Small-Town 2028 Prep Stars to Watch in Nebraska’s Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rural athletes can thrive at any level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's high school and club seasons offer a fascinating dichotomy between big-city stars and small-town standouts. The fall campaign offers our best glimpse into Nebraska's top rural athletes, but that's not the full extent of their influence. Club volleyball is drawing more of the state's hidden gems than ever before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's especially true for Nebraska's Class of 2028. The 16s season always draws plenty of eyes, and these names will have our attention early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572563"],"_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-697162058d534"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You knew South Central NE would be somewhere in this conversation. Last year's South Central NE 15 Black crew made waves on club volleyball's biggest stages, and Hoff engineered the triumph at the setter position. This dynamic setter is fresh off an outstanding sophomore tenure at Aurora, averaging 9.4 assists per set en route to the school's best season in years. Hoff will reestablish her connections with a star-studded 16 Black cast, and this spring's Show Me Qualifier will be in the crosshairs yet again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["702898"],"_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-69717ea185832"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have a case of "same school, different club." Luebbe adds to the Aurora ledger for this feature but takes her talents to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] for club competition. Luebbe's high-flying style is a perfect fit for the right-side hitter spot, where she thrived for last year's VCN 15 Elite group. That team climbed the divisional ladder throughout 2025, allowing Luebbe to hone her skills against elite competition on the national circuit. Her ascent continued with Aurora last fall, so expectations are escalating for VCN 16 Elite and their terminal opposite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730564"],"_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-69717ea1858ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We recently published a feature on "new faces in new places" at the Premier Nebraska MLK Invite, and we could have included Timmerman in that conversation. The Norfolk Catholic standout is a new addition to the Premier Nebraska gym and will patrol the end line for 16 Red this year. She compiled an impressive highlight tape during last year's club campaign, including a fruitful visit to AAU Nationals. Timmerman continued her rise with Norfolk Catholic, amassing nearly 400 digs en route to the team's state tournament appearance. That high-level experience will pay dividends as Timmerman adapts to new teammates and a new venue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774700"],"_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-69717ea185948"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fremont High School has been no stranger to high-volume scorers lately, and Fiscus eagerly took that mantle for last year's Tigers. This do-everything attacker exploded onto the Class A scene as a sophomore and led Fremont with four kills per set on a 0.208 clip. Fiscus has the rare ability to score from anywhere along the net--on the right, left, or on slower tempos in the middle. This gives her [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] squad plenty of options this spring, and most of those options will yield efficient termination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774699"],"_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-69717ea1859c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's go from Fremont to Freeman--but we're sticking with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Otto's momentum is peaking after helping Freeman win the Class C2 crown last fall. This explosive pin hitter piled up triple-digit terminations with the Falcons and was at her best during a 12-kill performance in a semifinal bout against Yutan. Otto's range and shot variety were on display with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Titanium in 2025, and she kept developing with her title-winning fall crew. That bodes well for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747550"],"_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-69717ea185a3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Backemeyer captured our attention when she led the charge for last year's Nebraska Juniors 15 Black team. The Elmwood-Murdock sophomore can play around the dial as a 5-1 setter, or she can shoulder attacking duties along the net if needed. Her distribution skills took precedence with the Knights last fall, culminating in 7.7 assists per set for Elmwood-Murdock's underclassman signal-caller. Backemeyer's wide-ranging roles will keep evolving through another year in the Nebraska Juniors gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774688"],"_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-69717ea185ab0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hansborough adds to the list of decorated postseason participants in this feature. Her Ashland-Greenwood team made a late-season charge to reach the big dance in Lincoln. The Club Legacy standout made the most of her time in the spotlight and was a formidable blocking force in the quarterfinal matchup with Omaha Concordia. Club Legacy's 2028s set a high bar after last year's 15 Alpha group won a Show Me title. Hansborough can help keep the good times rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->