Road to June 15th: More Small-Town 2027s for Recruiting Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a few more of those "not-so-hidden gems" for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naturally, large metropolitan areas produce many of college volleyball's biggest stars. It's a simple numbers game: more players mean a higher probability of harboring elite athletes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Nebraska is an anomaly in the prep volleyball landscape for its ability to procure college-ready athletes from a much smaller population. It's a testament to the deeply embedded volleyball culture in the state, as well as the widespread availability of resources and exceptional coaching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen rural Nebraska standouts influence every level of American volleyball, all the way up to the National Team level. So, as the Class of 2027 prepares for its collective recruiting journey, we're hoping to cover as many small-town standouts as possible and help elevate their visibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is just one step toward reaching that goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458060"],"_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-68350e9002809"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of course, we have to start with a state champion and one of the most prolific scorers we've seen in a while. Meyers was last fall's "kill champion" in Nebraska by an enormous margin. The Superior sophomore put down over 800 kills (7.6 per set) as the Wildcats returned to the state tournament mountaintop. We've seen Meyers dominate as a pin hitter or a middle blocker, depending on where her physicality and quick arm are needed most. We're eager to see this show-stopping talent back on the court soon.</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-68350e9002862"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's bring out another small-town star from the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy stable. Thayer-Mencke has been a prolific scorer since her debut season with Fort Calhoun High School. This lefty opposite raised the bar in Year 2 with over three kills per set and a team-leading 0.284 hitting percentage. Thayer-Mencke's terminal ability has translated well to Open-level competition on the club stage, and we're expecting another uptick in production as she begins her upperclassman journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443104"],"_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-68350e90028b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gering High School has gone all-in on the Class of 2027. Cochran paced the Bulldogs last fall with a whopping 477 kills and some impressive defensive numbers. This is a true six-rotation threat who isn't afraid to get involved in the passing pattern. Gering is poised to make a postseason push with transformative talents like Cochran paving the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458174"],"_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-68350e90028f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Homolka's 400-kill campaign with Central City drew some well-deserved attention. Not only has Homolka been tearing it up on the small-town prep scene, but her impact with Nebraska Juniors has been just as significant. We've always been drawn to Homolka's ability to go pass-to-attack and neutralize any service pressure wielded by opposing teams. It's scary to think Homolka could be even more dominant this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521192"],"_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-68350e900293e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Platteview High School has long been a hotbed of prep volleyball talent, and Stukenholtz has entered that conversation. She averaged 4.3 digs per set with the Trojans last fall and has taken another step forward in the Premier Nebraska gym. Premier 16 Red has leaned on its army of "littles" throughout the 2025 season, allowing players like Stukenholtz to ascend the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458152"],"_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-68350e90029c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We dubbed this year's Lightning 17-1 squad as the Columbus Lakeview "super team." This stacked squad called upon Lakeview standouts from multiple classes, and Greisen was a major torchbearer for the Class of 2027. She locked down the team's libero position and brought a strong, steady platform to the backcourt. The Midwest Power League allowed us to watch Greisen dig heat against the state's best attackers, so she will be well prepared for another successful season with Lakeview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773500"],"_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-68350e9002a0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bosshart is another small-town 2027 who played up a year with her club. She was a high-impact middle blocker with Nebraska Elite 17-2 this year, but Bosshart also has ample experience on the pins. She got into the action with Arlington High School last year and will likely see a much larger role as a junior--no matter which position Bosshart plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->