2026’s Shine at 250 Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each year the competition and talent level gets better and the 250 Expo proved no different for the Class of 2026. For many this was their first experience in an Expo, so jitters can be an issue, but as the Expo went on the 2026's started to shine!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5 '8'' Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] </strong>was a key component to the success on the court for the D-2 Shelton Bulldogs this past fall. The freshman pounded 259 kills and served up 63 aces for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs fell to eventual State Champion Howells-Dodge in the State Semifinals back in November. Branson is a strong outside and plays much bigger than her 5'8” frame. She is strong and smart with the ball. She is super athletic and has a fast arm swing. Jalyn does a really great job of transitioning off the net and allowing herself several shots from the pin. Defensively she reads really well too. She is a big time small school talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5 '10”&nbsp; Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen']</strong> from Freeman High School and plays club for Premier is explosive and has a fast arm swing. She did a great job of communicating not only with her setter but being vocal every play. She had 54 blocks, 173 kills and 33 aces for the Falcons this past season. She plays with a ton of confidence and her vocal leadership is huge which results in being very positive on the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5'10” Setter [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman']</strong> from Lincoln Southwest High School and plays club for VCNebraska. She was very vocal for a freshman on the court and had tremendous ball placement for her hitters. Look for her to have a great club season and continue to have a high ceiling.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5'11” Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id='253934' first='Scotlyn' last='Erwin'] </strong>from Millard South and plays club for Premier. She has high reach and can swing over the block and makes great shots. She was the leading blocker for the Patriots this fall with 55 total blocks and 97 kills.. Look for her to continue to grow offensively over the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5'8” Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253907' first='Avery' last='White'] </strong>from Skutt Catholic High School and plays club for Premier. She is explosive and jumps really well. White plays bigger than 5'8. She chipped in 89 kills for the State Champion Skyhawks this past season. White should have a great club season and continue to improve.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5'11” Setter [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt']</strong> from Cross County and plays club for Nebraska One. She has good size for a small school setter. Hengelfelt distributed the ball well as a young setter which was huge in helping C-2 CCross County qualify for the State Tournament for the first time since 2013.  She also plays well defensively from her position which was evident on Saturday as she dug so many balls to the middle of the floor to conitue to run the offense in team play. Hengefelt is also an offensive threat from the front row as she chipped in 43 kills on the year to go along with 829 set assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Class showed no fear as they competed and showcased their abilities during the Expo. There was wide range of small school to big school talent as well! Keep this young talent on your radar to keep enjoying for the next three years!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->