Nebraska 2029s Ready for Big Debut on Postseason Stage

This is quite a way to kick off a prep career.   Much of our recent coverage has honed in on teams and players on the cusp of a new postseason journey. The regular season is wrapping up, and we're due for plenty of drama as we head into district play. This late-season pressure will give us a new wave of standouts to cover--even among Nebraska's youngest subset of high school athletes.   Freshmen bring a layer of uncertainty, intrigue, and excitement to every fall postseason stretch. Perhaps youthfulness brings a certain naivety that proves advantageous in high-pressure moments. Whatever the case, we expect Nebraska's 2029s to show out in Lincoln next month.   Here are a few notable names that could end up in that spotlight.    Bauer has already made her mark on various stages, so her emergence on the prep side is no surprise. This high-flying frontcourt attacker stood out with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite, which upgraded its GJNC bid multiple times throughout the 2025 campaign. We then reconvened with Bauer at our Prep Dig Freshman Showcase and watched her physicality flourish. That leads to her freshman outing with Grand Island Northwest, where Bauer's is putting up the team's third-best blocking total and a 0.223 hitting percentage on the offensive end. The Vikings will pull talent from any class in pursuit of their postseason return.     We're staying in central Nebraska for our next entry, too. Adams Central has climbed to Class C1's top eight with Hinton setting the tone along the net. She is poised to soar past 300 kills on the season and has already carved out a permanent role in the back row. Hinton exhibits range and spatial awareness beyond her years, constantly keeping opposing defenses off balance. The Patriots have racked up postseason appearances over the past several years, and Hinton could keep the tradition alive for seasons to come.     Amherst High School boasts one of the most physical frontcourts on Nebraska's small-town circuit. This picture wouldn't be complete without Bosshamer, an imposing middle blocker who can score over the top of any hands in front of her. Bosshamer has churned out about two kills per set this year, but her true dominance materializes on the defensive end. She is credited with an incredible 71 blocks on the season--a rare feat while adjusting to the pace of high school competition. Bosshamer has been ready for the challenge, and Amherst has stormed ahead to Class D1's top wildcard spot.     Gering High School's spectacular junior outside hitters have drawn a lot of attention, but there's even more talent lurking in the Class of 2029. Canales boasts a whopping five digs per set to bolster the Bulldogs' penchant for long rallies. Of course, Canales' strong passes also help Gering deliver the first-ball sideouts needed to stay ahead of the curve. Class B remains a gauntlet, but Gering is in the hunt.     Bishop Neumann has one of the most freshman-laden stat sheets among Nebraska's championship favorites. Wiese has the defensive side of that sheet taken care of. The freshman libero is averaging nearly four digs per set while commanding an uber-effective Cavalier defense. Bishop Neumann's balance of firepower and consistent ball control has yielded a 24-7 record and a No. 8 placement in the latest Class C1 wildcard update. The work is not done yet.     Even a No. 1 wildcard team can have its share of outstanding underclassmen. Pinkelman has burst onto the scene for Wynot, the current frontrunner in Class D2's standings. The Blue Devils have leveraged Pinkelman's six-foot-one frame to produce game-changing blocks and positive touches. Her productivity also appears on the stat sheet, where Pinkelman has amassed over 120 kills to rank third on the team. Wynot would bring a ton of veteran leadership to the state tournament field, but don't forget about the up-and-coming stars in the frontcourt.     Sumner-Eddyville-Miller has not yielded since the team's 2023 state title triumph. New lineup additions have maintained the Mustangs' high standards, and Jones is a perfect example. The first-year terminator just eclipsed triple-digit kills for S-E-M, but Jones' influence in the back row has been even more remarkable. She's racking up 5.5 digs per set while nailing passes to set up S-E-M's electric offense. This all-around impact is rare for a freshman, let alone one competing with a title contender. The Mustangs are third in the Class D2 wildcard hierarchy and are rolling into the sub-district round.

This is quite a way to kick off a prep career.