Nebraska 2028 Top 50: Elite Middles Poised for Sophomore Surge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a deeper dive into that new ranked list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, we've just made a massive overhaul to our Nebraska 2028 rankings. This release introduced our first Top 50 of the class--the first of many rankings updates for the 2028s. Of course, this exclusive group is bound to produce some star sophomores for the high school circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blockers will be particularly effective, and we have so many names to choose from for this feature. Underclassmen are leading the way at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774910"],"_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-68a50ddfacee1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rink is one of several [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 2028s who excelled while playing up a year this spring. This Lincoln Southwest sophomore brought all the skills and range we'd expect from a standout middle blocker in the VCN gym. She teed off on 'gap' sets throughout the club season and developed a wicked slide behind the setter. Rink is carrying on a family tradition with the Silver Hawks and could break into a veteran-laden lineup as an underclassman. Another postseason push is looming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739707"],"_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-68a50ddfacf91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have a new defending Class B champion for the first time in a decade, and Piening is hoping to establish a new Norris dynasty. This middle-opposite hybrid logged plenty of reps during her debut prep season, but her stock took off while competing with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy. Piening was a rangy attacking option in the frontcourt who became increasingly comfortable as the season progressed. That development culminated in a podium finish at GJNC and a wealth of summer momentum for this rising sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737386"],"_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-68a50ddfad01c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps you could view Fowlkes as the "wildcard" of this feature. She's listed as a middle blocker, but we've seen this Omaha Gross Catholic standout terminate from anywhere along the net. Fowlkes amassed over 200 kills with the Cougars last fall, laying the foundation for her outstanding club tenure with Premier Nebraska 15 Gold. Spring competition revealed Fowlkes' positional range, but she anchored the middle blocker spot when 15 Gold was at its best. The team's championship triumph at GJNC has brought Fowlkes back into the spotlight as we approach Year 2 on the prep side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746498"],"_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-68a50ddfad0ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gretna High School was the "freshman juggernaut" in last year's Class B race, so we were bound to include a sophomore Dragon for this 2025 preview. Like many of the athletes on this feature, Webster played some of her best volleyball this summer during a late postseason effort. She helped Premier Nebraska 16 Black ascend the GJNC hierarchy in 16 Freedom and was a go-to attacker in the middle. Webster knows how to operate away from the setter and expose seams in the opposing block. We also watched Webster flourish as a frontcourt defender who produced positive block touches for 16 Black's defense. Webster's triple-digit kill output last fall was just the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774654"],"_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-68a50ddfad17b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sonntag brings unmatched physicality and length to this feature. She oscillated between middle blocker and opposite for Nebraska Elite 15 Koa and was a shutdown defender in either role. We got an early glimpse at Sonntag's blocking range when she led Omaha Duchesne in the category during her debut high school season. She then found her groove as an attacker while 15 Koa sparred with the nation's best squads at the Open level. Sonntag's incredible ceiling cemented her early spot in our 2028 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572605"],"_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-68a50ddfad203"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had no shortage of small-town options to choose from after South Central NE 15 Black's special run to the GJNC podium. Cederburg was an early entry on our 2028 watch list after her showcase dominance on the Prep Dig Circuit. The Minden sophomore took those skills to the club side and was an all-around force for 15 Black. Minden's recent history of standout middle blockers provides even more optimism for Cederburg's upcoming prep campaign. The goal is simple: back-to-back-to-back titles for the Whippets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->