Which Pin Hitters Surprised Us at NSAA State Tournament? (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":904061,"width":"323px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/PD_ExposureTour_NE.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-904061" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"21px"},"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color" style="font-size:21px"><strong><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2017/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-nebraska?coupon=KingsleyPD25"><em>Click here to register with my coupon code!</em></a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:18px"><strong>Class of 2026-2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">Nov. 29, 10:00 a.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">UBT Sports Complex (Nebraska Elite) | Elkhorn, NE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":904060,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/Kingsley_Code_ExposureTour.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-904060" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have plenty of options here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surprise tournament performers remain a popular focus of our postseason coverage. We've already discussed setters, middle blockers, and liberos who took a step forward on Nebraska's biggest prep stages. That leaves us with pin hitters, the broadest and most plentiful group of all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, whether it's outsides or opposites, these players went above and beyond expectations when the stakes were highest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464760"],"_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-691ced7002aa0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pin hitters were busy during Johnson County Central's five-set quarterfinal thriller against Yutan. Lubben was terminal throughout this instant classic, producing 18 kills on 54 swings. The veteran also showed us why she was a six-rotation anchor throughout the Thunderbirds' perfect regular-season run. Her instincts as a primary passer helped keep JCC in system and operate one of Nebraska's most efficient offenses. This senior did it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833522"],"_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-691ced7002b3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laurel-Concord-Coleridge's balanced offense brought several different stars in the spotlight this fall. Eriksen capitalized on the biggest spotlight of all during LCC's ascent to the Class C2 title match. She tallied 16 kills in the team's upset win over Norfolk Catholic and displayed her full repertoire on the left pin. Eriksen pounced on open seams in the block and looked more than comfortable in the Bears' up-tempo attack. The Class of 2027 continues to deliver for LCC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521271"],"_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-691a86569f332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln Southeast reached the postseason for the first time since 2017, and Williams made the most of the team's stay in PBA. She recorded 12 kills on a 0.478 clip in LSE's quarterfinal bout with Lincoln North Star, a team featuring many of Williams' club teammates at [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Williams has ample experience on both pins and can even run routes in the middle. That versatility will remain in the spotlight as we transition to spring competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735200"],"_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-691a86569f3f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It would have taken a monster performance for Holtze to exceed anyone's expectations. She racked up over four kills per set while also helping run the show as a backcourt setter. Still, Holtze's all-around operation took us aback from the beginning of the tournament. Cambridge had 27 kills as a team during a quarterfinal sweep over Mullen. Holtze logged 19 of those and assisted on an additional five. That's an unprecedented individual takeover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575218"],"_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-691a86569f3a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Indeed, we're including a player listed as a defensive specialist in our database. Whaley has demonstrated her backcourt prowess in various venues, including high-profile club events and our Prep Dig Circuit showcases. However, Whaley shoulders an all-around attacking role with Ashland-Greenwood and revealed her full repertoire in the Class C1 quarterfinals. She led the Bluejays with 15 kills and polished off a double-double with 12 digs, too. No matter which niche Whaley embraces during the club season, she's bound to stay in the spotlight.</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":"Miley Ricenbaw","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"32564","_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-691ced7002cce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ricenbaw is a sure addition to our Nebraska 2028 database following her outstanding tournament performances. She soared to a double-double in EMF's sweep over Ansley-Litchfield, piling up 12 kills and 15 digs during the dominant effort. We were particularly impressed by Ricenbaw's knack for working off high hands and finding gaps in the opposing floor defense. The Bobcats will be looking for new leading attackers next fall, and Ricenbaw is a perfect candidate.</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":"Brecken Albers Dorn","_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":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Freeman","_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-691ced7002dac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about a freshman taking her powerhouse team to another level? Freeman High School was already gaining momentum after last year's tournament appearance, but Albers Dorn stepped onto the scene and helped the Falcons reach higher. The first-year left-side hitter made an enormous tournament entrance with 12 kills on a 0.300 clip against Thayer Central. Albers Dorn had double-digit kills in all of Freeman's postseason contests, including the four-set win in the C2 title match. What a way to kick off a career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->