Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: Nationals-Bound Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll have no shortage of Great Plains representation at Nationals--especially from Nebraska's star-studded Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following our prior updates to rankings for the 2024s and 2025s, we've dedicated a feature toward some potential stock risers who will be competing at Nationals this summer. We're sticking with that theme one more time, as there is some serious Class of 2026 talent making the trip from Nebraska to Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few standouts we'll be watching when the season finale kicks off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253928"],"_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":"Premier 15 Gold has some serious flexibility at its pin positions, and Lamb has always been a prominent piece of the puzzle on the outside. The Omaha Westside prep star has used her impressive physicality to overpower opposing blockers and rack up kills in out-of-system situations. We saw a little of that magic when 15 Gold locked up its long-awaited Open bid at the Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["275902"],"_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":"We've said it before: Premier 15 Gold loves to set the middles. It's easy to see why, too, because players like Sumner have been terminating at such a high clip. The team's two-setter offense allows Sumner to put much of her energy toward swinging on the middle quick, and she's proven over and over that she can take over matches with that route.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["349404"],"_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":"It has been a joy to watch Zimmerman seize command of Premier 15 Black's back row in 2023. Not only does she have the technical skills to be an outstanding libero, but her vocal leadership and positivity have elevated 15 Black's confidence in some nail-biting moments. Never was that more apparent than when 15 Black was chasing its bid during the spring.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349408"],"_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":"Premier 15 Black's talented athletes have been in the spotlight for a while after the team's runner-up finish at NLQ back in March. Douan is one 15 Black's pin hitters who landed on our radar after that special weekend, and her contributions on the right pin will remain a vital part of 15 Black's ability to succeed under pressure.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["253923"],"_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":"If you were paying attention to some of the most productive Nebraska freshmen during last year's high school season, you already know Branson's name. She racked up kills at an incredible rate in her debut with Shelton and helped the Bulldogs get back to the state tournament. Now Branson has lifted another team to a postseason trip as South Central NE 15 Black will take on Nationals after winning Show Me's 15 Liberty championship.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["275965"],"_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":"It's hard to know how to properly label Perdew's position in our database. She can do it all. Last fall, we saw her take the reins of a starting left-side hitter position for Nebraska Christian, a program that is now on a multi-year run of state tournament appearances. But Perdew has shown a little of her setting prowess with South Central NE 15 Black this year, too. What might the trip to Nationals offer?","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["253925"],"_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":"Every successful team needs at least one hard-hitting pin to lean on in clutch situations. Liebentritt has become that player for Premier 15 Red. The recent reps she's received on the right pin have produced some of her best moments, so perhaps we're seeing Liebentritt settle into one position for the future. Don't forget that she can still thrive as a left-side attacker, too.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["349412"],"_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":"Kauffman has made some extraordinary gains throughout the 2023 season while also adapting to Premier 15 Red's ever-evolving lineups. This surging defender has seized the spotlight whether she's in the libero jersey or as a primary DS in Zone 6. Regardless of her role, Kauffman's lateral quickness and fast adjustments have yielded a late-season boost that will keep 15 Red in the postseason conversation.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["347297"],"_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":"Peterson is a perfect fit to the unique scheme that Nebraska ONE 15 Black has regularly deployed this year. With the team running an effective three-middle system with two setters, Peterson is often asked to swap between the middle and the right side when she rotates to the frontcourt. This isn't a problem, however, as we've seen how versatile Peterson can be when running her attacking patterns.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["349456"],"_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":"It's not surprising to see ball control as a core strength for a Nebraska ONE team. 15 Black has kept up that tradition this year, and players like Talbott help make it happen. The Norris defensive specialist has thrived in a variety of spots in the backcourt rotation, particularly in left-back and middle-back. Having such steady leaders along the end line will offer a huge advantage as Nebraska ONE hunts down Nationals glory.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["253926"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"It's difficult to overstate the impact that Pearson has had with VCNebraska 15 Black. Her instinctive, deceptive setting was an absolute showstopper at the Great Plains Bid Tournament and helped 15 Black punch that coveted ticket to the big dance. As this VCN squad looks ahead to Chicago, watch for Pearson to establish that smooth rhythm once again.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["349484"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Bellamy has emerged as a steady contributor for VCN 15 Black, and this is a roster that's already loaded with talent on the pins. Whether she's asked to be a go-to terminator in the frontcourt or help out with backcourt defense in a six-rotation capacity, Bellamy knows how to deliver. That clutch factor should be on display when 15 Black hits the road this summer.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6477acc2d17cc"} /-->