Which 2028s Surprised Us at Nebraska’s State Tournament?

<!-- wp:image {"id":1022894,"width":"335px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nebraska Exposure Tour</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-small-font-size">Nov. 29, 2026 -- 12:00 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-small-font-size">UBT Sports Complex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}},"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}},"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size"><strong><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></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><em>-- USE CODE '<strong>Austin26PD25OFF</strong>' FOR 25% OFF ALL SHOWCASE REGISTRATION FEES --</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More surprises!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're always eager to learn a few things when we camp out at the annual NSAA State Volleyball Championships. Our most recent feature covered a handful of breakout stars among Nebraska's six title-winning teams, but this list of surprises extends far beyond these squads. This postseason discussion could persist for a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's spotlight belongs to the Class of 2028. Juniors tend to have a major say in which teams climb the podium in November, but we're always treated to some stellar upperclassman performances we didn't expect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any position is fair game for this one, and we have a lot of ground to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774919"],"_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-6af0d7bcb502a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year's state semifinal appearance for Lincoln North Star is perhaps even more remarkable than last year's runner-up season. The Navigators faced some injury strife and lineup shuffles this year, but Paneitz was part of a steady veteran anchor that performed best at the end of the season. The junior libero piled up 28 digs as North Star evened the score on LSW after a HAC Tournament heartbreaker. Then, Paneitz's lockdown defense pushed Papio South to the brink in a wild Friday night contest. We knew Paneitz was among Class A's best in the back row, but her squad went above and beyond in this year's postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["702898"],"_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-6af0d7bcb5096"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Luebbe's termination took Aurora from a C1 Cinderella to a legit championship contender. Perhaps we should have foreseen this [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] standout performing at her best in Lincoln. However, the extent to which Luebbe willed Aurora's offense to the title match was a revelation. She led the charge with a dozen kills in the quarterfinal win over Pierce and dropped 20 in the semifinal thriller against Bishop Neumann. That's some exceptional momentum for the upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1062426"],"_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-6af0d7bcb50e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thayer Central has a knack for moving its hitters around and putting them in positions to succeed. Brueggemann thrives in this environment, and she was particularly effective under the bright lights of PBA. She was the Titans' second-leading scorer in a quarterfinal win over Yutan, but her offensive prowess wasn't the only thing that stood out. Brueggemann was also a stout one-on-one blocker who could instantly align with her opposing attacker. She now joins a stacked group of 2028s looking to deliver more tournament success for the Titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1016696"],"_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-6af2190edac9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Central's tough, scrappy identity was on full display in its first-ever state volleyball appearance. The Knights' reverse sweep over Cambridge was a highlight of the quarterfinal round, and Hoffman was all over this improbable triumph. Her frontcourt termination played a major role in this historic season. However, we can't leave out her impenetrable defense in the left-back area. Hoffman is incredibly adept at reading tip shots down the line and will readily cover her hitters on the left antenna. That led to some of North Central's best dig totals in Lincoln, putting Hoffman on our radar before her senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774646"],"_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-6af2190edacd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's no secret that Gretna has a wealth of talent in the Class of 2028. This year's semifinal effort was spearheaded by juniors, but Mueller might be an unsung hero among this group. She paced the blocking category in both of Gretna's tournament contests, recording two blocks per set against eventual champion Waverly. Mueller has a high-energy style that's ready-made for success in the middle, especially while sparring against the quickest offenses in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570432"],"_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-6af2190edad1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bancroft-Rosalie was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the postseason, scoring an emphatic quarterfinal sweep over No. 3 Hay Springs. Kai engineered this effort through a smooth, precise offense that opened up exceptional scoring opportunities for her hitters. She exceeded ten assists per set in that quarterfinal upset and found tremendous balance between her top three terminators. Kai could also keep the Panthers in marathon rallies with her quick reads in Zone 1. This historic trip to Lincoln demonstrates the value of a setter who can tie everything together, even when under pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["593775"],"_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-6af2190edad44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Are we allowed to be surprised by our fifth-ranked overall athlete in Nebraska's 2028 class? It seems preposterous, but scoring an upset against the two-time defending Class B champions allows us to stretch the rules a little. Janulewicz was spectacular in the straight-set semifinal win over Norris, compiling 14 kills on a 0.355 clip. Every time the Titans mounted a charge, Janulewicz's intensity and effort would keep GI Northwest on track. This looks like an athlete poised for great club accomplishments in 2027, but that would add to an already large list of accolades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->