Eyes on 2029: Nebraska Freshmen on our Radar after State Tourney

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You knew this one was coming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've explored several different themes, position groups, and storylines during our run of postseason coverage. However, one major gap remains: first-year phenoms.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's Class of 2029 made quite an impression during its debut stint on the prep circuit. Even the state's top volleyball powerhouses were not afraid to lean on underclassmen. That made the state tournament even more compelling for those looking for the next wave of talent to lead us into the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to find out which newcomers embraced the pressure and intensity of tournament volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765196"],"_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-691fe62f10efd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Running the show for a Class A frontrunner is daunting enough, but doing it as a freshman is even more remarkable. Meister immediately cracked this year's starting lineup at Omaha Westside and proved she could play in whatever system the Warriors deployed. She got plenty of reps in a 5-1 during Westside's five-set semifinal slugfest against North Star, tallying 21 assists and three blocks. Her impact on the upcoming club season should generate even more headlines.</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":"Mya Pinkelman","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wynot","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-691fe62f10fad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wynot wielded a Pinkelman platoon en route to this year's Class D2 title. The last Pinkelman iteration is a physical freshman who can terminate over, around, or through any opposing block. Pinkelman also showed her range in the various routes she ran along the net, swinging as a right-side hitter in first-ball situations. Her intimidating presence will keep the Blue Devils in the spotlight after a historic 2025 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775339"],"_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-691fe62f10ffc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can always count on Norris to bring some fresh defensive talent into the spotlight. The [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] standout played various DS roles throughout the 2025 season and tallied several clutch digs during the Class B title bout against Elkhorn North. The Titans are not afraid to throw Ramsey in the passing formation and let her operate on first contact. It's a high honor on a Norris squad that is stacked with elite passers.</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":"Camilla Michalski","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Shelton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-691fe62f11085"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was easy to be enthralled by the senior stars on this year's Shelton squad, but we can't lose sight of the emerging freshman making a difference along the net. Michalski joined the 2024 state champs this fall and led the team with 57 total blocks. She positions her arms well, allowing her to smother tight sets along the tape. We also saw Michalski progress as an attacker at the state tournament, and her tireless transition work always gives the Bulldogs a worthy in-system option. Her influence will expand considerably next fall.</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":"Brynnlye Johnson","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Exeter-Milligan/Friend","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-691fe62f1110b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Exeter-Milligan/Friend hopes to build on back-to-back postseason trips, and Johnson can help keep the Bobcats in the mix. She was essential to EMF's balanced offense and provided a worthy attacking choice behind the setter. Johnson brought her best during the team's dominant semifinal win over Ansley-Litchfield, tabbing six kills on a 0.263 clip. Expect this emerging opposite to up her averages further after gaining so much high-level experience.</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":"Riley Wegner","_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":"null","_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":"Guardian Angels Central Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-691fe62f11191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We finally got an in-person look at the first-year libero who helped keep GACC's high-octane offense in a rhythm. Wegner donned the contrasting jersey for this year's Bluejays and led the team in both digs and aces. She showed a knack for reading opposing attackers at the state tournament and made deliberate first steps to get in the right places. Her 16-dig performance in the quarterfinals is a sign of things to come for Wenger and a young GACC lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903133"],"_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-691fe62f111d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another chance to hype up S-E-M's dynamic, all-around freshman. Jones became the "thunder and lightning" duo with [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] this year and completely transformed the Mustang operation. This savvy attacker can hit on the left or in the middle, giving the Mustangs a bevy of routes to run in first-ball situations. Jones killed the ball at a 0.385 clip against BDS and logged a season-high 15 kills in the third-place match against Dundy County Stratton. She will be the unquestioned frontcourt leader for S-E-M next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->