Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: New Additions (Part 3)
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Here comes the finale! In case you missed it, we started the week with a big refresh to Nebraska’s Class of 2026 watch list. The update added so many names that it necessitated a trilogy series to introduce all the…
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Continue ReadingHere comes the finale!
In case you missed it, we started the week with a big refresh to Nebraska’s Class of 2026 watch list. The update added so many names that it necessitated a trilogy series to introduce all the new athletes. With Part 1 and Part 2 already complete, it’s time to finish the job.
Let’s do it.
We started to see some significant Premier 15 Black representation in Part 2 of this series, so let’s start off Part 3 with another name worth knowing. Ortmeier presents some power and physicality that 15 Black will lean on as it embarks on a big stretch of Midwest qualifiers.
We’ll never shy away from the challenge of covering new high schools, and Lincoln Northwest is a fresh one on the capital city scene. It helps that we’ll be able to scout some of its incoming talent during the club season. Pearson, a right-side hitter for VCNebraska 15 Blue, is one of those Falcon freshmen that we’ll see this spring.
Highlights
Adding Petersen to the 2026 watch list was a no-brainer. It’s hard to ignore the major backcourt contributions she’s made with VCNebraska 15 Elite, a team that will be hunting an Open bid for the next few weeks.
Peterson kicks off a solid contingent of Nebraska ONE 15 Black representation on this feature. The Lincoln Northeast product has brought some impressive physicality to the right pin and meshes well with her team’s other frontcourt standouts.
Highlights
Club Legacy is bringing in a wealth of Omaha Marian athletes with Piernicky being one of those in the pipeline. 15 Alpha’s roster features some multi-talented players like Piernicky who are not yet locked into one position.
We’ve generated a lot of buzz surrounding the Nebraska Elite 15 Prime backcourt, and Rangel is another athlete who has excelled in this area. Of course, we’d expect to see at least a few of 15 Prime’s defensive specialists get some run in the front row. Rangel might be part of that equation, too.
Premier Nebraska’s depth at the 15s level is about to be put on display, and 15 Silver will be at the center of that discussion with Rauner leading the way at setter. We might also see Rauner spend some time as a frontcourt hitter when action picks up this weekend in Minneapolis.
Rowe helps continue our conversation of small-town talents standing out with VCNebraska. The list just keeps growing. This Columbus Lakeview middle blocker bolsters an intimidating 15 Elite frontcourt that should find plenty of success against regional competitors.
The connection between Papio High and River City Jrs remains strong down to the 15s level. Ryan is quickly establishing herself as a can’t-miss libero in the 2026 class, and her time on the big stage is quickly approaching.
Sattem’s presence in the front row is suitable for either middle blocker or opposite. 15 Prime boasts so many of these adaptable attackers, and Sattem will be one to follow at NLQ.
This feature will mention a pair of Lincoln Lutheran freshmen who played a role in the Warriors’ 40-0 title-winning season. Schaedel has already seen plenty of opportunities to shine on the varsity stage, including a starting stint in last year’s state championship match. This talented setter is putting that experience to good use with Nebraska ONE 15 Black and is prepared for many more winning moments on the club side.
Scheer hops all the way over from Grand Island Northwest to compete with VCNebraska 15 Elite. It’s a worthwhile move, too, as Scheer brings an extra shot of physicality to the right pin that will have VCN in the Open bid hunt this spring.
Highlights
The Siebler name is already familiar to those who have watched Omaha Westside’s recent ascent, which culminated in a runner-up finish in last year’s Class A gauntlet. This latest Siebler iteration has made big strides with Premier 15 Red this spring and looks poised to continue a family tradition of volleyball success.
Like Schaedel, Sjuts was part of Lincoln Lutheran’s unblemished run to the C2 title last fall. This year’s club season is giving us a full glimpse at Sjuts’s potential as a shutdown middle blocker, and it’s only fitting that she gets to compete alongside Schaedel with Nebraska ONE. A big test awaits as Sjuts and 15 Black travel to this weekend’s Northern Lights Qualifier
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Stevens is part of the ever-growing list of Premier 15 Red players to be added to our 2026 watch list. The Omaha Skutt Catholic prep athlete shows her leadership through her setting and her floor defense, both of which will be crucial contributions during qualifiers.
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Stradal has a shot to assert herself as a go-to attacker for Nebraska Elite 15 Prime. Moreover, this outside hitter adds to an enormous list of Gretna-area athletes who are now appearing on our 2026 watch list.
Here’s another one of those Club Legacy-Omaha Marian athletes. Suljuzovic looms large in the middle for 15 Alpha, offering the quickness and versatility to dominate along the net.
Talbott gives Nebraska ONE 15 Black a wealth of lineup options. She can play on either pin, rotate into the backcourt to play floor defense, and do just about everything else in between. Nebraska ONE has seen players with such a wide-ranging skill set before.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a Lincoln Pius X mention, so Wemhoff is here to fix that. This steady libero represents a VCNebraska 15 Black squad that will look for a USA bid in the near future.
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Wiebelhaus joins a long list of Millard West setters who have exhibited great potential over the last few years. On the club side, this 2026 signal-caller represents Nebraska Elite 15 Extreme and can show a bit of that leadership at NLQ.
15 Extreme gets two consecutive entries here with Zabloudil representing Gretna High School on this Nebraska Elite squad. Nebraska’s Class of 2026 has a wealth of intriguing opposites rising to the forefront, with Zabloudil recently putting herself in that category.
Gretna prep athletes have given so much to the Premier Nebraska program lately, especially at the libero position. Mark down Zimmerman as another one in this pipeline. Her defensive instincts have flourished with 15 Black this spring, yielding some impressive results early in 2023.