Small-Town 2027s Entering Nebraska’s Early-Season Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to take this show on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of our most recent features camped out in Nebraska's capital city, where <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/lincoln-area-attackers-bringing-early-heat-in-2025-season/">numerous attackers</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/lincoln-area-liberos-digging-in-during-early-season-action/">defensive specialists</a> have generated headlines after this fall's first handful of matches. However, we're also committed to covering the heartbeat of prep volleyball in the Cornhusker State: small-town schools and communities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's rural stars have given us countless coverage opportunities over the past several years. The high school season allows us to reconnect with several notable names we didn't see on the club side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 is bringing a medley of new and familiar small-town standouts into the mix, so let's visit with a few of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["365054"],"_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-68cb2ea30b690"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Timmons' attacking volume and effectiveness are nearly unmatched. What else is new? The Fairbury High School outside hitter immediately turned heads when she put up five kills per set in her first season with the Jeffs. Timmons is back above that average two years later, and she's hitting at an astonishing 0.385 percentage along the way. Aside from Timmons' scoring prowess, the Jeffs are also keen on making their leading scorer a big part of the serve-receive pattern. Timmons can do it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735200"],"_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-68cb2ea30b733"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cambridge has become a permanent fixture at the state tournament, and Holtze plans to keep up the status quo. Versatility is a major storyline here, as Holtze is a go-to attacker and a savvy distributor at the setter spot. She has accumulated a career-best 4.2 kills per set while also shouldering a part-time setter role with 3.4 assists per set. If you're looking for a constant triple-double threat, Holtze is the one to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591597"],"_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-68cb2ea30b7b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've grown familiar with Baldwin's game-changing physicality through her work at the net with South Central NE. The Sutton junior isn't just a first-tempo hitter in front of the setter. Baldwin can also capitalize on slower paces that allow her sky-high reach to take command. The result is nearly three kills per set while also leading the Fillies in the blocking category. High-level club experience is paying off as Sutton remains a "feeder program" for South Central NE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458142"],"_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-68cb2ea30b836"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hilker's rise from our watch list to the rankings is overdue. She has consistently upped her distribution numbers since she earned O'Neill's starting setter role as a freshman. Hilker has flourished as an upperclassman with 11.4 assists per set en route to O'Neill's 8-2 start. The Eagles will face additional tests with matches against Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Elgin Public/Pope John, and Cedar Catholic next on the docket. Hilker won't shy away from the pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735210"],"_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-68cb2ea30b8a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Setters are getting a little more attention with Cansler joining our small-town feature. The Archbishop Bergan signal-caller has matched the 8.6 assists per set she put up as a sophomore. The Knights have turned this into an extraordinary 13-1 mark and a strong early placing in the Class C2 wildcard standings. Once again, we're seeing small-town talent worthy of a big bump into our 2027 ranked list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498984"],"_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-68cb2ea30b919"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shelton High School is eager to reach powerhouse status after the school's first state volleyball triumph last fall. Willis has helped maintain the Bulldogs' high standards with a whopping 5.1 digs per set in the backcourt. She is on pace to surpass her dig total from last year before we reach October--a colossal accomplishment for one of Shelton's most promising 2027s. The school's current senior class draws a lot of attention, but don't forget about Willis carrying the banner for the juniors.</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-68cb2ea30b992"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stukenholtz has brought her small-town stardom to the club stage with Premier Nebraska, where her lockdown defense was a highlight of 16 Red's eventful spring campaign. On the high school side, this instinctive defender has churned out digs for a Platteview program familiar with impactful liberos. Stukenholtz has started with a 4.6 dig-per-set average, building off a similarly gaudy clip she had as a sophomore. The Trojans have roared to an 11-3 start behind a wicked combination of ball control and terminal attackers, so we could see Stukenholtz step up to the tournament stage this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->