Nebraska's Impenetrable Blockers in 2025 High School Season

Let's address an underappreciated skill on the prep stage: blocking.   Blocking is one of the most difficult volleyball skills to master at any level or position. It requires a well-coordinated sequence of eye work, footwork, hand placement, and so much more. Producing big-time blocking statistics is a tremendous feat, and that's what we're honing in on for today's feature.   Which net defenders have put up a wall through the first half of Nebraska's prep season? We have a few impenetrable picks.    Arbuthnot is a stat-stuffing machine who has helped keep Sumner-Eddyville-Miller in the state tournament conversation for 2025. It's easy to hone in on her incredible 5.7 kills per set for the Mustangs this year, but Arbuthnot does so much more in the S-E-M frontcourt. She is also credited with over two blocks per set and has an uncanny ability to line up with opposing attackers. Arbuthnot's championship experience in 2023 is still paying dividends with one of small-town Nebraska's most fascinating programs.     This feature isn't just for middle blockers. We wanted to find a left-side hitter who goes above and beyond the expected blocking production for the position, and Carmichael fits the bill. This year's club season gave us a full glimpse of Carmichael's imposing physicality on the pin, and she's paying that off with a block per set on the outside. The Panthers have dominated the net with their cast of long, athletic blockers. Carmichael is an indispensable part of the equation while also dishing out more than three kills per set for the offense. This is a true all-around gem.     We shouldn't be surprised to see Paup making an appearance among the state's top blockers. She has been a frontcourt force since her freshman debut with Central City, when she produced 0.7 blocks per set for the Bison. Paup has upped that average to 0.9 in 2025, and she is also on pace to soar past last year's kill total, too. We'll have a prominent small-town theme for this feature, so we had to get Paup involved in the action.     Omaha Duchesne has put up some impressive team-wide blocking numbers this fall, so we had a big list of worthy Cardinals to choose from. We're going with Sonntag, the show-stopping sophomore who made considerable gains during this spring's club campaign with Nebraska Elite. Duchesne's physical frontcourt has formed its focal point in the middle, where Sonntag is putting up 1.3 blocks per set and several more positive touches. The Cardinals have leaned on Sonntag's knack for reading opposing setters--a skill that has progressed well beyond her years. More highlight-worthy blocks are in her future.     Cederburg has been on our radar for a while, particularly after her fruitful performance at one of our Prep Dig Showcase events. She is now representing Minden, a two-time defending state champion that's showing no signs of yielding in 2025. The Whippets are 16-5 this year, with Cederburg providing 0.8 blocks per set out of the middle. Her positive momentum dates back to her club tenure with South Central NE 15 Black, which ascended to the GJNC podium this summer. Another postseason push could be on the way with Minden.     We're sticking with the small-town scene a little longer. Dundy County-Stratton's extraordinary 11-2 start has brought several new names into the spotlight, and Spargo leads the way in the middle. This electric sophomore has churned out 1.6 blocks per set while also pacing the offense at nearly three terminations per set. Spargo boasts enough length and reach to smother tight sets at the net, and she can also square up one-on-one against hard-hitting middle blockers. We're eager to see if Spargo's wide-ranging influence can lift the Tigers to this year's postseason stage.

Let's address an underappreciated skill on the prep stage: blocking.