Nebraska’s Standout 2028s at First Northern Lights Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Playing up" is back in style for Nebraska's Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northern Lights Qualifier is divided into three different waves, demonstrating the massive scale of this annual USAV event. Just like past seasons, last weekend's wave brought the 17s and 18s into the spotlight. This early-season outing may have been dominated by 2026s and 2027s, but we can't miss out on the "overachievers" climbing the age ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already discussed some of Nebraska's <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/nebraska-17s-teams-surging-after-northern-lights-qualifier/">top-performing 17s squads from NLQ</a>, and the Class of 2028 had its fingerprints all over these high-profile triumphs. It's a big year for this group, so we can't miss out on the chance to spotlight these stellar sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Katelyn Sybrandts","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grand Island Northwest","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69831b76e9a80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're starting with a brand new addition to our recruiting radar. Sybrandts has added firepower, range, and out-of-system termination to [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Lime's left-side hitter spot. Last month's Great Plains Region Gold Series gave us a small glimpse of Sybrandts's wide-ranging skill set, and the Grand Island Northwest sophomore took another step forward at NLQ. Her brand of consistent, error-free volleyball embodies the typical strengths of [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] teams. The club brought three 17s teams to Minneapolis and allowed players like Sybrandts to boost their stock.</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-69831b76e9b6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paneitz has reunited with many of her Lincoln North Star teammates to keep the wins rolling in with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black. The sophomore libero can shoulder various roles with 17 Black, from a defensive substitute to a full-fledged leader in the contrasting jersey. Paneitz can slot into any zone along the backcourt and deliver the pinpoint passing needed to operate 17 Black's quick offense. Last weekend's NLQ trip was another successful stop in 17 Black's busy early-season schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572006"],"_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-69831b76e9f4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Why not complete the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] trifecta? [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy has its share of big-time 2028s, and Wallraff's backcourt excellence has added to that narrative. The Elkhorn North sophomore has soared among her Class of 2028 peers, particularly after she donned the libero jersey for the Wolves last fall. Wallraff's floor defense has generated several highlight-worthy moments, but she's also eager to make the kind of routine, unheralded contributions that define an impactful DS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572011"],"_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-69831b76e9c39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Multi-position frontcourt stars are nothing new in the Banzai VBC gym. Bass has vast experience in the middle and on the right side, giving Banzai VBC 17 Power plenty of lineup options to consider. That versatility made Bass a quick standout at past Prep Dig Showcase events, so we're not surprised to see her excelling with 17 Power. Her performance at the Great Plains Region Gold Series was the perfect prelude to another fruitful campaign in Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746498"],"_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-69831b76e9d01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Webster's penchant for "playing up" made her one of the earliest entries on our initial Nebraska 2028 watch list. Since then, the Gretna middle blocker has carved out a niche as a leading in-system option for Premier Nebraska 17 Black. She works hard in transition to open up 17 Black's offense in long rallies. Webster has already thrived against older competition through her prep career at Gretna, which has produced two seasons of hitting above 0.300 for the Dragons. She's equally efficient in the Premier Nebraska gym and will keep raising the standard for her new-look squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774910"],"_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-69831b76e9e8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite's journey to an Open berth would not have been possible without 2028s like Rink. The Lincoln Southwest middle blocker can execute any of the routes and crossing patterns that 17 Elite often wields in first-ball situations. Rink is equally comfortable in front of the setter and behind, even when 17 Elite is in a three-hitter rotation. Sparring with some of the nation's best 2027s did not stop [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s 2028s from thriving at NLQ, and the same storyline will likely play out this summer. On to Indianapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575237"],"_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-69831b76e9dc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Add another one to the list. 17 Elite has bolstered its right-side hitter depth for 2026, and Zajicek is taking full advantage of the Open stage. Her presence at the opposite position has provided a new layer of physicality and explosiveness for 17 Elite to leverage. Aside from her ability to produce floor-denting kills, Zajicek is also a strong wing blocker who matches up well with opposing outside hitters. That defense is essential to Open success, and VCN 17 Elite gets those contributions from multiple age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->