Revisiting Top High School Freshmen from Nebraska 2028 Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's throw it back to last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest Nebraska 2028 watch list update gleaned much of its insight from this year's ongoing club season. However, this group also features athletes who put up monster numbers in their debut high school campaign. Many of these players have kept tearing it up on the club circuit, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we're looking back at last year's stat sheets to highlight a few more emerging stars in the 2028 class. These are the high school stars of the future <em>and</em> present.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["593775"],"_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-682d1b20f0481"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janulewicz has been a plug-and-play star at Grand Island Northwest, one of central Nebraska's most successful volleyball programs. This athletic left-side hitter churned out nearly four kills per set last year and easily soared past a 0.200 hitting efficiency on the season. Janulewicz ventures to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] on the club side, and she'll have a chance to keep honing her skills against the nation's best. GJNC is on the horizon for Janulewicz and 15 Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737393"],"_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-682d1b20f04dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Guardian Angels Central Catholic is making a major resurgence on the prep stage, and several underclassmen are aiding the effort. Gerths appeared on our watch list after putting up over 300 kills in her debut season with the Bluejays, but that was far from the full extent of her contributions. This all-around outside hitter also amassed massive dig numbers for GACC and was a steady leader in the serve-receive pattern. Watch for this small-town star in Year 2 with the Bluejays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737382"],"_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-682d1b20f0543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll keep leaning on rural stars throughout this feature. Young was a game-changing addition to the Hay Springs frontcourt last fall, showcasing a little of everything along the net. She scored over the top of opposing blockers and was free to run several different attacking routes. Young could deliver side-out scoring from the left pin or become a dominant force in the middle for the Hawks. Her ascent is just beginning after becoming one of Nebraska's most efficient freshman attackers in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570568"],"_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-682d1b20f0588"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aurora is another school that has leveraged its underclassmen particularly well in recent years. Staehr's terminal arm revolutionized the Huskies' lineup, giving the team over three kills per set throughout 2024. We've also seen Staehr's willingness to be a ball-control asset, both with Aurora and at our past Prep Dig Showcase events. Her tenure with South Central NE has only raised her stock further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737397"],"_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-682d1b20f05c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Billeter has already done her share of winning on the prep stage. Bartley Southwest entered last year's state tournament with an unblemished record, all while having a freshman setter operate around the dial. Billeter was among Nebraska's top first-year setters last fall and has a supporting cast for another postseason run this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737390"],"_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-682d1b20f0605"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Productive small-town stars are finding a more substantial foothold at Nebraska's top clubs. Wellensiek was a vital part of the setter rotation for Johnson County Central last fall as the team posted its best overall record in nearly two decades. This versatile athlete is a skilled distributor who can also shoulder an attacking role if needed. She has helped guide Premier Nebraska 15 Gold through a challenging schedule and will be battle-tested for future high-profile events.</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-682d1b20f0642"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norfolk Catholic has always been a juggernaut on the prep stage, so productive freshmen at this program are always notable. Timmerman immediately seized the Knights' libero jersey and put up a colossal five digs per set in her 2024 debut. Her defensive instincts and sprawling saves lifted Norfolk Catholic back to the Class C2 tournament, and this surely won't be Timmerman's last postseason appearance. More quality reps with Nebraska Elite have put this stout libero on an upward trajectory heading into the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567542"],"_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-682d1b20f067e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll wrap up in the Omaha area, where Nowling joined a host of other high-profile 2028s in Gretna's starting lineup. While many of her first-year peers brought attacking prowess in the front row, Nowling helped anchor Gretna's exceptional backcourt defense and serve receive. She was among Nebraska's freshman dig leaders last fall, leading to more breakout moments with Premier Nebraska 15 Gold. Nowling has set a high bar for her sophomore journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->