Surprise Stars from Nebraska's 2026 State Champions

<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/PD_ExposureTour.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1022894" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   Nebraska Exposure Tour   Nov. 29, 2026 -- 12:00 PM   UBT Sports Complex   <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2495/register/exposure-tour-nebraska#register" data-type="link" data-id="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2495/register/exposure-tour-nebraska#register">REGISTER HERE</a>   -- USE CODE 'Austin26PD25OFF' FOR 25% OFF ALL SHOWCASE REGISTRATION FEES --   What a time for a breakout performance.   We've just crowned six more state champions to conclude Nebraska's 2026 high school season. For all the times we've referred to the fall campaign as a "sprint," this is where it really sinks in. These last several weeks have gone by in a blink, and we still have so many storylines and standouts to cover.   Luckily, we have time. We'll be looking ahead to rankings updates, our winter showcase, and the upcoming club season. Before then, we have to digest the flurry of drama and discoveries from the prep side. That includes the postseason, where our campout at Pinnacle Bank Arena transformed our perspective.   That leads to surprises--even among Nebraska's state title winners.    We had to give a nod to this outgoing senior. Hagan was no stranger to the tournament stage, and her upperclassman years couldn't have been much better. She finished her career with back-to-back titles with Amherst, guiding one of Nebraska's best small-town programs. However, Hagan's growth as a senior is perhaps most notable. She embraced the chance to play around the dial and became an integral part of the Broncos' physical frontcourt. This wasn't the same Amherst team that won the 2025 title, but Hagan helped maintain that championship form.     Welcome to the 2029 spotlight. We knew this high school season would add new sophomores to our coverage radar, and Gracey made the most of her time under the postseason microscope. The sophomore registered ten kills on a 0.350 clip in Mullen's dominant championship victory over Wynot. Gracey captured our attention through her quick transition footwork and ability to snap on tempo balls to the outside. Breakout performances are often needed to win your first volleyball title in school history. Gracey delivered.     Perhaps it was easier for Grossart to have the element of surprise. This was her first season on Nebraska's prep circuit, but she also wasn't daunted by postseason pressure. She delivered some clutch swings on the pin during Milford's title ascent and generated positive block touches against Class C1's ultra-physical offenses. The semifinal win over top-seeded Concordia may have been Grossart's best work, as she persevered through a chaotic firing line of outside attacks. That's valuable experience to apply to a three-peat bid.     Granted, this Guardian Angels Central Catholic lineup had few real "surprises." The Jays brought back a veteran group with plenty of tournament experience, and that translated to a title-winning breakthrough in Class C2. Still, we're taken aback by Wegner's backcourt influence among her older peers. This sophomore libero made a habit of putting up monster numbers this year, and that trend didn't stop in last week's tournament. Wegner had an astonishing 34-dig performance in the semifinal win over top-seeded Thayer Central, adding to the 500-plus digs she racked up during the regular season. GACC had plenty of quick arms in the front row, but Wegner played an indispensable role in setting them up.     Matras' immediate impact off the bench was undeniable. She had 17 digs in the big-time title bout with Elkhorn North, but her influence went beyond the stat sheet. Matras has adapted to various DS roles throughout the season and has not been shy about commanding any zone along the end line. Her passing helped tee up a balanced scoring effort for the Titans, and the dynasty continued with yet another title triumph.     Why not double down on the Papio South freshmen? We're not used to seeing so much first-year impact in the ball control phase, particularly in a vaunted powerhouse program. However, Eymann dished out a stellar offense from the back row and helped unlock Papio South's deep bench of frontcourt terminators. We also saw the kind of back-row defense that reminded us of past standouts in the Eymann lineage. That's a good way to keep a powerhouse rolling.     Waverly finally got it done. The Vikings had been knocking on the door of a Class B title appearance for a while, and Jackson had been part of this year-to-year grind. But this outgoing senior brought a different level of intensity and production during Waverly's long-awaited triumph. Her opening-round output against Lincoln Pius X was particularly notable, tabbing a 0.353 hitting clip and a team-leading five blocks. Jackson is forever part of a senior class that has changed the trajectory of the Waverly program.

Nebraska Exposure Tour

Nov. 29, 2026 -- 12:00 PM

UBT Sports Complex

REGISTER HERE

-- USE CODE 'Austin26PD25OFF' FOR 25% OFF ALL SHOWCASE REGISTRATION FEES --

What a time for a breakout performance.

We've just crowned six more state champions to conclude Nebraska's 2026 high school season. For all the times we've referred to the fall campaign as a "sprint," this is where it really sinks in. These last several weeks have gone by in a blink, and we still have so many storylines and standouts to cover.

Luckily, we have time. We'll be looking ahead to rankings updates, our winter showcase, and the upcoming club season. Before then, we have to digest the flurry of drama and discoveries from the prep side. That includes the postseason, where our campout at Pinnacle Bank Arena transformed our perspective.

That leads to surprises--even among Nebraska's state title winners.