Veteran “Littles” Looming Large in Nebraska 2027 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had to include a libero feature here, right?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams can benefit from having a steely veteran at any position. As we cover the upcoming high school season, we'll be particularly fixated on the star seniors who know how to will their team to victory on the big stages. Most people expect that high-flying terminators to fill this role, but what about the seniors anchoring the end line?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can find a laundry list of highlight-worthy liberos in our Nebraska 2027 rankings. These defenders have often turned the tide toward tournament triumphs, and now they're prepping for their final campaign on Nebraska's high school stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These "littles" are about as big as it gets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458130"],"_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-6a6e3526eba0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What's next for Schuerman? This Wilber-Clatonia standout has been known for her do-everything mentality for the past few years. She has been a prep attacker, setter, and lockdown defender in just about any venue imaginable. However, her niche as a backcourt star was firmly in the forefront during Schuerman's 2026 season with VCNebraska 17 Black. She soared in the contrasting jersey while proving she can pass large segments of the court in high-pressure moments. This was especially apparent at the Show Me Qualifier, and Schuerman's rise continued into USAV Nationals. But keep that positional versatility in mind for her final high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521295"],"_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-6a6e3f082538b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meet one of our fastest-rising liberos on the 2027 list. Ward, who has pledged to anchor the back row at Navy, helped her Nebraska Juniors 17 Black crew soar to the top of the Great Plains hierarchy in the age group. The Lincoln East senior's steady platform kept 17 Black afloat at the Lone Star Classic, a notoriously difficult venue for visiting competitors. That bid-earning triumph propelled Ward into the spotlight once more during a runner-up charge at USAV Nationals. She may not be available on the recruiting board anymore, but this feature wouldn't be complete without Ward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730526"],"_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-6a6e3f082540a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is a good candidate to usher in a new era at Omaha Westview. We've talked a lot about the underclassmen poised to make a splash with the Wolverines, but Myers looks ready to provide invaluable veteran leadership in the back row. Her Nebraska Elite 17 Surge squad has brought plenty of stock risers to our 2027 discussion, and we can't leave this backcourt gem out of the mix. Myers covered ground in any zone for 17 Surge, from the USAV qualifier circuit to the team's deep run at AAU Nationals. All signs are pointing to her best prep output yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773350"],"_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-6a6e3f0825478"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cochran may enjoy the benefit of year-round cohesion, with several of her Kearney High School teammates joining her for club competition at Kearney Elite. However, this is the kind of libero whose skills translate to any environment. Cochran has a quiet, stable platform that is ready-made for the Zone 6 coverage in serve-receive. Furthermore, her smooth hands as a secondary setter guided 17 Black through some scramble situations this season. The Bearcats are bringing quite a 2027 cast to the Class A fold this fall, and Cochran will surely be one to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505788"],"_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-6a6e3f08254e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Consider this a wildcard pick for this feature. Premier Nebraska 17 Black experimented with a lot of lineups in 2026, both by choice and necessity. Cahow's late-season emergence under these circumstances revealed her growth as an all-around ball control contributor. Her primary role is at setter, where Cahow has been a multi-year standout in the Premier Nebraska gym. She distributed well out of the back row during 17 Black's trip to USAV Nationals, but that's not all we've seen from Cahow. She has also carried defensive responsibilities with Elkhorn South, exhibiting her willingness to do anything for team success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486890"],"_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-6a6e3f0825545"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 brought a change of venue for Fogelstrom, who played up a year as a backcourt leader for Banzai VBC's top 18s group. Competing against college-ready athletes has perpetuated the rise of this Bennington senior. Fogelstrom has landed on our radar through her past work as an outside hitter, demonstrating the six-rotation prowess needed to play around the dial. However, her first contacts have been particularly dialed in lately, leading to another successful outing at last month's Nebraska Stock Up Showcase. Fogelstrom has seen it all throughout her prep career, and she'll now take part in Bennington's move up to the Class A ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->