Nebraska’s Emerging 2026 Liberos from GJNC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about the 2026s?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just started our GJNC libero discussion with a few <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/nebraskas-lockdown-2025-defenders-from-gjnc/">Nebraska 2025s</a> to keep an eye on after the season's biggest event. It's only fair that we give the 2026s their due, especially with so many standout players from this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few of Nebraska's future stars at the libero position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396734"],"_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":"We learned about Griess' show-stopping potential when she competed with Sutton as a freshman last fall. The small-town gem has taken her game to a new level in the South Central gym. Her steady hand in the backcourt helped 15 Black earn an extraordinary podium finish in GJNC's 15 Liberty division. That big-time experience will leave Griess primed for an even more significant step forward as a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349458"],"_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":"Schaedel can do a little bit of everything in the ball control phase, so don't exclusively tether her to the defensive specialist role. Though this Lincoln Lutheran athlete has a setting background, Schaedel's recent reps with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black have come in the libero jersey. We'll see what kind of multi-faceted impact she can bring this fall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["389941"],"_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":"Speaking of natural middle-back defenders, Konz is another Zone 6 standout who has established herself in the Class of 2026. Sure, I'm technically hopping the border into Iowa for this one, but Konz brings lockdown defense that cannot be overlooked. The Iowa prep scene has a good one.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349412"],"_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":"Kauffman bolstered what was a strong Premier 15 Red defensive unit. We've been particularly impressed with Kauffman's ability to adapt to playing either as a libero or a primary defensive specialist. She's impactful regardless of 15 Red's lineup and will strive to make everyone around her better.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349413"],"_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":"Here's another entry for that 15 Red defensive platoon. Miller thrives as a primary DS and is not afraid to take a large share of contacts in serve receive. She backs that up with some fearless floor defense that really showed up in late-season events like GJNC. Expect more Nationals appearances from this group.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349487"],"_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":"Kopf is a libero who brings her best stuff when the pressure is on. That was apparent when [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] 15 Black made its GPR breakthrough to secure a Nationals bid. Kopf then capitalized on the opportunity with a stellar postseason showing and a strong placing for her VCN squad.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349404"],"_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":"Zimmerman will be a name to watch out for on the high school side. She's already seen the spotlight with Premier Nebraska, of course. This libero had a big surge during qualifiers that helped 15 Black lock up a coveted USA bid. Zimmerman hasn't slowed down since then and found an excellent rhythm in Chicago. She'll just keep climbing with more high-level reps.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b9d4bfc22eb"} /-->