Early Impact 2025s: Outside Hitters
Today is dedicated to the 2025s. It’s time to expand our player base and find the next emerging talent for our 2025 Watch List. In this feature, we’re looking at some outside hitters. Of course, it’s fair to say that…
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Continue ReadingToday is dedicated to the 2025s. It’s time to expand our player base and find the next emerging talent for our 2025 Watch List.
In this feature, we’re looking at some outside hitters. Of course, it’s fair to say that not all positions are set in stone this early in a player’s prep career. Some of these athletes may not stay at the pins forever, but that’s just a testament to the versatility of Nebraska’s volleyball talent.
Regardless, these are names worth keeping an eye on for a while. Don’t forget to check out our feature on freshman middle blockers, too!
Tia Traudt Tia Traudt 6'0" | OH Grand Island | 2025 State NE – 6’0 OH – Grand Island
Needless to say, the Islanders are all set on the left pin for a while. After having to sit out of Grand Island’s season opener against Lincoln East, Traudt quickly made up for lost time by posting 19 kills in her first high school match against Norfolk. She hasn’t slowed down since. Those who saw Traudt play for VCN last spring will not be surprised by her productive debut season in which she has accumulated nearly four kills per set.
Quincy Cotter – 5’7 OH – Raymond Central
Cotter has not shied away from leading the Raymond Central offense in her freshman season. She has regularly finished matches hitting beyond .400 and is contributing to the team’s defense, too. Cotter’s continued success will be important as the Mustangs look to ascend the Class C1 leaderboard.
Shay Heaney Shay Heaney 6'2" | OH Elkhorn North | 2025 State NE – 6’0 OH – Elkhorn North
Yes, the Heaney duo is already putting in work at Elkhorn North. The younger Heaney has put down two-and-a-half kills per set this season and is a great compliment to all the other young talent on the Wolves roster. Players like Heaney are quickly building the upstart Elkhorn North program into a team that could compete for titles in the very near future.
Brandi Helzer – 5’11 OH – Oakland-Craig
Speaking of championship contenders, Oakland-Craig is having an outstanding year behind some big-time underclassmen. Helzer is a great example. This freshman pin hitter has put up some impressive numbers this season, including an 18-kill performance against powerhouse Howells-Dodge. New faces will clearly play a big part in Oakland-Craig’s journey through the 2021 postseason.
Brylee Nelsen – 5’10 S/RS – Fremont
Nelsen’s impact on this Fremont team is twofold. Not only can she take some great swings from the opposite position, but she can also run a smooth offense as a back-row setter. Nelsen rounds out her complete game with some solid right-back defense and invaluable leadership. Fremont has a great core of senior standouts, but don’t forget about the underclassmen who are already carving out major roles with the Tigers.
Hayden Osmera Hayden Osmera 5'11" | OH Lincoln Northeast | 2025 State NE – 5’11 OH – Wahoo
Osmera is another VCN product that is having an immediate impact on the high school side. She generates great power on her approach and can use her length to drive the ball over the block. Her strong technique has yielded a handful of impressive performances against some of the state’s top teams.
Mattie Kamery – 5’7 S/RS – Minden
We’re rounding out this feature with another standout setter/opposite. Kamery has been filling up nearly every statistical category this season as both a go-to hitter and a skilled setter. Her gritty backcourt defense has yielded plenty of highlight moments, too. The Whippets are going to keep surging forward with this freshman leading the way.