Which 2027 Watch List Players Had Breakout Sophomore Seasons?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next rankings updates are on the way, and we have a lot of recent developments to ponder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 will be a big discussion topic next year, but these athletes have already given us plenty to consider before we turn our calendars. Our 2027 rankings are bound to expand beyond the current Top 25. Nebraska's high school season offered insight into the latest rankings candidates, and a little sneak preview wouldn't hurt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few watch list players who entered the sophomore spotlight this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458362"],"_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-6743ea7be2066"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omaha Marian's strong 2024 season was anchored by the six-rotation excellence of its outside hitters. Capece was part of that operation and put up 2.4 kills per set in her sophomore season with the Crusaders. Aside from Capece's terminal ability in the frontcourt, she was also a consistent defender and even better as a primary passer. Marian's quick, precise offense relied on good first contacts, and this sophomore outside hitter always delivered. Capece is now climbing the ladder with Premier Nebraska and will hone her skills at the Open level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498996"],"_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-6743ea7be20bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ervin remains a do-everything athlete for Ogallala High School. We saw her thrive in the middle as a freshman, but she displayed her pin prowess during the 2024 season. Ervin hammered down nearly four kills per set this fall while running routes in the middle and on the left. That versatility made her a matchup nightmare for opposing teams and kept Ogallala in the wildcard hunt late in the season. We're eager to see Ervin's ascent continue as one of western Nebraska's most exciting 2027 prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458125"],"_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-6743ea7be2102"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Snyder is perpetuating a family tradition of pin-hitting dominance at Omaha Concordia. The Mustangs had a new go-to weapon along the net this fall with Snyder racking up 3.6 kills per set. This was a sharp increase from Snyder's 2023 output, and the sophomore attacker even raised her hitting efficiency while seeing increased volume. The Club Legacy standout has been a star on our Prep Dig Circuit and will keep that momentum up in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443104"],"_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-6743ea7be2145"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cochran's sophomore stats speak for themselves. She set a high bar in 2023 after putting up 3.8 kills per set, but this Gering standout still cleared that mark with 4.5 as a sophomore. Cochran also hit at a 0.262 clip despite taking over 1,200 swings throughout the 2024 season. The Bulldogs are due for a postseason breakthrough with several talented players leading the charge, but Cochran will likely enter our 2027 rankings before then.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458174"],"_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-6743ea7be2185"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Homolka is another small-town gem worth keeping on your radar in the Class of 2027. She dazzled us at one of our Prep Dig Circuit events this summer, which was the precursor to some enormous gains with Central City later in the year. She terminated over 4.5 times per set this fall to jump her average by over two kills per set from 2023. The Bison were also not afraid to wield Homolka's strength in the back row, and she compiled nearly four digs per set, too. This high-volume outside hitter is on pace to reach 1,000 career kills before her senior season begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498923"],"_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-6743ea7be21c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Huff's physicality at opposite is a perfect complement to Elkhorn North's strong frontcourt lineup. The sophomore put up triple-digit kills in 2024 and was the focal point for some intimidating blocks on the right side. We watched these traits flourish when Huff competed with Premier Nebraska through the spring. Huff has made further strides with one of Nebraska's top high school programs, so 2025 is an exciting time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499010"],"_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-6743ea7be2243"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're wrapping up with some much-needed libero representation for this feature. Ferguson has donned Elkhorn's libero jersey since her freshman season, and the sophomore standout has grown increasingly comfortable in her role. She racked up 3.7 digs per set this year--a nearly one dig-per-set increase from Ferguson's debut season. This 2027 athlete has tested her mettle against the state's powerhouse high school programs, and she'll take that experience to the club scene next spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->