Nebraska 2024 Rankings Update: Ball Control Stock Risers
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Yesterday’s stock riser feature was all about the frontcourt attackers. Let’s flip the narrative. No club team can find glory at the highest level without some stellar anchors in the ball control phase. This includes first and second contacts that…
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Continue ReadingYesterday’s stock riser feature was all about the frontcourt attackers. Let’s flip the narrative.
No club team can find glory at the highest level without some stellar anchors in the ball control phase. This includes first and second contacts that are handled by defensive specialists and setters, respectively. Both positions are in the spotlight here with Nebraska’s Class of 2024 featuring several stock risers at these positions.
Here are a few that climbed the ladder in our latest update.
There’s little doubt that Long is the “glue” for VCNebraska 17 Elite. The Marquette commit has been extraordinary over the past several months, and that’s not limited to Long’s appearances on club volleyball’s biggest stages. She led Lincoln Southwest to one of its best seasons ever last fall, and we might bear witness to an even better campaign in 2023.
Another D1-bound setter is making moves this year. Booth has put her adaptability on display by competing with a new club team this year and keeping up her same standard of excellence. The UNI commit stayed down with the 17s after regularly playing up throughout her career, and the move has regularly paid dividends. Another appearance at Nationals is on the way for Booth and her team.
Why not stay on this run of D1-caliber athletes? We’re moving to the backcourt for this one, however, as Galligan has established herself as one of Nebraska’s premier liberos in the 2024 class. The Elkhorn South standout will take her talents to Nebraska Omaha after one more cycle of brilliant outings with the Storm and Nebraska Elite.
Groves, like Booth, is another Premier Nebraska standout who experienced a change of scenery in 2023. The Papio South defender made the leap to Premier 18 Black this year and played a vital role in helping the team clinch a Nationals bid. Getting an immediate spark in the backcourt was clearly a gamechanger for 18 Black, and Groves was there to provide many of those big plays.
Highlights
Ahrens keeps climbing. She has become one of Nebraska’s most prolific stock risers in the 2024 class and has been absolutely indispensable in the Premier 17 Red lineup. It’s clear why the team has chosen Ahrens as their captain and leader, and we’ll see those qualities emerge yet again in Chicago this summer.
This feature is a perfect venue to talk about another one of our new college commitments in Nebraska’s 2024 class. Cogan has given her pledge to Augustana after another standout year in the libero jersey for VCNebraska. The Lincoln Southeast prep star will now focus on putting a bow on what has been a long, storied prep career.
Premier 17 Red is loaded with talented defensive specialist, so you can almost take your pick on which one to include as a stock riser. Piening has made major strides in 2023 following a thrilling junior year with Norris on the prep side. We can look ahead to what should be a great senior year, but Piening and her Premier squad have unfinished business at Nationals.
Chesley represents a growing wave of talented setters in the Nebraska ONE gym. Some of her finest moments came at the end of the 2023 season as Nebraska ONE 17 Black vied for a Nationals bid at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Look for this versatile athlete to shine once again when she suits up for Lincoln Pius X this fall.
Highlights
VCNebraska 17 Black has showcased a wide array of stock risers during its successful late-season run. Clark is one of those players that has emerged in the spotlight after some standout moments in the backcourt. Her rock-solid serve receive, particularly in the middle-back area, has helped keep 17 Black in system and allowed the team’s offense to flourish.
Kopocis has been climbing the 2024 leaderboard over the past several months, and she’s only just getting started. DC West’s historic appearance in last year’s state championships had a lot to do with Kopocis’s leadership at the setter spot. She’s now brought that same influence to the Club Legacy gym.