Which New Nebraska Teams Could Break into 2026 Tournament?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We aren't exclusively looking at the ever-present powerhouses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our recent preseason coverage has paid particularly close attention to <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/emerging-nebraska-2028s-to-watch-for-defending-state-champs/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/emerging-nebraska-2028s-to-watch-for-defending-state-champs/">Nebraska's defending champions</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/ten-2025-tourney-stars-to-watch-in-nebraskas-fall-season/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/ten-2025-tourney-stars-to-watch-in-nebraskas-fall-season/">other players looking for repeat postseason berths</a>. However, we always have to highlight the parity and year-to-year growth that make Nebraska's high school season so compelling to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on some new contenders. We're looking for teams from outside of last year's tournament field that could return to Lincoln's November festivities in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard West</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are reloading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, this may be an "easier" pick given Millard West's recent history of postseason success. This green-clad group may not have been in last year's tournament race, but the roster lines up to make amends in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's all about returning stars and high-impact additions. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='458126' first='Ava' last='Waters'] has a wealth of high-level experience at high school and club venues, and the future South Dakota Coyote is primed to bring her best in Year 4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waters is backed up with more D1-bound talent at libero, with [player_tooltip player_id='737370' first='Averi' last='Bridges'] joining the crew after two years at Ashland-Greenwood. The Penn State pledge has cemented her status as one of Nebraska's best in the junior class--at any position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for [player_tooltip player_id='828287' first='Lauren' last='Eck'], [player_tooltip player_id='773875' first='Teagan' last='Nielsen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='961100' first='Ellie' last='Dahlhauser'] to break out in the front row. It's all in place for the Wildcats to reclaim their rightful spot in the Class A race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1022457,"width":"366px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4998307952622674","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/IMG_5933-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1022457" style="aspect-ratio:1.4998307952622674;width:366px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cada</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Grand Island Northwest</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okay, we have another decorated dynasty for this feature. GI Northwest is obviously no stranger to the postseason stage, but the Vikings might have a little extra motivation after missing out on the last few Lincoln brackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest's roster has some serious [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] influence. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='773374' first='Nasya' last='Anderson'] just announced her commitment to Concordia University after racking up frontcourt highlights with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black. As we move to the 2028s, we find [player_tooltip player_id='593775' first='Ava' last='Janulewicz'] and her ultra-productive output on the outside. The [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite attacker climbed to Open-level prominence with her club team and set a high bar with over 400 kills as a GINW sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And it doesn't stop there. [player_tooltip player_id='879940' first='Elli' last='Payne'] remains a serious trendsetter for the 2029s, as shown in our first set of rankings for this group. Her growth potential with the Vikings is massive, especially with senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='521273' first='Makenna' last='Bowman'] tying everything together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Gretna East</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dig deeper into the Class B cast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gretna East is still a new contender on Nebraska's prep scene, and the Griffins rolled out a youthful lineup for last year's Class B grind. That's usually a prelude to year-over-year progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":915065,"width":"232px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8818613056245764","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/17-Brooklyn-Beethe.jpg?w=903" alt="" class="wp-image-915065" style="aspect-ratio:0.8818613056245764;width:232px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beethe</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of Nebraska's most successful lineups, Gretna East has plenty of ball-control prowess to wield. Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi commit [player_tooltip player_id='572680' first='Brooklyn' last='Beethe'] will retain her leadership role in the back row after a head-turning club campaign with Premier Nebraska 16 Black. The Premier Nebraska influence escalates with [player_tooltip player_id='846878' first='Maci' last='Falcone'] bringing guidance around the dial at the setter spot. [player_tooltip player_id='932953' first='Elayne' last='Graver'], [player_tooltip player_id='828170' first='Avery' last='Kelsay'], and [player_tooltip player_id='774644' first='Grace' last='Scheef'] add to the club's cohesion after making up the top three attackers on last year's Griffin squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assemble the crew once more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bishop Neumann</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Neumann was narrowly ousted in a five-set district final last fall, so the Cavs are a natural choice for this feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But this near-miss is only part of the story. The Wahoo crew will welcome a host of familiar faces that can take Bishop Neumann one step further in 2026. The pin-hitting duo of [player_tooltip player_id='568816' first='Kyler' last='Cada'] and [player_tooltip player_id='830557' first='Brooke' last='Thiele'] is ready to tally more monster numbers after combining for eight and a half kills per set last fall. That's an upperclassman tandem to lean on, but rising sophomores like [player_tooltip player_id='932992' first='Ila' last='Bolden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933027' first='Madison' last='Wiese'] will spearhead the ball control unit. Both of these 2029 stars ended their club campaigns with postseason berths. Time to do it again!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Christian</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not far removed from Nebraska Christian's multi-year tournament presence to begin the 2020s. Perhaps a new streak is about to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eagle optimism stems from the return of [player_tooltip player_id='571950' first='Adeline' last='Hunnicutt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809695' first='Kadeya' last='Sanborn'], a tremendously efficient setter-hitter duo in the upperclassman ranks. Sanborn climbed Nebraska's charts with a 0.274 hitting clip, and Hunnicutt helped her out with nine assists per set as the go-to setter. We can also expect [player_tooltip player_id='1018735' first='Kinley' last='Macken'] to carry an escalating attacking role around the starting rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the next wave of Nebraska Christian standouts, we'll have to wait and see. Discoveries will be made.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Maywood-Hayes Center</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's another small-town staple. We've had a lot of these rural powerhouses to discuss for today's feature, and Maywood-Hayes Center rounds us out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Bishop Neumann, the Wolves came within one contest of a 2025 tournament berth. That should provide a jolt of focus for this year's stars. It's a group led by senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='499013' first='Caylie' last='Softley'], who averaged nearly four kills per set on a 0.280 attacking efficiency. We're also looking forward to [player_tooltip player_id='961164' first='Lanie' last='Soundy'] and Ensley Lawless strengthening their starting foothold from the sophomore class. Defense and ball control should chart the path for Maywood-Hayes Center, but that's nothing new.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->