Ball-Control Gems Joining Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're ready to discuss a few more new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our updated <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska 2026 rankings</a> feature a lot of player movement and fresh faces. We've already covered a handful of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/12/new-middle-blockers-invade-nebraska-2026-rankings/">middle blockers</a> who were just plugged into the list, but we can go deeper than that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about the players who help set up those high-flying middle blockers? Setters and defensive specialists are well-represented on the list of new additions, so let's bring more names into the 2026 spotlight. Keep expanding that recruiting radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["724703"],"_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-676208ba3260d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had to include one of Nebraska's most productive defenders of the 2024 fall season. Hoffman locked down the Scotus Central Catholic backcourt and churned out nearly 600 digs this year--good enough for six digs per set over the entire season. This output lifted the Shamrocks to their first tournament appearance since 2018, and Hoffman still has one more year to make her mark on this storied high school program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731662"],"_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-676208ba3268c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another standout libero who ended her 2024 campaign in the state tournament. Geisen stepped into a bigger role in the Wynot backcourt and more than doubled her dig totals from 2023. She churned out 4.5 digs per set for the Blue Devils en route to another Class D2 quarterfinal appearance for the resurgent Class D2 program. Aside from all the contributions on the box score, Geisen also brings the serve-receive stability and leadership required from an elite libero. We're getting accustomed to seeing hidden gems like Geisen making waves at the libero position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731660"],"_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-676208ba326d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pourier adds to a list of Nebraska 2026s who expanded their on-court duties as upperclassmen. This junior libero was a reliable defensive specialist during her first two seasons at Chadron, but she flourished in Year 3 as the team's primary backcourt weapon. Pourier racked up nearly five and a half digs per set while locking down the left-back area for the Cardinals. She demonstrated a knack for reading opposing hitters, especially when attackers targeted the "campfire" in the center of the court. Extended rallies were a hallmark of Chadron's gritty style this fall, and we can't wait to see more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731655"],"_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-676208ba3260d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about a double dose of Chadron juniors? While Pourier handled many of the first contacts for the Cardinals, Pinnt was the leader for the team's second touches. She guided the Chadron offense with over seven assists per set and was eager to take swings in her frontcourt rotations. This junior leadership resulted in an uptick in Chadron's win column for the 2024 season. We can expect further growth next year while Pinnt leads the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731657"],"_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-676208ba3260d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're starting to roll through the setter portion of this feature. Hellriegel has played in various offensive systems throughout her Elm Creek tenure. She set out of the back row as an underclassman but took the reins herself this fall. The move paid immediate dividends with Hellriegel piling up nearly nine assists per set while spreading the ball around to her abundant setting targets. The Buffaloes might be ready to climb the ever-changing Class D1 hierarchy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731656"],"_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-676208ba3260d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Consbruck was practically an unknown commodity before this year's high school season, but she changed by putting up an impressive junior stat line with the Cadets. She averaged almost nine assists per set, placing her among some of the best distributors in Class C1. Consbruck brought the same energy to her backcourt defense and was impenetrable when locking down Zone 1. Several notable seniors depart from West Point-Beemer's 2024 squad, leaving Consbruck to carry the torch for next year's lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731668"],"_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-676208ba3260d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll wrap up with a "wildcard" player. Walker does a little of everything for Morrill High School. She's listed as a setter and a pin hitter, and both positions have taken precedence at different points in Walker's career. Perhaps the attacking side took the lead this year after the Morrill junior averaged three and a half kills per set. But Walker is also an adept secondary setter who churned out a couple of assists per set on top of her sky-high hitting numbers. Regardless of position, Walker will be the can't-miss player for the Lions next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->