State Tournament Stock Risers in Nebraska 2028 Rankings (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the next wave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've begun the detailed and intricate process of discussing our refreshed <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/">Nebraska 2028 rankings</a>. Our first post-release feature delved into sophomore stock risers who launched their rankings ascent through <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/01/state-tournament-stock-risers-in-nebraska-2028-rankings-pt-1/">last fall's state tournament</a>. That feature only scratched the surface of Nebraska's postseason standouts, so we're back for Part 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's get back in the action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["573382"],"_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-695d8668504af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bauer took the next step in her meteoric development last fall, and Lincoln Southeast notched new milestones as a result. We were already acquainted with Bauer's strength as a middle blocker in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym. She established herself as a terminal hitter who thrived on quick sets. However, Bauer used last year's high school season to exhibit her wicked arm as an outside hitter. The Knights dished out slower tempos that allowed Bauer to score over the top of well-formed blocks. She piled up 4.4 kills per set en route to LSE's first postseason berth since 2017, so we had to reward Bauer with a rankings boost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737390"],"_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-695d86685055e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wellensiek has already accumulated a unique medley of experiences on Nebraska's prep circuit. She has tested her mettle on the small-town scene and set Johnson County Central to an undefeated 2025 regular season. Wellensiek has also wielded her steady hands on club volleyball's biggest stages with Premier Nebraska. The sophomore setter has done it all, and we can't wait to see what other venues await Wellensiek in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575063"],"_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-695d8668506d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's stick with the setters. Bartunek landed on our radar after guiding [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Titanium to some impressive performances at the Open level. We expected her to excel as a sophomore at Freeman High School, but 2025 went above and beyond the billing. Bartunek churned out over ten assists per set to rank among Nebraska's elite at her position. Best of all, this savvy distributor was at her best when postseason pressure ramped up. The Falcons' state championship triumph wouldn't have been possible without her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737389"],"_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-695d86685074e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mullen High School ended a decades-long tournament drought, so we undoubtedly have some Broncos to discuss. Donohoe led the revolution with 3.1 kills per set on a 0.242 clip, upping her productive freshman season in 2024. This change-up hitter has the rare ability to hit through any gap along the net, particularly in first-ball situations. We've also seen Donohoe flourish in the back row while also piling up 44 aces from the end line. Last fall's breakout tournament berth was no fluke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877295"],"_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-695d8668507c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another one of Nebraska's best scorers from the rural landscape. Rust more than doubled her kill output from 2024, generating over 300 terminations for an upstart Red Cloud squad. Her impact was never more apparent than in the district finals, where Rust collected 19 kills in a three-set upset win over Sandhills/Thedford. The Warriors leaned on their leader when their season was on the line, even if that leader was just an underclassman. Rust has welcomed her role as Red Cloud's go-to weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774919"],"_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-695d866850873"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paneitz's rankings debut was probably overdue, but her sophomore season certainly sealed the deal. She donned Lincoln North Star's libero jersey in 2025 and helped the Navigators notch their best season in school history. Paneitz was a defensive warrior for Class A's top seed and averaged 3.4 digs per set against hard-hitting offenses. She also commanded the passing pattern and delivered the dimes needed for LNS to operate its up-tempo offense. This exceptional campaign has generated momentum for Paneitz's next tenure in the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["810147"],"_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-695d866850915"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dundy County-Stratton boasted one of Nebraska's most dynamic, multi-faceted offenses last fall, and Spargo was at the center of it all. This explosive middle blocker put down 2.7 kills per set as a sophomore, but her influence went far beyond simple numbers. Spargo was equally comfortable in front of the setter and behind, making her difficult for opposing blockers to track. The Tigers wielded their full array of combination plays during last year's tournament and showcased Spargo's range throughout. Her 12-kill quarterfinal performance against Garden County left a lasting impression that precipitated her rankings breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->