Pin Hitters Soaring in Updated Nebraska 2028 Rankings

This is a big one.   The ongoing 2026 club season has taught us a lot. Every year, a new wave of stock risers emerges in the Great Plains Region and reshapes our perception of the class-by-class hierarchy. This trend is playing out in a big way for the Class of 2028, especially with many top-tier teams recently securing USAV Nationals bids.   So, it's the perfect time to refresh our Nebraska 2028 rankings. We've added 100 new names to the list, but we also have several shuffles to discuss among our existing names in the database. Several 2028s have soared in our latest update, and pin hitters are leading the way.   Bring on the surging stars.    It's hard to ignore [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s resurgent athletes from the Class of 2028. Cain's heavy-handed approach on the right side helped VCNebraska 16 Elite lock up a coveted 16 USA bid through the Northern Lights Qualifier. Her oscillation between pins has been fascinating to follow, as Cain lit up the scoreboard at one of Lincoln Standing Bear's left-side hitter spots. This willingness to shift gears has dramatically raised 16 Elite's ceiling. Indianapolis will provide the ultimate test of how far Cain and VCNebraska can climb.     VCNebraska's Class of 2028 excellence is not limited to the 16s age group. Zajicek highlights a stacked group of sophomores who helped VCN 17 Elite clinch an early GJNC berth in Minneapolis. Any first-ball situation for 17 Elite was a chance for Zajicek to tee off against unprepared defenders. Her jaw-dropping line shots have become a focal point of the team's offense. Zajicek doesn't need a big window at the antenna to get the job done, either. Over-the-top scoring is commonplace for this elite opposite.     We're fresh off one of Frink's best-ever weekends of offensive output. She was a cornerstone of Premier Nebraska 16 Black's frontcourt at the Mideast Qualifier, helping the team slug through a tough 16 USA division. Frink's confident, assertive swings set the tone in Indianapolis. She didn't need a perfect set to dish out undiggable heat between opposing blockers. Frink has also put in tireless effort to become a true pass-to-attack hitter on the left side, giving 16 Black plenty of serve-receive options in her frontcourt rotations.     Lamotte-Protic adds to a long list of Nebraska Elite 2028s who have demonstrated exceptional development over the past several months. This versatile pin hitter was an early addition to our recruiting radar after making big gains on the Prep Dig Circuit. That ascent has continued on the club side, where Lamotte-Protic has stepped up for Nebraska Elite's top 16s roster. She was particularly terminal at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic and delivered consistent cross-court heat in Omaha. Expect more of the same as her 16 Alpha squad pivots to KC's Show Me Qualifier.     We might as well visit with one of Lamotte-Protic's co-conspirators on the left side. Demulling's rankings rise is about more than her ability to put balls away on the outside. She has also embraced an expanded ball control role with 16 Alpha while facing a gauntlet of tough serves on the qualifier tour. Nebraska Elite's offense often finds its groove after Demulling takes the first contact. The Omaha Marian sophomore can also dig heat in the middle-back area and cover any open seams in the block. She's already done it all, and 2026 is just getting started.     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Titanium has had multiple forays at the Open level, allowing us to see how the team stacks up against elite competition. McCarty has elevated her game throughout this midseason gauntlet while exhibiting almost every skill imaginable on the left side. The Lincoln Southwest sophomore is a major contributor to 16 Titanium's pinpoint passing, leading to in-system opportunities for the entire team. Of course, McCarty is also keen to capitalize on her own attacking chances at the net. Her rankings breakthrough was inevitable.     We've already watched a wealth of stock-riser candidates in the Club Legacy gym. Holder has been on our radar for a while after putting down nearly 200 kills on the Class B stage with Elkhorn last fall. Aside from Holder's ability to generate first-ball kills and out-of-system breakthroughs, she has also upgraded her ball control to become a six-rotation asset. Club Legacy 16 Alpha has taken full advantage of this versatility. A championship run at the Northern Lights Qualifier provided another stark reminder of Holder's development alongside her stacked crew of 16 Alpha standouts.

This is a big one.