Middle Blockers Gaining Ground in Nebraska 2027 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have plenty of rising stars in this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, our <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2027-rankings/">Nebraska 2027 rankings</a> just underwent perhaps their biggest overhaul yet. An initial group of 25 ranked players is now 80 strong. Many more names have been added to the watch list, while prior watch list names have joined the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our most recent feature addressed a few setters who have transitioned from the watch list to the rankings. We're sticking with the same theme for this one, but it's time for the middle blockers. And we have no shortage of players to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521266"],"_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-676b5afd81d21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln North Star's surprise bid into the 2024 Class A Tournament put several sophomores on our stock-riser list. McKernan earned this distinction by putting down 2.6 kills per set this fall and establishing herself as a go-to terminator in front of the setter. Expect a few more highlight moments when McKernan represents [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458181"],"_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-676b5afd81d8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiechman secured her spot on the 2027 watch list when she earned a 16 Club championship with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy at AAU Nationals. That incredible triumph gave us a glimpse at Wiechman's incredible range as a middle blocker or a right-side hitter. She made further strides as a sophomore starter with Papillion-La Vista, so Wiechman's rankings rise was inevitable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458184"],"_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-676b5afd81dd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deats was a can't-miss middle blocker during Nebraska Elite's march to an Open bid to kick off 2024. This dynamic attacker is a scoring threat in front of the setter or behind, making her an ideal ‘M1' in two-hitter rotations. Look for Deats to continue a strong middle tradition at Omaha Westside next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521209"],"_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-676b5afd81e18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's hone in on another versatile athlete from the vaunted Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution lineup. Shaw excelled at middle blocker and right-side hitter for this group, giving 15 Revolution plenty of frontcourt combinations to deploy. She followed this up with 2.5 kills per set for Douglas County West this year on an impressive 0.266 clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521300"],"_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-676b5afd81e5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuelson was already on the cusp of a rankings breakthrough before her sophomore campaign began. She logged a productive 15s season with Club Legacy and was a force in the attacking and blocking phases. Samuelson maintained this positive momentum by hitting nearly 0.300 in her second year with Omaha Concordia. Her ascent will likely continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521251"],"_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-676b5afd81e9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kepler had a late-season surge with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] this summer, setting the stage for further progress on the prep side with Lincoln Southeast. After logging a wealth of high-level experience on the club stage, Kepler broke into the starting lineup at LSE and provided positive reps in the Class A gauntlet. This is a name to watch in early 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521094"],"_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-676b5afd81edd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gregg is another middle blocker who has seen her share of elite battles on the club circuit. Her 2024 campaign with Premier Nebraska placed her on our early watch lists, so her rise into the rankings is no surprise. The Elkhorn South sophomore jumps to Premier Nebraska 16 Gold this spring, marking a big milestone in Gregg's career progression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458127"],"_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-676b5afd81f1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laurel-Concord-Coleridge gets another shoutout in our 2027 features. Rasmussen put down 4.7 kills per set on a 0.282 clip to finish among Nebraska's top tier in the sophomore class. Her range as a middle-outside hybrid allows the Bears to set their second-year star from almost anywhere. We expect to see Rasmussen and her team at the state tournament soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521307"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-676b5afd81f78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hays is part of a stout group of 2027s rising the ranks at [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']. She represented 15 Navy this spring and was an efficient terminator in front of the setter. These skills will come into focus as we turn toward the club season and cover Omaha's infinite pool of talented middles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521188"],"_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-676b5afd81fbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have a sophomore revolution happening at Omaha Roncalli. Floersch climbed the rankings ladder after she led the Crimson Pride with 2.4 kills per set on a 0.223 attacking efficiency. We marveled at Floersch's versatility with Premier Nebraska, as she played multiple frontcourt positions throughout her tenure with 15 Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499014"],"_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-676b5afd81ffe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One more hidden gem gets in the mix. Crawford was among Nebraska's most effective sophomore middles with nearly three kills per set as a sophomore. Like many of the players on this list, Crawford can also operate as a left-side hitter and take a large volume of swings from the pin. Regardless of position, McCook has a future leader to carry the offensive load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->