New Small-Town Gems on Nebraska 2028 Watch List (Pt. 1)

We're venturing beyond the Top 50.   This week's coverage has been a medley of preseason previews and analysis of our latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/">Nebraska 2028 rankings update</a>. We have a <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/nebraska-2028-rankings-update-the-first-top-50/">new Top 50</a>, but that's not the only big storyline from this release. 75 new names have joined our database, giving us a whole new crop of sophomores to follow this fall.   Let's hone in on the small-town scene to introduce a few of them. We have no shortage of options for this one.    We're starting with a Tri County standout who has also excelled on the club stage with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']. Hoesche's dynamic, explosive approach on the left side yielded 2.7 kills per set for the Trojans last fall. Tri County was also not shy about wielding its first-year attacker in the back row, allowing Hoesche to rack up over 200 digs and a wealth of serve-receive reps. Last year's 20-13 campaign lays the foundation for Hoesche and Tri County to climb even further in 2025.     Our next stop on the small-town tour takes us to the Nebraska-Kansas border. Epp brought plenty of firepower to the Alma frontcourt and finished third on the team with 2.2 kills per set. Her quickness off the floor made her an ideal choice for out-of-system situations, elevating Alma's offense when it was needed most. This produced another uptick in the win column as the Cardinals improved to a 20-11 mark in 2024. Epp's debut on our watch list is just the start of her ascent on the small-town scene.     We're heading north. Valentine High School had several underclassman contributors last fall, and Janssen led all players in several statistical categories. She paced the Badgers with 2.1 kills per set and also posted a team high in aces. And, like many small-town standouts, Janssen brings tremendous multi-sport influence for Valentine and is already thriving on the Class C2 circuit. Look for her to pilot the Badger offense again this fall.     We can always find some six-rotation gems around Nebraska's rural circuit. Pohlman's 2.3 kills per set as a freshman encapsulated only part of her terrific production at Stanton High School. She also piled up 4.1 digs per set while exhibiting her defensive range in multiple zones along the end line. The Mustangs loomed large in last year's Class C2 race and have the tools needed to take the next step. Pohlman will help get the team there.     Like Pohlman, Mlady has the kind of all-around influence that makes her impossible to keep off the floor. She led Bloomfield in kills per set, blocks, hitting percentage, digs, and aces as a freshman. That covers almost everything. Mlady's extraordinary length allows her to sky over opposing blockers no matter where she's swinging along the net. The Bees have found creative ways to get Mlady involved and will go back to the well in Year 2.     Here's a rising sophomore who already has postseason experience. Amherst High School leaned on a few first-year standouts in 2024 and returned to the Class D2 tournament behind this youth movement. Fisher amassed triple-digit kills on the left side but had an even bigger impact as a ball-control weapon. She stabilized the back row while churning out 2.2 digs per set for the Broncos. Last year's postseason breakthrough could be the prelude to championship contention as Fisher's career progresses.     How about a do-everything athlete for your list? Harrison was a prototypical setter-opposite for Lawrence-Nelson who found every way possible to fill the stat sheet. She racked up over 100 kills last fall but transitioned to a setter role in the back row. Harrison dished out over four assists per set in this dual role and was rock-solid in right-back floor defense, too. Several seniors depart from the 2024 squad, so Harrison's influence will likely expand this fall.

We're venturing beyond the Top 50.