Stat-Stuffing Sophomores Starting Hot in 2025 High School Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's underclassmen are setting the tone right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of our coverage from Week 1 of the high school season has focused on returning veterans from powerhouse programs. However, young emerging stars will have a major say in which squads climb to the top this November, and big-time statistical performances are already rolling in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's riff on a few Nebraska 2028s who are already lighting up the scoreboard this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575235"],"_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-68ba429963b16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Are we really surprised to see Dostal near the top of Nebraska's scoring charts? The high-flying Gretna outside hitter led the Dragons' scoring onslaught as a freshman, and this year's club campaign with Premier Nebraska 15 Gold ended with a 15 USA title at GJNC. Still, Dostal has managed to raise the bar further with 4.2 kills per set to open the 2025 campaign. Much of this production came against elite foes at the Bellevue West Invite, adding to Dostal's greatness among her peers. Look for the Dragons to make another postseason push after last year's quarterfinal berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737393"],"_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-68ba429963b87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gerths is another 2028 attacker who made a quick impression through her monster numbers as a freshman. She amassed over 300 kills for Guardian Angels Central Catholic last fall, but she's eager to go even higher in 2025. Gerths has started with 4.5 kills per set as a sophomore, as the Bluejays find any way possible to get her involved. Moreover, Gerths has exhibited the defensive prowess needed to maintain a permanent six-rotation presence. This uptick in production could be enough to atone for GACC's postseason hiatus in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["813087"],"_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-68ba429963bde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Expect a few more small-town stars to loom large on Nebraska's stats leaderboard. Propp leads all Nebraska sophomores with 5.1 kills per set through eight sets of work with Cozad High School. The Haymakers have found several creative ways to use Propp in the frontcourt, whether it's in the middle or on the outside. Propp's ability to terminate on any tempo lets Cozad operate a step ahead of opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["571950"],"_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-68ba429963c31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Christian is forming a habit of producing game-changing setters. Hunnicutt was a centerpiece of [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite's success this spring, so her emergence on the prep side is no surprise. This quick, efficient setter has dished out a whopping 9.7 assists per set en route to Nebraska Christian's 5-1 start. Hunnicutt's presence in the lineup has also allowed other Eagle starters to dial up their attacking skills in the front row. That could be the recipe for a tournament return this November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774648"],"_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-68ba429963cb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brandt was a do-everything player for Fremont in her freshman debut last fall. She played a bit of defensive specialist, setter, and could turn the tide through her aggressive serve. One year later, Brandt has earned the right to lead the Fremont offense and has churned out plenty of helpers in the process. This dynamic sophomore has churned out 8.4 assists per set through ten sets this season and has also stepped up in the dig department. Brandt's efforts have helped the Tigers to a 4-1 start and a high early standing on the Class A ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572680"],"_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-68ba429963d04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The graduation of standout libero Margaret Williams left a big defensive void for Gretna East this year. Fortunately, Beethe has the skill and high-level experience to take over as the team's backcourt anchor. She is already credited with triple-digit digs this year and has produced a wealth of quality passes that don't show up on a basic box score. Beethe joined Dostal for Premier Nebraska 15 Gold's GJNC triumph in Dallas, so she will not shy away from Gretna East's rigorous Class B gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792035"],"_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-68ba429963d53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's one more for the small-town crowd. Lutheran High Northeast has several impressive building blocks for the future, and Baumgartel will fortify the Eagles' end line for years to come. She has started the season with a four-dig-per-set clip for LHNE and is on pace to quickly match her total from last year. Baumgartel can also take the initiative as a secondary setter to keep her squad's out-of-system offense flowing. Lutheran High Northeast is heading for a considerable improvement in the win column this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->