Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: Ten High-Flying Middles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps this will be the year of the middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's always fascinating to see which position groups start to emerge as the trendsetter in an up-and-coming class. The jury is still out on the Class of 2026 as we scratch the surface of this group's talent pool. However, the middle blockers in this age group have already given us reasons to get excited about the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, in the wake of our update <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/nebraska-2026-watch-list/">Nebraska 2026 watch list</a> update, here are ten high-flying middles that have carried the torch well for this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349451"],"_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":"Nebraska Elite is going to factor heavily in this feature, so let's get it rolling with Blankenau. This versatile frontcourt attacker can play opposite if needed but has done most of her damage in the middle for 15 Prime. Her length makes her hard to miss in the team's frontcourt, and 15 Prime knows how to give Blankenau her share of attempts once she rotates in.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["276190"],"_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":"Boone's emergence in the 15 Phoenix frontcourt has offered a huge boost to the team's offense. Her balanced approach to the middle blocker position is seen through her efficient attacks in a variety of gaps. Better yet, Boone brings the kind of lockdown blocking we've come to expect from a Nebraska Elite middle.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["349475"],"_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":"Garcia-Alvarez landed on our radar a while ago after her standout performances on the high school stage. She picked up right where she left off in the club season, and River City Jrs 15 Navy has been happy to reap the benefits. This is one of several Omaha-area middles we'll be watching closely this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349486"],"_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":"We recently tabbed Kuhlmann as a breakout performer during April's Great Plains Bid Tournament. It should be no surprise that this exceptional outing from Kuhlmann granted a big boost toward VCN 15 Black's GJNC aspirations. 15 Black will be in the middle of the Chicago action and will feel confident with Kuhlmann in the middle of the net.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349416"],"_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":"Papio South's middle blocker pipeline has really been ramping up lately, and Larsen adds to that trend in the 2026 class. She has quickly become a focal point of the Premier 15 Silver offense and was a vital part of the team's success at qualifiers. Length and physicality remain big strengths that will help Larsen develop into a dominant middle.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["230819"],"_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":"Here's one for the small-town crowd. Oldehoeft represents Southeast Grays during the club season and has already made her mark in prep competition with Exeter-Milligan. Her long frame fits the mold of middle blockers we've seen in this high school program before.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["276193"],"_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":"Another one for Nebraska Elite. Spath can play a variety of positions for 15 Phoenix, so don't tether her completely to the middle blocker spot. Regardless, this Gretna prep athlete is willing to do whatever necessary to elevate her squad's net presence.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["257188"],"_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":"Stehlik brings River City Jrs back into the conversation, and there's a lot to be excited about with this 15 Navy team. The middle blocker spot has become an established strength of the team with players like Stehlik leading the charge","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["275897"],"_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":"Thaden's ascent on the 2026 leaderboards has been a major storyline lately, and she's only just getting started. Millard West will likely find ways to get this rising sophomore involved in the offense after a breakout 15s campaign with Nebraska Elite. Stock risers abound in this position group, and Thaden is one of the major leaders among the 2026s.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["275967"],"_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":"We had Arbuthnot on our radar before the 2023 club season started. Her freshman year with Sumner-Eddyville-Miller culminated in a state tournament appearance, putting this talented middle squarely in the Class of 2026 spotlight. This club season has given us an even better version of Arbuthnot as she joins a talented pack of 2026s playing up with Nebraska Pride Gold 16s. Nationals is on the horizon, and Arbuthnot's physical style along the net will be squarely in focus once again.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647bb588e80f0"} /-->