Nebraska’s Small-Town Attackers Making Huge Fall Gains (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had to stay on this small-town swing a little longer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/nebraskas-small-town-attackers-making-huge-fall-gains-pt-1/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/nebraskas-small-town-attackers-making-huge-fall-gains-pt-1/">Part 1</a> of this feature series brought our rural focus back into the coverage spotlight. The high school season provides the best opportunity to catch up with Nebraska's hidden gems, from the Missouri River to the panhandle. The Cornhusker State will never lose its rural roots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And we'll never pass up the opportunity to cover more of these athletes. Bring on Part 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["812669"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c642f76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kearney Catholic has reclaimed its frontrunner status. Should we be surprised? Seim and the Stars have vaulted into the Class C1 discussion behind some ultra-efficient offense and outstanding balance. Even with this multi-faceted attack, it's hard not to lean on Seim when circumstances allow. This long, physical middle blocker is hitting at a tremendous 0.408 clip this year, all while exceeding her kill volume from a year ago. Seim's constant pursuit of improvement will serve her well at Hastings College, where she plans to continue her dual role in volleyball and basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499013"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c642fea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maywood/Hayes Center has racked up some tournament appearances during this decade, and Softley can bring the Wolves back to Lincoln once more. The veteran terminator has been an ever-present part of the May-Hay lineup since she arrived as a freshman in 2023. However, her swan song season could bring her best output yet. She boasts a whopping 5.5 kills per set during early-season action, highlighted by a 26-kill effort against Maxwell. Softley drives hard in transition and can work off high hands on either side of the setter. And, like many athletes on this feature, Softley's multi-sport influence has expanded enormously.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1016439"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c64303a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCully's prep career was already on an upward trajectory after her Mullen squad reached last year's Class D2 quarterfinals. However, this terminal attacker has taken the next step in her development en route to nearly three kills per set to kick off 2026. McCully is on pace to soar past her sophomore totals and has proven her willingness to score in various ways. Expect this high-flying middle blocker to score in front of the setter, on the slide, and everywhere in between.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["519640"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c643084"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As promised, we have another one from the Platteview crew. Carlson made a big spring impression through her work with Nebraska Elite, and that momentum has persisted with this fall's Trojan group. She leads Platteview with three kills per set and has also chipped in with some exceptional defensive work in the middle-back area. We've also enjoyed watching Carlson's growth as a backcourt attacker, providing aggressive out-of-system swings on the pipe. Her full array of contributions has helped Platteview climb the Class B ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932973"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c6430ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gering High School has a lot to like with its Class of 2029, especially after last year's freshman crew lifted the Bulldogs to a spot in the Class B tournament. Rotherham was a key piece of the lineup with over 150 kills last fall, but she's looking to eclipse those numbers before we even reach the postseason. She has upped her 2025 averages by nearly a kill per set and is bringing a 0.300-plus hitting clip to the mix, too. Rotherham's whippy southpaw swing is ready-made for the opposite position, and her inside approaches give blockers plenty to think about. It's a lethal combination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884255"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c64310c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's a familiar name from our event circuit. Wehrle brought her well-rounded game to one of last year's Prep Dig showcases, and her skills have translated into exceptional prep success with Battle Creek. She has amassed 2.5 kills per set and remains the unflappable defensive force we watched at our showcase. Wehrle has dig numbers that rival many liberos in the Class of 2029, and her highlight film is loaded with sprawling plays in the left-back area. It's an unusual spot for pin hitters to roam, but Wehrle does it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961062"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab1b9c64314f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">High-scoring pin hitters have been a major catalyst for EMF's quick rise in the rural ranks. Johnson could be the next in line based on early 2026 returns. She has only needed about 30 sets to match her kill total from last year, a season that ended with the Bobcats back on the Class D1 podium. Johnson has a confident, compact approach that has opened up so many scoring opportunities on the left pin. EMF has found its new outlet for quick sideouts, and it's coming from the underclassman stable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->