Seven Surging Sophomores to Watch this Fall

<p>We’re continuing with our broad, player-based look at the upcoming high school season in Nebraska. Get excited!</p> <p>After talking about some seniors and giving a couple of shoutouts to rising juniors, it’s time to give the 2024s their due. Many of these sophomores already put their stamp on the Nebraska prep scene in their first year as high schoolers. Even with an experience deficit, the 2024s in this state have already proven they can hang with the older crowd.</p> <p>Let’s get a quick glimpse at this youth movement and shine a spotlight on some athletes you need to follow from the Class of 2024.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104975" first="Nora" last="Wurtz"] - 6’4 MB/RS - Douglas County West</strong></p> <p>Wurtz is fresh off some incredibly valuable experience with the USA Volleyball training program. That experience will likely translate to further improvement in Wurtz’s game as she leads the DC West attack this fall. This versatile attacker already made huge strides in the club season with Nebraska Elite, so she clearly has an opportunity to raise her stock in the coming months.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104996" first="Lauren" last="Jones"] - 5’9 OH - Millard West</strong></p> <p>Millard West brings a deep roster into the 2021 season, but that shouldn’t stop Jones from finding an important role on this team. She was impressive when she found the court during her freshman year, and her game went to another level during a successful club campaign with Premier. Depth along the net will not be a problem for the Wildcats.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109596" first="Avery" last="Franzen"] - 5’10 MB - Kearney</strong></p> <p>I think Kearney has been an underrated team for a while now, and Franzen is a player who could help the Bearcats topple some of the state’s top teams. She put up 145 kills in her debut season and will likely add plenty more to that total by the end of the year. Franzen is a worthy attacker in front of the setter and should be a crucial piece of Kearney’s well-rounded attack.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id="82580" first="Lucy" last="Bartee"] is super smooth for <a href="https://x.com/khsvolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@khsvolleyball</a>. Here she is setting freshman [player_tooltip player_id="109596" first="Avery" last="Franzen"]. <a href="https://t.co/lDqqFEQm3F">pic.x.com/lDqqFEQm3F</a></p> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1309600836692181004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109601" first="Aaliyah" last="Bradford"] - 5’4 S - Lincoln East</strong></p> <p>Lincoln East’s 2020 season was heavily affected by COVID-19, and that never really allowed the Spartans to get in a rhythm. Even so, Bradford got enough time on the court to show that she’s a fiery competitor. She’s a natural setter with great hands, and her strong floor defense helps round out her game. With a more normal season on the horizon, Lincoln East might be ready to take another step forward.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104981" first="Aubrey" last="O’Hare"] - 5’9 S/RS - Gothenburg</strong></p> <p>Talk about a productive opening campaign. O’Hare put down 229 kills on .296 hitting in her first season with Gothenburg, and she added a ton of assists as a setter, too. She ought to build on that performance in 2021. This versatile hitter can drive the ball down from either pin. Look for O’Hare to be a rising small-town talent for the next few years.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_118968" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-118968" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Kayla-Eggiman.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Eggiman[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122824" first="Kayla" last="Eggiman"] - 5’8 OH - Bellevue West</strong></p> <p>Eggiman is another hitter who got a fair share of swings as a freshman. After tallying 128 kills a season ago, Eggiman is steadily improving and will likely take on a big role this season. She brings some great elevation to the left pin in addition to the all-around skills she’s working into her game. Competition in Class A is always fierce, but Bellevue West has a stable of hitters they can rely on.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104984" first="Faith" last="Frame"] - 5’6 DS/L - Gretna</strong></p> <p>Frame made great use of this year’s club season. She showed us everything: stout floor defense, steady passing, and a readiness to inject energy into her team. Gretna will be excited to bring all these things to their side of the net when play gets underway in August.</p>