the dial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blockers were a persistent focus of our live coverage, so we have a lot to say now that the dust has settled. Be sure to catch up on our senior and freshman spotlights, as we already have several notable middle blockers in those features.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's expand the list further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458153"],"_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-6736826fcaaea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middle blockers don't often lead their team's kill column, but Judson has been defying trends throughout her prep career. She entered last week's tournament with over three kills per set and remained on that clip as Papio South notched another state title. Judson was even an attacking threat out of the back row in her serving rotation. The electrifying sophomore is ready to lead the next chapter of Titan success in Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-6736826fcab46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sumner's explosiveness gave Elkhorn South's offense a new layer for opposing teams to think about. The Class of 2026 standout was incredibly terminal in front of the setter and thrived with whatever tempo she was given. Sumner also anchored some extraordinary blocking output for the Storm, as she had five blocks in the semifinal sweep over Grand Island. It's a good omen for Sumner's final prep campaign in 2025.</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-6736826fcab8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortmeier took a huge leap forward during Omaha Skutt Catholic's stint at the Class B tournament. She produces many of the positive block touches that won't show up on the box score. Of course, Ortmeier also anchored the rally-ending blocks that were scored. Either way, this junior will carry an even larger role next season as the SkyHawks look to restart the title streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269907"],"_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-6736826fcabcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pierce's balance and physicality were seldom countered this year. Riggert ran the show from the middle and tallied double-digit kills in both Bluejay contests in Lincoln. The terminal senior was also an effective server who wasn't afraid to play some backcourt defense while she was at the line. Pierce will now look to build on one of its best single-season outputs in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269932"],"_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-6736826fcac0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wahoo's memorable Cinderella bid in Class C1 started with Seagren's effort and determination. She had a colossal 26 kills and four solo blocks during the Warriors' four-set takedown of Scotus Central Catholic in the quarterfinals. Seagren led the charge again as Wahoo toppled No. 2 Pierce. This middle blocker dazzled us during her club career with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''], and now she has a prep conclusion we'll remember for a long time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349457"],"_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-6736826fcac49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sjuts distinguished herself as one of the top slide hitters at last week's tournament. It's a profound development for this versatile athlete who also competes as a setter on the club side. Sjuts' proficiency behind the setter got Lincoln Lutheran out of some jams against a hard-charging Thayer Central squad in the C2 title bout. No matter which position takes precedence next year, Sjuts is bound to be a high-impact athlete as Lincoln Lutheran pursues a five-peat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155057"],"_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-6736826fcac84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ottemann catalyzed one of this year's most extraordinary tournament upsets. The Johnson-Brock senior put down 17 kills and five blocks as the Eagles won a physical five-set gauntlet against second-seeded Oakland-Craig. Ottemann, who finished with over 1,000 career kills, brought heat from the middle or the left side in a multi-faceted role with Johnson-Brock. It was the perfect combination for postseason mayhem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275947"],"_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-6736826fcacbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nelms was the engine for Bartley Southwest's undefeated regular season, and that statement is twofold with Kyra and Anikka taking over at the net. Kyra stood out during Friday's semifinal showdown with Exeter-Milligan/Friend, as the junior attacker terminated 24 times in four sets. Her intensity and competitive spirit were also positive influences for the Roughriders, and we anticipate the same impact next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275970"],"_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-6736826fcacf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're wrapping up with perhaps the tournament's most dominant middle blocker, especially in Saturday's championship matches. Gegg scored at will during Shelton's historic triumph over Leyton to secure the school's first-ever title. Her position in Shelton's starting rotation technically slots her as an outside hitter, but Gegg gets plenty of reps in the middle, too. She hammered down 24 kills in just three sets to punctuate Shelton's best-ever stay in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->