Curtain Call: Nebraska’s Star Seniors Looking to Go Out on Top

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time for the last hurrah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 has given us so much over the past few years. These transformative athletes have delivered dramatic moments, unforgettable performances, and an infinite catalog of memories. As we pivot toward this week's state tournament, we realize these star seniors have reached the end of their journeys on Nebraska's prep stage. Time flies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And what better way to go out than with a state title? As we enjoy the final ride for the Class of 2026, these big names will be solely focused on some unfinished business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275935"],"_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-6909272277058"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's been our wire-to-wire No. 1 overall player in Nebraska's Class of 2026 rankings. That distinction is impressive enough, but West has only furthered her greatness in her final year with Omaha Skutt Catholic. The North Carolina commit has become the SkyHawks' all-time kills leader while putting down a career-high 4.8 terminations per set this fall. West has somehow churned out a 0.446 hitting percentage while opposing teams dedicate entire scouting reports to stopping her. This state tournament is about starting a new SkyHawk title streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219728"],"_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-69092722770b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cross County's district final upset over Morrill has propelled one of the state's most versatile athletes into the postseason. Hengelfelt has shouldered various roles throughout her prep career, including leading roles as a pin hitter and a setter. Her niche with the Cougars is simple: put the ball away. Hengelfelt has responded with 5.2 kills per set and extensive contributions in the back row. She's done it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275901"],"_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-6909272277162"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkhorn North couldn't have asked for a smoother setter transition when Booth took the reins last fall...from her older sister. Indeed, the Booth name has been a permanent fixture throughout Elkhorn North's short history. Hayden has carved her own path as a dynamic leader who can set anyone from anywhere, and it's leading to some eye-popping numbers on the stat sheet. A colossal 10.3 assist-per-set clip has put Booth and the Wolves squarely in Class B title contention for another year. The field is stacked, but that won't deter one of Nebraska's premier senior setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349457"],"_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-6909272277203"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sjuts makes it easy to forget that she hasn't always been a setter in the Lincoln Lutheran gym. The Wayne State commit spent her first three seasons at middle blocker, racking up over two kills per set and hitting over 0.300. However, club competitions with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] revealed Sjuts' rare ability to transition from the middle to a full-time setter. Her smooth hands have dished out 9.2 assists per set this fall as the Warriors chase a five-peat in Class C1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275961"],"_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-6909272277248"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wattier is a triple-double threat every time she steps on the court. She immediately entered Norfolk Catholic's lineup as a freshman in 2022, helping the Knights climb to a state title match appearance. Even as a first-year player, Wattier emerged as a setter-opposite hybrid who could do anything around the dial. After primarily terminating in last year's frontcourt, Wattier is back to dishing the offense with eight assists per set. However, we won't be surprised to see Wattier take a few of her own swings this postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253934"],"_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-690927227728e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2026 class has engineered a Millard South renaissance, and Erwin has been right in the middle of it--figuratively and literally. This imposing middle blocker has crushed all of her prior season stats this year, racking up nearly 300 kills on a 0.351 clip. We've documented Erwin's development on the club side as she climbed the ladder to Premier Nebraska's top 17s squad. That Open-level experience has helped Erwin guide the Patriots to one of their best seasons of the 21st century.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275896"],"_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-6909272277317"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to overstate the value of libero excellence during Papio South's multi-year reign in Class A. 2025 is the final act for Dyrstad, who will join older sister Kenzie at Rutgers next fall. The Dyrstad name has clearly left its imprint on the Titan backcourt, and Kami has been at her best with 5.3 digs per set as a senior. Of course, that doesn't take into account Dyrstad's unflappable serve receive to keep Papio South's offense flowing. Expect more of the same in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->