Underclassman Setters Thriving in Nebraska’s 2025 Fall Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about a youth movement at the signal-caller spot?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've highlighted a laundry list of standout underclassmen during the first half of Nebraska's 2025 high school season. However, we have yet to dedicate a full feature to the setter position, a place that's tough to manage for any first- or second-year player. The athletes discussed below have met that challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few underclassman setters running the show across the Cornhusker State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572563"],"_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-68d9a69d7c995"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a year for Hoff. We got an up-close look at this Aurora High School star when she competed at last year's Prep Dig Freshman Showcase, but that was just the beginning of her ascent. She suited up with this year's South Central NE 15 Black and led her small-town squad to the GJNC podium. That performance garnered Hoff all-tournament honors, and she's due for more accolades on the prep side. She has accumulated 9.1 assists per set during Aurora's ongoing renaissance at the Class B level. This is just the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["729394"],"_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-68d9a69d7ca32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another past standout from the Prep Dig Circuit. We recently praised Norfolk High School for its hard-hitting, dominant frontcourt, but we can't leave out the ball-control distributors on the back end. Galyen's sophomore campaign has started with about eight assists per set and one of the best blocking ledgers among Nebraska's underclassman setters. We aren't surprised to see some physicality from an athlete who has some experience as a right-side attacker. Galyen's aggressive, risk-taking style is a perfect fit for the Norfolk lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747550"],"_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-68d9a69d7caaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Backemeyer name has been synonymous with volleyball success at Elmwood-Murdock. The latest upholder of the family tradition has generated 7.3 assists per set while guiding a new-look cast of Knights terminators. Backemeyer's leadership with Nebraska Juniors 15 Black on the club side was the perfect prelude to a breakout with Elmwood-Murdock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737390"],"_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-68d9a69d7cb28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wellensiek has drawn attention through her smooth command in the Premier Nebraska gym, and that's quickly translating to Johnson County Central's meteoric 15-0 start. The JCC sophomore has used deception, tempo, and balance to produce a whopping ten assists per set during the undefeated stretch. This isn't the full extent of Wellensiek's influence, either. She also dishes out wicked serves in Rotation 1 to kick up massive scoring runs for the Eagles. The Class C1 hierarchy has transformed through the season's midway point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Belle Taukiuvea","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Centura","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d9a69d7cc37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on the freshmen. Taukiuvea is second among Nebraska freshmen with 9.3 assists per set through nearly 20 matches with Centura. The Centurions are well-situated in the Class C2 wildcard with a 15-4 start, and consistency at setter has a lot to do with it. Taukiuvea demonstrates poise beyond her years and has opened up innumerable split-block opportunities for Centura's hitters. A postseason berth would be a big milestone for the underclassman-led Centurions, who are seeking their first tournament breakthrough since 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Devahney Belville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Valentine","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d9a69d7cd2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Valentine High School has been a frequent discussion topic in the underclassman ranks. The Badgers get their statistical leaders in kills, digs, blocks, and assists from freshmen and sophomores. Belville commands the assist category with 8.8 helpers per set en route to Valentine's winning start to the 2025 campaign. It's a reinvention for a program that has already eclipsed its win total from last season, and Belville has more to gain to close out this fall's surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kennedy Mlady","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bloomfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d9a69d7ce20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One more small-town gem enters the picture. We're compiling several new names for our first Class of 2029 watch list, and Mlady has made her case while starting at Bloomfield's setter spot. She is averaging nearly eight assists per set for the Bees, and Bloomfield has enjoyed an 8-5 start out of the gates. Aside from Mlady's steady hands on the second contact, the first-year game-changer also plays outstanding defense in the right-back area. This has contributed to a gritty collective effort that has kept Bloomfield in thrilling rallies. Expect more of that hustle through the October stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->