Stat-Stuffing Pin Hitters Soaring into Nebraska 2029 Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall's high school season had its share of stark first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Nebraska 2029 watch list has finally arrived. This update brings nearly 150 new names to our database, and many of these players were high-impact freshmen on the fall stage. Even first-year athletes can pack the stat sheet and keep pace with the veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pin hitters arguably led the way in this regard. We got a small glimpse at this group's potential through our showcase circuit, but the high school season was the true test of freshman firepower. Several 2029 outsides made a splash with some of Nebraska's most prominent powerhouses, and we have the full scoop in today's feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907289"],"_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-69657e390ee5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meet Nebraska's freshman "kill champion" from the 2025 season. Sherbeyn led all 2029s in total kills and kills per set, finishing last year's campaign with over 400 terminations for Valentine. However, the prep scene wasn't the final venue where Sherbeyn made herself known. She also participated in December's Nebraska Exposure Tour, making the long trek from northern Nebraska to the Nebraska Elite gym. Sherbeyn's effortless athleticism translated well against big-city stars, further boosting her stock among Nebraska's 2029s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775763"],"_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-69657e390ef45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of showcase standouts, this is a good opportunity to check in with our Avoli <em>Committed</em> Athlete from July's Nebraska Freshman Showcase. O'Connell's sky-high contact point and heavy arm stole the spotlight at the event, setting the stage for a big debut season with Omaha Marian. The Crusaders leaned on their first-year pin hitter to the tune of 275 kills and almost 200 total digs. O'Connell brought an influx of termination and ball control that thrust Marian back into the tournament after 2024's hiatus. She should lead the charge again with Premier Nebraska 15 Gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884227"],"_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-69657e390ef98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yes, we have a soft spot for our past showcase gems. Green was another top performer from our Freshman Showcase, and she'll join O'Connell in the Premier Nebraska gym this spring. Stepping into the lineup for a four-time defending champion can be a daunting proposition, but Green handled her responsibilities with outstanding maturity and poise. This yielded 239 kills on a 0.187 clip, finishing second on Lincoln Lutheran's total scoring ledger. She also brought the same first-contact consistency we saw at our showcase, so expect to see Green work around the dial throughout her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932957"],"_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-69657e390eee7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like O'Connell and Green, Hinton wrapped up her freshman season under the bright lights of Pinnacle Bank Arena. This versatile outside hitter was at her best toward the end of 2025, particularly during a 22-kill performance in Adams Central's district final upset over Minden. Hinton exhibits tremendous court vision on the left side and deceives opposing defenders with her range. Adams Central's postseason return would not have been possible without Hinton's 350-kill onslaught in Year 1 with the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["558793"],"_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-69657e390eff0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We first became acquainted with Duran's quick arm at the season-opening Bellevue West Invite, one of Nebraska's most demanding high school invites. This skilled freshman produced several highlight moments for the host squad and laid the foundation for an exceptional debut season. Duran finished with a team-best 2.5 kills per set and was a go-to scorer in out-of-system situations. She'll perpetuate the iron-clad pipeline between Bellevue West and [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] to kick off 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932962"],"_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-69657e390f096"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's one more for the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] crew. Fader will be flying high into the 2026 club season after racking up over 200 kills for Conestoga last fall. The Cougars tabbed a 20-12 mark in Class C1 despite putting so much on a freshman's shoulders. Fader varied her shots well and could mix up her routes in first-ball situations. Her multi-faceted attack is exactly what we'd expect from a [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888498"],"_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-69657e390f043"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's finish on a small-town swing. Scotus Central Catholic's history speaks for itself, so we always have to pay attention when the Shamrocks deploy a freshman outside hitter. Langan rocketed up the stat sheet with 2.2 kills per set and an impressive 0.4 aces per set. Aside from her ability to tee off in the frontcourt, Langan also made the most of her opportunities across the end line. Her passing prowess won't be reflected in a box score, but Scotus knows all about Langan's willingness to lock down the passing pattern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->