New Must-See Middle Blockers in Nebraska 2028 Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're loading up in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week has been all about breaking down our newly released Nebraska 2028 rankings. We've highlighted the new Top 100 in this group of star-studded sophomores, but the overhaul goes far beyond the ranked list. It's time to introduce the next in line to join the rankings, as our watch list has expanded, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the many trends we can identify from our updated watch list, one thing stands out immediately: we have a lot of new middle blockers in the database. It's enough to make a standalone feature and bring some fresh faces into the 2028 spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814806"],"_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-696065040d737"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll bend the rules a bit and start with a new middle blocker who skipped the watch list entirely. Ridder jumped right into our Top 100 after anchoring another star-studded Guardian Angels Central Catholic frontcourt. She amassed over 150 kills as a sophomore and joined her older sister atop GACC's efficiency charts. We watched Ridder become increasingly comfortable as a transition attacker, working hard to come off the net and square up with her setter. Her physicality also yielded about half a block per set for the Bluejay defense. Last fall's tournament appearance has laid the foundation for Ridder and GACC to reach even higher in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930829"],"_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-696065040d7da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thayer Central's recent renaissance has brought several new stars to our attention, and Havel is the latest example. This multi-position star piled up over 300 kills as a sophomore, giving the Titans another difficult layer to defend. This uptick in production was a game-changer that kept Thayer Central in the championship hunt after 2024's runner-up effort. We have Havel listed as a middle blocker, but her high-volume scoring may be best suited on the outside. She'll do whatever it takes to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811397"],"_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-696065040d835"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkhorn Valley knows all about high-impact middle blockers. The Falcons were led at the position by a pair of underclassmen, and Koch carried the banner for the Class of 2028. She soared up Nebraska's sophomore leaderboard with 67 total blocks and reached triple-digit kills as a go-to scoring threat. Even when Koch isn't piling up numbers in the stat sheet, she has a knack for finding the ball and producing positive touches for her team's transition defense. Expect to hear more from Elkhorn Valley with the team returning so much talent from its 2025 lineup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737384"],"_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-696065040d886"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll now venture to Giltner for another athlete who can flip between positions at any moment. Schutt is among the Hornets' longest athletes, making her an ideal blocking asset in the middle. However, it's impossible to ignore Schutt's ability to take a large volume of sets and find ways to score. She tallied four kills per set last fall and took many of her clutch swings from the pin. Regardless of where she finds herself at the net, Schutt will remain Giltner's primary weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930860"],"_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-696065040d8ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's our Class D1 champion again. Amherst climbed the state tournament ladder in 2025 and highlighted a wide array of age groups and positions along the way. Simmons was another one of Amherst's switch-up hitters who participated in the team's diverse routes and combination plays. This effort yielded over 300 kills on an offense that boasted some tremendous balance and efficiency. Having such a prolific sophomore scorer bodes well for Amherst's quest to repeat this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930830"],"_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-696065040d91d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Time to introduce Stuart's most effective scorer in 2025. Sheffield led a huge cast of sophomores in last year's Bronco lineup and churned out 2.4 kills per set at the net. Aside from her terminal prowess and team-leading efficiency, Sheffield also notched a rare milestone: over 100 blocks in a single season. Her net presence led to matchup nightmares for opposing teams, and Sheffield could clamp down on hitters from pin to pin. This high-flying 2028 is an extraordinary contributor in every phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930836"],"_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-696065040d967"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The middle blocker spot has featured some of the biggest year-over-year jumps on Nebraska's prep circuit. Smith played sparingly for Grand Island Lutheran as a freshman but exploded onto the scene in Year 2. She became the Lightning's second-leading scorer and commanded the team's productive block, too. Her best work came in front of the setter, where Smith's quickness off the floor shone. Central Nebraska has another good one to keep on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->