Which Nebraska 2026s Took a Step Forward at NLQ?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneapolis was the perfect place to learn about so much up-and-coming talent from the Class of 2026. We're still trying to get a feel for this group here in Nebraska, so we'll take any scouting opportunity we can get. And, as always, a certain group of athletes rose to the forefront on NLQ's biggest stage. Let's put them on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few Nebraska 2026s I'll be following after a breakout weekend at the Northern Lights Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275936"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When Premier 15 Gold is passing well, you can bet on Erb getting her share of attacks. She just knows how to score. Whether it's in front of the setter on the quick or behind on the slide, Erb is a go-to hitter whose quickness and power are difficult to counter. 15 Gold is on the cusp of a bid, and Erb will remain a big part of any future success.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349479"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Behrns remains a must-see standout who can play on either pin for VCNebraska 15 Elite. The David City native also brings a surplus of backcourt experience to the fray and can play stout defense in middle-back or right-back. While her role may vary from match to match, Behrns will never waver in her pursuit of excellence.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["275961"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Wattier is a name that has kept coming up ever since her debut season with Norfolk Catholic last fall. She helped lead the Knights to the Class D1 championship match as a freshman, and now she's setting up a successful club campaign for Nebraska Juniors 15 Black. Wattier's multi-faceted role is shown through her skilled setting, physicality at the net, and a penchant to attack the ball herself whenever the situation warrants.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["251144"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Let's revisit that aforementioned VCN 15 Elite squad to give props to another setter who impressed us last weekend. Eckman helped run the show for VCNebraska's top 15s squad last weekend and appeared to get more comfortable as the event progressed. That bodes well for 15 Elite's bid aspirations in Kansas City.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["276195"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Wingett has the kind of range and contact point that you notice right away. 15 Phoenix likes to put Wingett in a position to get as many swings as possible, and that often involves putting this versatile attacker on the left side. She can play more than just outside hitter, though, so watch for Wingett's role to keep evolving throughout the season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["226172"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"We already covered the entire Premier 15 Black roster in full detail on our u003ca href=u0022https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nebraska-bid-tracker-premier-15-black-climbs-to-nlq-title-match/u0022u003eNebraska Bid Trackeru003c/au003e series, so we won't belabor the point here. But the wide-ranging influence of Rogokos cannot be ignored, from her dynamic attacks on the right pin to her willingness to step in and play floor defense. This opposite was one of many to thrive during a special weekend for 15 Black.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349411"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Put another excellent tournament performance on the board for Melendez. This Premier 15 Red libero instantly stands out for a squad that prides itself on lockdown defense. Melendez is so good at stepping into the u0022campfireu0022 to seal up any gaps in 15 Red's coverage, allowing her teammates to focus on their other responsibilities. That's the hallmark of an indispensable libero.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349484"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Bellamy is one of many players on this feature who can play on either pin and succeed. The fun part about covering 15s is that few positions are completely set in stone. Either way, Bellamy's hard-hitting offense provided a frequent boost to VCN 15 Black during its solid outing in Minneapolis.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349421"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"While Barrett is listed as an opposite in our database, she had several strong showings on the left pin for Nebraska Elite 15 Prime. Physicality is a huge plus for this emerging 2026 athlete, and 15 Prime ought to keep elevating its game heading into the Show Me Qualifier.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["219728"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Like Wattier, Hengelfelt is a small-town talent who has already experienced the state championship stage in her freshman season. She burst onto the scene with Cross County to finish 2022, and she picked right back up with Nebraska ONE 15 Black in the club season. 15 Black's unique system allows Hengelfelt to showcase her skills as both a setter and an opposite, leaving us to marvel at her all-around impact.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642737b441ea2"} /-->