Standout 2027s Stepping Up for Nebraska’s State Title Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becoming an upperclassman can bring out the best in prep athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we're nearly midway through October, we have a good feel for Nebraska's top title contenders in each class. Familiar powerhouses rise to the forefront while new challengers enter the mix. A common thread always materializes among these teams: standout upperclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 is the newest addition to the upperclassman ranks. These talented juniors have made a remarkable impact on Nebraska's elite squads, and that theme will persist through the postseason. Breakout 2027s will undoubtedly dominate our November coverage in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's get ahead of the curve with a few names that have already jumped out while competing with the state's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458125"],"_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-68eae8d0c5b56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omaha Concordia earned a shoutout when we previewed some <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/nebraskas-must-see-late-season-matchups-class-c1-and-c2/">big upcoming contests</a> in Class C1 and C2. And, if the Mustangs manage to take down the Class B juggernauts from Columbus Lakeview, Snyder likely will have played a big part in the triumph. This exceptional left-side hitter is terminating at a scorching 0.346 clip while leading Concordia with 4.4 kills per set. Her extraordinary production is the culmination of a constant rise that began during Snyder's freshman year. We're not surprised to see this prep success after Club Legacy 16 Alpha's special season on the club circuit. Now, Snyder is determined to bring those championship accolades to the fall stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735067"],"_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-68eae8d0c5baf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Christian is back in the tournament hunt after multiple postseason appearances this decade. Sanborn has helped engineer this Eagle resurgence with a career-high three kills per set on a 0.306 attacking percentage. This physical athlete is at her best when roaming the middle blocker position, but Sanborn can also generate clutch sideout swings on the outside. No matter where she is along the net, Sanborn draws a lot of attention in a Nebraska Christian offense with plenty of balance and firepower. That's a recipe for tournament success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443105"],"_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-68eae8d0c5bf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A change of venue has not slowed Meints' ascent. The former Beatrice standout joined Norris this fall and has immediately emerged as one of the Titans' best terminators. She boasts a 0.335 hitting percentage while meshing with Norris' fast, multi-faceted attack. Meints can tee off in front of the setter or handle slower tempos along the net. Her positional versatility gives Norris yet another layer of offense to fuel the team's undefeated run. Can anyone stop this juggernaut?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498993"],"_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-68eaef200c546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">John just reached 1,000 career kills at Gering High School, but she still has another important box to check with her team. The Bulldogs have not reached the postseason since 2011, so John has a little extra motivation to usher in a new era. She's putting down four kills per set on a 0.313 average, placing Gering among the most prolific scoring squads in Class B. We're used to seeing big-city powerhouses dominate the Class B field, but Gering has climbed to the No. 7 spot with a 24-7 record. John and her crew will keep aiming higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498978"],"_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-68eaef200c5a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pierce is on a late-season tear with high-profile wins over teams like Norfolk Catholic, Wayne, and Laurel-Concord-Coleridge. Last year's Class C1 semifinalist is showing more of its championship form, and Riggert is right in the middle of it. She has seized the setter role in 2025, churning out a whopping 10.5 assists per set as Pierce's new leader at the position. We were previously acquainted with Riggert's all-around game as an attacker and defender, but now she's embracing her best skill as a distributor. The Bluejays will be a force in district play, no matter where they land in the wildcard hierarchy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498987"],"_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-68eaef200c5ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small-town setters are soaring. Elfgren has maintained Overton's high standards after the school's long-awaited title breakthrough in 2023. The Eagles sit atop the current Class D1 standings and have leaned on their junior setter throughout this year's 22-2 campaign. Elfgren has dished 9.3 assists per set in her second season in the full-time starting role. Aside from her ability to put hitters in great positions, Elfgren also contributes to Overton's vaunted defense in the right-back area. Elfgren and her team know the route to Lincoln.</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-68eaef200c631"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The defending Class D2 champs are looking for another trip to the mountaintop--now in Class D1. We know how well Shelton can score, but don't overlook Willis' tireless effort in the libero jersey. The junior defender has doubled her statistical production from last year with 4.7 digs per set as the leading Bulldog DS. Willis consistently generates pinpoint digs to feed Shelton's outstanding transition offense. This operation has yielded a 20-3 record and another climb in the wildcard standings. New class, same results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->