Small-Town Stars Making Big Debuts in Nebraska 2028 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest update has given us a lot of newly ranked players to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, our Nebraska Class of 2028 rankings just received a major overhaul. Dozens of standout sophomores were added to our database, and our ranked list of 50 grew by another 50. This Top 100 is loaded with athletes who took a big step forward as sophomores, and Nebraska's rural gems led the way in this regard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is an invaluable scouting opportunity. We catch up with players we didn't get to see in the club season. Athletes from every corner of the Cornhusker State share the spotlight and demonstrate their progress and development. Last fall's high school season taught us a lot about Nebraska's small-town sophomores, leading to some big-time movers on our 2028 list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few who cemented their spot in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877323"],"_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-695ed3f17ab0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small-town sophomore setters have become a significant storyline. Vanosdall piloted the Platteview offense to the tune of ten assists per set, ranking among Nebraska's top 2028s. She made the transition to a full-fledged 5-1 system and didn't bat an eye. Vanosdall's physicality and aggression play into her net play, and she will remain an upperclassman leader for the Trojans in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["698108"],"_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-695ed3f17abf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's stick with the setters. Pohlman was another notable name on Nebraska's assists chart, averaging 8.5 per set for a 23-9 Stanton squad. The Mustangs profited from Pohlman's ability to track down any pass and keep the offense in a groove while off the net. She can also anchor the right-back area to produce game-changing defensive plays. All of these skills will come into play 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":["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-695ed3f17acbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whaley's career progression has been something to behold. We were first introduced to her backcourt prowess as a lockdown defender for Premier Nebraska. Her ball control skills flourished on the Prep Dig Circuit, too. However, Whaley put on her attacking hat for Ashland-Greenwood last fall, playing around the dial and putting up triple-digit kills. That change-up was the catalyst for a Bluejay breakthrough in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["826902"],"_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-695ed3f17ad81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have another Premier Nebraska standout who takes her talents to her rural roots on the high school side. Taylor was a can't-miss 2028 during last year's club season, playing up a couple of age groups and wielding her lightning-fast arm on the right side. She repped Auburn High School in the fall and put up a team-high 3.5 kills per set in the frontcourt. Taylor can get the job done on either pin, so keep an eye on her positional designation in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758051"],"_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-695ed3f17ae45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elmwood-Murdock's 2028 class is stacked. Haertel chipped in with nearly two kills per set from the middle and ranked second on the team in hitting efficiency. She's an explosive leaper in front of the setter, giving the Knights a reliable in-system option in transition. Haertel's influence persisted as a blocker, as she led Elmwood-Murdock with nearly 70 total blocks last fall. Her volume will skyrocket as her team looks for new go-tos in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["844228"],"_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-695ed3f17af09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Platte St. Patrick's has produced its share of stat-stuffing athletes lately. Uerling is the next in line, leading the 2025 Irish with 3.1 kills per set on the outside. The sophomore has a quick, efficient approach, allowing Uerling to snap on the ball before opposing teams can line up against her. Uerling also managed to lead St. Patrick's in total digs while shouldering all her considerable responsibilities as an attacker. That's an athlete who's ready-made for an upperclassman leadership role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753343"],"_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-695ed3f17afd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] knows how to haul in Seward High School's best. Peterson burst into the lineup last fall and racked up 200 kills on a 0.211 clip. This emergence took us off guard, but perhaps her club tenure with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] should have given us adequate warning. Peterson cashed in on her tireless work in the club season and has become Seward's new big terminator for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["813087"],"_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-695ed3f17b09f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The formula for Propp is simple: loft the ball in her window and let her operate. This tall talent amassed nearly five kills per set last fall, somehow upping her sky-high averages from 2024. Propp is long enough to anchor the middle but can realistically kill the ball from anywhere. Cozad High School will find any way to get Propp involved, so don't pen her in as a one-dimensional middle blocker. Propp will do whatever is necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877333"],"_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-695ed3f17b169"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elm Creek enjoyed a winning season in 2025 and is likely to repeat that feat this fall. Hellriegel's upped her freshman averages dramatically in Year 2, chipping in with 3.4 kills per set and a whopping 5.7 digs per set. That kind of all-around game has blurred the lines between positions, as Hellriegel is proficient enough to play a full-time backcourt role. However, her frontcourt elevation is too good for Elm Creek to pass up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->