Pin Hitters Make Big Early Impression at #PDTop250ExpoNE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska delivered again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend's Prep Dig Top 250 Expo in La Vista continued a multi-year tradition of high-level showcase events in the Cornhusker State. While standouts at every position were present, I'm focusing on the pin hitters for my first feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which names stood out right away? Who surprised us? We have a few answers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349414"],"_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-675656a4bc27b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Siebler has always been a do-everything athlete in the Premier Nebraska gym. She's a high-flying left-side hitter whose greatest strength has been bettering the ball in out-of-system situations. This creativity flourished at our showcase, so this Omaha Westside junior is already laying the foundation for another successful club season. This is especially true after Siebler hit nearly 0.300 when she entered the Warrior lineup this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518590"],"_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-675656a4bc302"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blomstedt brings all the skills you'd expect from a [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] outside hitter. She has a knack for reading opposing blockers and finding the open seams in front of her. As soon as the Top 250 Expo moved into six-on-six drills, Blomstedt unleashed her full repertoire against some of the best blockers in the venue. Of course, you can also expect Blomstedt to bring a ton of energy to the backcourt as she locks down the middle-back area. Her wide-ranging impact will resurface this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-675656a4bc352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is a seasoned veteran on the Prep Dig Circuit, so we've been able to track her development over the past few years. She had a breakout 2024 season with Nebraska Juniors 16 Red, especially in the high-pressure qualifier environments we saw in Kansas City. Johnson can effectively disguise where she intends to attack, opening up seams down the line or in the crosscourt. Her growth was apparent during this weekend's showcase after she earned plenty of starting experience with this year's Lincoln East squad. Look out for this ever-evolving 2026 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458185"],"_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-675656a4bc3a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 will be a pivotal calendar year for Thayer-Mencke. The Fort Calhoun opposite set a high bar last spring when she helped her Nebraska Elite team clinch an Open bid through the Northern Lights Qualifier. Her positive momentum carried into this weekend's showcase, where she scored over the top of opposing blockers. Thayer-Mencke is moving to a revamped [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy roster for the 2025 campaign, so her strong lefty swing will loom large in the club spotlight. We're ready to see her thrive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458180"],"_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-675656a4bc3ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] athletes looked right at home in their native gym. Woehler was a persistent standout at Saturday's showcase and exhibited more than just a terminal arm in the front row. She also dropped dimes during defensive drills and was not afraid to take command of the serve-receive pattern. Woehler is building off a sophomore season in which she gained more starting experience with a young, resurgent Millard South program. Further strides are on the way in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big club season ahead for lefty pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='458185' first='Emilee' last='Thayer-Mencke'].<br><br>The Fort Calhoun sophomore is moving over to the brand-new [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy roster. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PDTop250ExpoNE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDTop250ExpoNE</a> <a href="https://t.co/bnLz9y5Bhb">pic.twitter.com/bnLz9y5Bhb</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1865473622761984503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[507304],"_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-675656a4bc43e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Devers adds to the long list of 2027 stars ready to reach a new level. We got a firsthand look at her impactful right arm when she competed with Premier Nebraska during this year's club season. Devers brings a wicked crosscourt shot on the left side and pairs that with some of the most infectious, positive energy we've seen on the club circuit. As this pin hitter keeps racking up valuable experience, her stock will continue to rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575239"],"_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-675656a4bc48b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morgan starts our conversation for the Class of 2028. This Elkhorn North freshman is an agile attacker who brings refined technique beyond her years. Morgan is especially proficient at working off high hands and making the most of whatever set she's given. This is also a chance to put out a Club Legacy shoutout, as this group contributed a wealth of talented athletes to this year's showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["562301"],"_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-675656a4bc4dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Damper is another new addition to our 2028 radar--and we still have a long way to go with this class. This outside hitter's incredible athleticism allowed her to adapt to various frontcourt roles at Saturday's event. She was a strong terminator on the left side, but Damper also had quality out-of-position reps at middle blocker. Regardless of position, this is a name to watch as Nebraska Elite looks ahead to a successful season with its top 15s group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->