More Liberos to Follow in Nebraska 2028 Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We didn't forget about the liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our positional coverage of the <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/">Nebraska 2028 watch list</a> has already addressed a few <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/more-setters-to-follow-in-nebraska-2028-watch-list/">setters</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/more-pin-hitters-to-follow-in-nebraskas-2028-watch-list/">pin hitters</a>, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/more-middle-blockers-to-follow-in-nebraska-2028-watch-list/">middle blockers</a> to watch as we pivot toward covering this year's club season. We also have Part 1 and Part 2 of our showcase standout series. But, as with any new list of players on our site, there are always more names to cover. That includes a group of freshman defensive specialists with plenty of impact potential this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring them into the spotlight before our flurry of in-season coverage begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["625558"],"_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-6781a84f60325"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gutz has already seen plenty of high-level competition on the club stage. She represented [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite during the late-season grind and offered plenty of defensive spark off the bench. This agile libero can lock down any area in the backcourt and yields a tough serve behind the end line. Gutz is sticking with the 15s this year and will be a key cog in 15 Black's ball-control offense--especially when Gutz dons the contrasting jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575243"],"_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-6781a84f60386"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omaha Marian is churning out defensive talent at an incredible rate. Menicucci could carry that tradition a little further, and she has a chance to raise her stock with Nebraska Elite's top 15s squad this spring. This instinctive defender jumpstarted her upward trend by appearing in last summer's freshman showcase. Menicucci was an eager passer and collaborated well with unfamiliar teammates in the backcourt. This adaptability makes her a player to watch among her many 2028 peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730561"],"_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-6781a84f603cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaufman joins our initial group of Banzai VBC athletes to watch this year. She made a big impression at December's Top 250 Expo, where her multi-position versatility quickly emerged. The Papio product was a proficient passer but could also step in as a secondary setter when needed. Well-rounded skill sets have become an emphasis among liberos at the club level, and Kaufman can do a little of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722217"],"_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-6781a84f60410"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">South Central NE has fielded some exceptional defensive teams with players like Myers leading the way. The Fillmore Central freshman earned ample starting reps in her debut season and racked up triple-digit digs for the Panthers. Myers even had stints in the front row to demonstrate her six-rotation potential. We expect to see many of Myers' South Central NE teammates on the 2028 watch list after our next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730564"],"_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-6781a84f60453"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Timmerman was briefly mentioned in our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/first-nebraska-2028-watch-list-released/">introductory feature</a> for the 2028 watch list. This is our chance to expand further on one of Nebraska's most productive freshman liberos from last year's fall season. Timmerman produced an incredible five digs per set in her freshman campaign as she helped Norfolk Catholic return to the state championship. Her enormous defensive value was only part of the story, as Timmerman was also a lockdown passer who helped the Knights' offense flourish. Similar contributions can be expected at Nebraska Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572006"],"_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-6781a84f604d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] was not afraid to dip into the Class of 2028 while building its new Synergy lineup. Wallraff carries the 2028 banner in the back row and will face her share of challenging foes this season. Her defensive prowess was instantly apparent at last year's summer showcase, and Wallraff demonstrated those skills at Elkhorn North soon after. 2025 should offer a few more clips for the highlight reel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->