Road to June 15th: Nebraska 2028s Playing Up at Elite Level

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't overlook the 17s scene when scouting Nebraska's top 2028s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, there's a lot of debate on whether "playing up" is the right choice for a prep player's development. We don't intend to get deeply embedded in that argument, but there's no denying that ascending the age ladder can lead to some stark impressions. Thriving against older peers is quite an accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And Nebraska's best 2028s have accomplished a lot. The Great Plains Region has piled up GJNC berths at the 17s level, and "overachieving" 2028s have played a major role in those triumphs. The 16s will garner a lot of attention from college recruiters this summer, but the fun doesn't stop there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes on the 17s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555495"],"_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-6a05a5c2265bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had to include our No. 1, right? Rautenberg's list of accolades and honors spans well beyond her work with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy. This jaw-dropping middle blocker is a state champion with Milford and a fixture in the USA youth training gym. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s big NEQ breakthrough wouldn't have been possible without Rautenberg, who proved her willingness to terminate from anywhere along the net. She will be one of the top athletes to watch in GJNC's 17 Open race, making it easy to forget Rautenberg is repping the 2028s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737370"],"_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-6a05a5c2265f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're loading up on 2028s with Team USA experience. Bridges has joined Rautenberg in the NTDP pipeline and has set the standard for Nebraska's stacked libero class. We knew Bridges's VCNebraska 17 Elite crew would be an exceptional competitor at the Open level, but we didn't necessarily bargain for <em>quadruple</em> GJNC qualification. That kind of sustained dominance requires a ton of backcourt stability, and Bridges has always been there to provide it. The Ashland-Greenwood prep star has squared up against the nation's best attackers while helping 17 Elite become a national title contender. There's nothing better than that.</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-6a05f1c9cdf59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're doubling down on VCNebraska 17 Elite. How could we not? Zajicek's meteoric rise has been one of the biggest club storylines among Nebraska's stock-rising 2028s. She has taken over one of 17 Elite's opposite spots while providing tremendous firepower and range. Zajicek's trademark line shot has shredded opposing defenses, but the Omaha Skutt Catholic standout can also mix it up and detonate into the crosscourt. Outstanding wing blocking rounds out Zajicek's complete game and has propelled her up our rankings leaderboard.</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-6a05f1c9cdfb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Webster has represented a few different teams in the Premier Nebraska fold, but her role with this year's 17 Black lineup has brought out some of her best highlights. Webster's burst and quickness off the floor make her a matchup nightmare in front of the setter, particularly in one-on-one situations. The Gretna middle blocker did not wait to make a prep impact with the Dragons, and Webster continues to punch above her class in club venues. Her efficiency could launch 17 Black into a deep run through the USAV Nationals field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774904"],"_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-6a05f1c9ce006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solomon has been doing this for a while. We got an early introduction to this elite 2028 prospect when she showed up to the 15s scene while playing a year up. Nothing has changed two years later — except that Solomon's influence has grown in the Premier Nebraska gym. She has ascended to the club's 17 Gold squad while maintaining the same setter-opposite role we've come to expect from the Papio South state champion. Solomon can be an unstoppable hitter and a savvy distributor in the same match, elevating her recruiting stock heading into the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759472"],"_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-6a05f1c9ce054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams has excelled with a Kearney Elite 17 Black lineup that hasn't been afraid to lean on 2028s. This multi-talented pin hitter has distinguished herself as an extraordinary left-side hitter, but Williams has also expanded her range this spring. The Great Plains Region Bid Tournament showcased the sophomore's prowess on the right antenna while shouldering a role in the passing pattern. Even if Williams is not dominating the scoring column, her ball control and first touches can take the lead. It's a perfect storm for next-level impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774672"],"_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-6a05f1c9ce09c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kava embodies the versatility and physicality that have fueled some of River City Jrs's most successful teams. We've seen this multi-sport athlete patrol the middle for 17 Navy, but Kava has also branched out to become a go-to pin terminator. This move is a testament to Kava's sky-high contact point, no matter what tempo or location she's given. 17 Navy has found the right combinations en route to some impressive results on the regional and JVA circuit. Kava's development has accelerated the whole way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->