Top-Ranked Nebraska 2027s Poised for Big Senior Finale

The swan song seasons start soon.   We're not ready to bid farewell to the Class of 2027 just yet. Our latest Nebraska 2027 rankings update demonstrates that we still have more storylines and changes to discuss regarding this group of rising seniors. Those narratives will add a dramatic conclusion this fall, when the state's top seniors will spar for one final championship push on the prep stage. We can't wait to watch it unfold.   Consider this a "hybrid" feature between our rankings coverage and preseason previews. As we peer ahead at the upcoming high school campaign, these highly ranked 2027s are coming into focus.    Moone has made an indelible multi-sport mark with Papillion-La Vista South. Her natural athleticism is a perfect fit for track and field ventures, where Moone has racked up enviable accolades. This rising senior's most recent stint on the volleyball court came with Banzai VBC's top 18s squad. Moone's explosiveness and power on the left side make her a perfect candidate to move up the age ladder. We have fond memories of Moone's early appearances on the Prep Dig Circuit. Her rise has continued while piling up a couple of state volleyball titles along the way.     It's hard to imagine any athlete topping the kind of junior year that Volkmer had, but she looks poised to do it anyway. In short, she led Lincoln North Star to its best volleyball season in school history. Her 400 kills and vast backcourt contributions guided the Navigators to Class A's No. 1 tournament seed and a trip to the state championship match. Volkmer is among the most electric outside hitters in Nebraska's 2027 class, but she showed a different side to her game this spring with Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy. She frequently donned the libero jersey and used her ball control to get Nebraska ONE over the hump and into Open contention. A trip to the GJNC podium has bolstered Volkmer's status as a do-everything star.     Last year's tournament breakthrough was a long time coming for Snyder and Omaha Concordia. We had already enjoyed so many highlight moments from the Mustangs' star outside hitter, who burst onto the scene with nearly 250 kills as a freshman. She has since eclipsed 1,000 career kills while upping her attacking efficiency at every step. Snyder doesn't solely distinguish herself through frontcourt excellence. Her middle-back stability for Club Legacy 17 Alpha was a major catalyst for the team's climb to GJNC, and we'll see it play out again this fall.     Rinne has been winning a lot lately. She won a state title with Freeman High School, clinched a GJNC berth with Nebraska ONE 17 Black, and committed to play for Iowa Western Community College at the next level. It's been quite a run for this hard-hitting middle blocker, and we'll likely see her in the postseason running again this fall. She'll have a tall task to back up the three kills per set she racked up as a junior, but Rinne's positional range will make her a leader among Freeman's many talented upperclassmen.     We remain fascinated by Lincoln Standing Bear's continued progression as a new addition to the Star City scene. Engelbart is ready to take the Grizzlies to the next level. She dominated on the left antenna for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black, helping the team compile its laundry list of podium appearances. Engelbart's sharp, whippy swing can drive into the crosscourt or cut down the line. She will not be deterred by passing volume in the frontcourt, either. Senior leaders like Engelbart can set a new standard for Standing Bear.     This is a good time to check in on Bahle, who has seen no shortage of high-pressure volleyball over the past several months. She had an extraordinary "coming of age" season with Omaha Westside last fall, commanding the libero jersey during the Warriors' late-season charge. That tournament experience was just a small preview of things to come with Nebraska Elite's top 17s crew. Elite's 17 Club championship triumph at AAU Nationals would not have been possible without Bahle's demonstrative leadership in the back row. She brings so many tangible skills to the fold, but Bahle has also developed the vocal guidance and uplifting spirit to back it up. This libero is as ready as anyone to tackle one more Class A gauntlet.     We're ready to tap into the small-town scene for our final two entries. Onlookers at last year's state tournament likely remember watching Rasmussen light up the scoreboard for Laurel-Concord-Coleridge. We had been anticipating LCC's postseason breakthrough for a few years, and Rasmussen made the most of last season's long-awaited breakthrough. She went over, around, and through opposing blockers en route to 29 kills in a quarterfinal win over Norfolk Catholic. Another five kills per set against Oakland-Craig launched Rasmussen and the Bears into the C2 title bout. It's hard to leave out one of Nebraska's top prep scorers from the 2027 class.     Sanborn commands a ton of attention from opposing defenses, but few have solved the puzzle of slowing her down. The Nebraska Christian junior is a sure bet to score on quick sets in front of the setter, but the Eagles are keen on using their star in other ways, too. Sanborn took plenty of swings on the left pin and could soar over hands with ruthless pace. The result was 250 kills on a near-.300 hitting clip, and Sanborn's influence should grow as Nebraska Christian pursues a postseason return.

The swan song seasons start soon.