Tall Talents Gaining Ground in Nebraska 2027 Rankings

Yesterday's feature was all about the “littles,” but we also need to establish some physicality at the net.   You can find players that fill any niche in our Nebraska 2027 rankings. We have lockdown defenders, skilled setters, and crafty pin hitters who can find various ways to score at the net. However, prep volleyball athletes can also boast tangible qualities that can't be taught.   Some players can draw immediate attention through their imposing length in the frontcourt. And, of course, Nebraska has plenty of athletes who fit this bill. However, these 2027s also have the on-court prowess to back up that unteachable stature.    Gregg's growing influence in the Premier Nebraska gym was a big storyline during our in-season coverage of the 17 Gold squad. The Elkhorn South senior has brought her best on some of the biggest stages, and she added another chapter to that narrative through USAV Nationals. She flexed between middle and opposite in Indianapolis, showcasing Gregg's willingness to provide physicality at any spot along the net. That adaptability helped Gregg hit nearly 0.300 with Elkhorn South as a junior, and she's due for further strides in Year 4 on the Class A scene.     Nebraska ONE 17 Black remains an ever-present trendsetter on these Class of 2027 features. The team's tremendous triumphs on the 17 USA circuit have brought names like Williams further up the rankings ladder. Frankly, Williams had done enough to boost her stock after helping Lincoln Southeast return to the Class A tournament last fall. But this hard-hitting opposite went a step further with her tireless work at the net with Nebraska ONE, which yielded another postseason journey. Williams is growing increasingly comfortable in high-pressure situations.     Hatz has been climbing the 2027 hierarchy since the early days of this year's club campaign. She was a persistent force at our Prep Dig Iowa Clash this February, producing clutch swings at Nebraska Elite 17-1's opposite position. This Omaha Marian terminator also has the length needed to lock down the middle, but her work behind the setter has taken precedence in 2026. Hatz's rise was even more apparent as Nebraska Elite climbed to the AAU title, solidifying her status as a stock-riser for this feature.     We might as well go further into Nebraska Elite's extraordinary 2027 depth. Hilderbrand was the leading left-side hitter for Nebraska Elite 17 Surge, one of the club's winningest lineups this spring. As we watched 17 Surge earn a top-five finish at SLC and a Gold appearance at AAU Nationals, Hilderbrand consistently asserted herself in every rotation. If she wasn't lighting it up in the front row, Hilderbrand was probably busy churning out precise first contacts in the middle-back area. Orlando was another testament to that influence.     Kollars' inclusion in the 2027 stock-riser crew is overdue. She has been an unsung hero for Club Legacy 17 Alpha, especially with the lineup featuring so many effective attackers. Kollars had several breakout moments in Year 3 with Omaha Skutt Catholic, but she took another massive leap forward with 17 Alpha. She teed off in front of the setter and wielded the explosive two-footed takeoff that has made her a can't-miss middle blocker. Kollars' ascent persisted through the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament, which eventually secured 17 Alpha's spot in the GJNC field.     We've spent a lot of time covering the late-season rise of Nebraska Juniors 17 Black, but don't overlook the talent lurking on the club's 17 Red lineup. Bartek was the focal point of 17 Red's operation no matter which role--or roles--she carried in the lineup. She is a smooth, savvy setter with the wicked arm needed to anchor the right-side hitter spot, too. Bartek's reps as a setter-opposite make her a compelling prospect at the next level, as she will never leave a length deficit at the tape. She proved that again with Nebraska Juniors.     Let's reunite with the Kearney crew. Scheribel returned with a vengeance in 2026 after taking the Great Plains Region by storm with her Kearney Elite "all-star" group the year before. This imposing middle blocker transitions well off the net and has plenty of range to occupy either middle blocker position. April's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament offered yet another look at Scheribel's knack for collecting positive touches to set up the 17 Black offense. The Bearcats will leverage all of these assets for one more fall season.

Yesterday's feature was all about the “littles,” but we also need to establish some physicality at the net.