Nebraska’s Small-Town Sophomores Making a Big Impact

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another one of those small-town features.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the high school season started, we made a commitment to pay extra attention to the hidden gems competing outside the big cities. We're making those small-town athletes the sole focus of today's feature, and the Class of 2026 is also in the spotlight here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meet a few of the small-town sophomores making their mark early in the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276204"],"_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":"Efficient scoring has been Dahlberg's mantra since she first suited up for Sandhill/Thedford last year. In 2023, this dynamic middle attacker has started by putting up about two-and-a-half kills per set on an impressive 0.330 clip. The Knights will hope to give Dahlberg even more attacking volume after the team's excellent 6-1 start.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["275966"],"_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":"Falk hasn't gotten enough hype for her valuable role in the Nebraska Christian volleyball powerhouse. Let's fix that. The Eagles have seen their sophomore middle blocker soar to greater heights in the first several matches of 2023. Falk is credited with about two kills per set and a 0.300 hitting efficiency that is sure to draw attention on opposing scouting reports.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["349486"],"_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":"Kuhlmann is one of several small-town contributors to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] that we highlighted during the club season. Her impact is also felt on the prep side, where Wilber-Clatonia takes full advantage of Kuhlmann's physicality at the middle blocker spot. She has compiled over two kills per set with the Wolverines and will likely see her production rise in the coming weeks.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349479"],"_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":"Why not continue the VCN representation? [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] receives Behrns' services via David City, and we got a great glimpse at this lefty's length and power during the spring. Now, Behrns is tearing it up with the Scouts in both efficiency and volume. She has put down nearly five kills per set on a lethal 0.279 clip from the outside. Better yet, Behrns is not the only impactful sophomore attacker we'll cover from the David City roster. There's a lot more to the story, and we'll address that before the season is over.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Macy' last='Willis']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Shelton","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Willis is taking on a much bigger role with Shelton this year. It's a testament to this sophomore's improvement as the Bulldogs chase a repeat appearance at this year's state tournament. Shelton's savvy setter is averaging over eight assists per set, and Willis is not afraid to tally her share of digs, either. This will be a fascinating year for Willis and her championship-contending squad.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='464924' first='Molley' last='Drohman']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Deshler","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"We're venturing to Deshler for our next sophomore setter. Like Willis, Drohman is taking the reins of her team's offense after seeing variable roles as a freshman. Drohman's breakout start to the 2023 season has lifted the Dragons to wins over Giltner and Sterling, and this squad is just getting started.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["276206"],"_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":"Glock can take on just about any role imaginable. She leads Ashland-Greenwood in both kills and digs. That, in itself, paints a clear picture of the versatility that Glock offers. Best of all, we're seeing this multi-talented pin hitter take on a leadership position that's well beyond her years. Underclassmen can take charge, too.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='464928' first='Addison' last='Slama']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'1u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Gordon-Rushville","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Gordon-Rushville has one of Nebraska's most statistically productive sophomore liberos in early-season action. Slama has averaged over five digs per set in the first handful of sets for the Mustangs. That has helped Gordon-Rushville climb to a 4-1 record behind the stout endline defense of their sophomore specialist. Keep this team in mind when looking for more hidden gems in the small-town scene.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Taylen Stark","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Niobrara/Verdigre","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"It's been a while since we've brought Niobrara/Verdigre into the conversation. This is a perfect opportunity to do it with Stark having such a stellar start to the 2023 season. Every statistical category is covered here. Stark is guiding the defense with over four digs per set but also gets involved in the frontcourt with her termination and blocking. It's a dramatic rise in production from Stark's freshman year, which helps demonstrate our renewed focus on Nebraska's sophomore class.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f40d808fba1"} /-->