Nebraska 2024 Rankings Update: College Signees Around the Map
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Let’s branch out a bit. Yesterday, we led off our post-2024 rankings update coverage with a look at Nebraska’s in-state college-bound talent. We have so many more signees left to cover, however, and we’re stepping outside state lines for this…
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Continue ReadingLet’s branch out a bit.
Yesterday, we led off our post-2024 rankings update coverage with a look at Nebraska’s in-state college-bound talent. We have so many more signees left to cover, however, and we’re stepping outside state lines for this one.
Here are some of Nebraska’s top 2024s who will be making a big move when they make the collegiate transition this summer.
Sioux Falls and ‘Yotes
Let’s start closer to home, starting with Nebraska’s northern allies.
Tatum Godinez Tatum Godinez 5'11" | RS Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE is heading to the University of Sioux Falls, where she can fill a long list of roles at the next level. We saw that play out at Omaha Westside, where Godinez spent time at both pins and also helped out in serve receive. Speaking of serve receive, we look forward to seeing Lincoln Southeast libero Lucy Cogan Lucy Cogan 5'6" | DS/L Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE compete with Augustana, another program in Sioux Falls.
Then, of course, there’s the University of South Dakota. The Vermillion program has made a living off of drawing Nebraska athletes, particularly in the last few cycles. It’s hard to argue with this formula as the Coyotes continue a multi-year run of competing for Summit League titles.
2024’s headliner is our top-ranked player in the class: Lauren Medeck Lauren Medeck 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State #31 Nation NE . The ‘Yotes were quick to go after this Papio South star, even as Medeck was just coming back from injury in the summer of 2022. Her dominance on the prep stage is well documented: multiple Class A titles, a podium finish in 16 Open, and all the individual accolades you could ever want. Welcome to South Dakota.
The Coyotes weren’t done. South Dakota added one big name after another, including Medeck’s high school and club teammate, Morgan Bode Morgan Bode 6'1" | MB Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State NE . Bode is ready-made for the D1 level with her physicality from the middle. She is joined by Norfolk outside hitter Carly Ries Carly Ries 6'3" | OH Norfolk | 2024 State NE , who carried the torch for Nebraska Elite on the club side. We’re anxious to project how many Nebraska prep players the Coyotes will have a couple of years from now. It’s a lot.
To the South
Kansas is in the mix.
Nebraska’s southern neighbor is getting a major haul in the 2024 class, particularly at the D2 level. Washburn has been the trendsetter in nabbing Nebraska talent over the past few years, and that holds true again with this signing class. The Ichabods will bolster the frontcourt with the addition of outside hitter Josie Cleveringa Josie Cleveringa 5'10" | OH North Bend Central | 2024 State NE and opposite Brynne Topolski Brynne Topolski 5'11" | RS Lincoln East | 2024 State NE .
Cleveringa helped elevate North Bend Central to statewide prominence in volleyball, basketball, and track. Only an injury late in her prep career could stop Cleveringa’s multi-sport dominance, and her influence on the volleyball side was also felt with Premier Nebraska. Washburn will be excited to get this small-town star back to full strength.
Topolski, meanwhile, was plucked from the heart of the star city. This dynamic six-rotation opposite helped rewrite history at Lincoln East by ending the program’s long state tournament drought. She made it back-to-back in 2023 for good measure. One of Nebraska’s most well-rounded right-side hitters is ready to make an impact.
Fort Hays State also gets on the board with Elkhorn North libero Haylee Wolf Haylee Wolf 5'7" | DS/L Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE joining the program. This is another splashy commitment for one of Kansas’ D2 schools. Wolf was instrumental in Elkhorn North’s rise from a brand-new school to a yearly competitor in the Class B race. She has also seen plenty of big stages on the club side, preparing Wolf for many more with the Tigers.
Ainsley Vanosdall Ainsley Vanosdall 5'9" | S Platteview | 2024 State NE is another Kansas-bound athlete to keep an eye on. The Platteview setter heads to MidAmerica Nazarene University on the Kansas side of Kansas City. An appearance at this year’s state tournament was the perfect launching point for this big move, and we’re excited to see how it plays out.
Lastly, keep an eye out for Omaha Concordia libero Abigail Distefano Abigail Distefano 5'3" | DS/L Omaha Concordia | 2024 State NE at Central Christian. This is our chance to give a shoutout to Banzai Volleyball Club , which brought about some of Distefano’s best moments on the club scene.
Going East
Then, there’s Iowa to the east. We’re about to have Nebraska representation across the collegiate landscape in the Hawkeye State.
While we’re on the topic of Elkhorn North, we might as well bring up Reese Booth Reese Booth 5'7" | S Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE ‘s commitment to Northern Iowa. The Wolves leaned on this talented setter from the moment the school opened. Booth has been a transformative athlete with Premier Nebraska who was willing to fill any role necessary to help her team. That included stints as a setter, an opposite, a defensive specialist, and anything in between. The Panthers will find a way to get Booth involved.
Let’s stay in the same conference. Carolyn Maser Carolyn Maser 6'1" | S Grand Island Central Catholic | 2024 State NE , a physical setter who led Grand Island Central Catholic to the C1 mountaintop in 2022, is signed with Drake. The Bulldogs gained serious momentum in the MVC this fall, and Maser is the kind of player who can help keep it going. Are we ready for some Booth-Maser setter duels?
We can’t have the Iowa conversation without mentioning Morningside. The NAIA school in Sioux City is swiping as many Nebraska stars as it can. The Mustangs welcome Papio South teammates Kyla Dyrstad Kyla Dyrstad 5'6" | S Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State NE and Quinn Groves Quinn Groves 5'5" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State NE , Lincoln Pius X outside hitter Sidda Hagedorn Sidda Hagedorn 5'11" | OH Lincoln Pius X | 2024 State NE , and Lincoln Southwest defensive specialist Reese Boyd Reese Boyd 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE . If you’re looking to assemble a list of 2024s who made huge strides late in their prep careers, this Morningside signing class would be a good start. It’s a group that boasts serious ball control skills, so look out for the Mustang backcourt.
As we keep creeping eastward, more big names enter the spotlight. This includes Lincoln Southwest setter Malayah Long Malayah Long 6'0" | S Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State #142 Nation NE , a state champion who will take her talents to Marquette in the Big East. The Golden Eagles have built up some all-American-caliber setters in the past several years, and Long might be another one.
Millard West outside hitter Kaelin Pribyl Kaelin Pribyl 6'0" | OH Millard West | 2024 State NE is prepping for D1 volleyball at Southern Illinois. Pribyl’s senior year with the Wildcats proved her readiness to compete at the next level, as she took command of the offense while putting up some of Nebraska’s biggest kill totals. Expect this six-rotation pin hitter to add some value to the serve receive pattern, too.
Faith Frame Faith Frame 5'6" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #167 Nation NE comes into focus as we venture closer to the Rust Belt. The Cincinnati Bearcats have risen to prominence upon completing their inaugural Big 12 season this fall. They’ll now add one of Nebraska’s top liberos in the 2024 class after Frame compiled nearly unrivaled dig totals in Class A. She was also an all-tournament honoree when Premier Nebraska 16 Gold earned a third-place finish at GJNC in 2022. Frame has done it all.
We’re racking up serious miles now. How about Emerson Lionberger Emerson Lionberger 6'0" | MB Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE , the Lincoln Southwest middle blocker who signed with Navy? We don’t usually get to discuss service academies here (except for Army’s Paige Fixemer, of course), but Lionberger is carving her own path to Annapolis. It’s hard not to be optimistic after Lionberger and the Silver Hawks notched that elusive state title in 2023.
Mallorie Meyer Mallorie Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln East | 2024 State NE looms large in the easternmost group. The Lincoln East libero is signed with Pittsburgh, a soaring squad on the heels of three consecutive appearances in the D1 national semifinals. That’s a lot of pressure for new recruits, but Meyer has always handled the spotlight.
Our eastward journey ends in the Carolinas. Lincoln East outside hitter Megan Waters Megan Waters 5'10" | OH Lincoln East | 2024 State NE is heading to Campbell, a D1 program in North Carolina. The Camels have been a frequent factor in conference title races, even as they transitioned from the Big South to the Colonial Athletic this year. Waters will bring the all-around skills that the program is looking for. Likewise, Millard South setter Rylee Anderson Rylee Anderson 5'8" | S Millard South | 2024 State NE is seeking an immediate impact with Spartanburg Methodist in South Carolina. Nebraska is extending its reach with this 2024 class.
Westbound
Turn around and go west!
Colorado is no stranger to Nebraska talent, and we have a pair of good ones here.
Lincoln Southwest gets on the board again with Madison Rink Madison Rink 6'2" | MB Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE going to Northern Colorado. Rink quickly became a featured pin attacker with the Silver Hawks en route to the state championships, and the Bears will be ready to harness her hard-hitting style.
Regis landed Papio setter Reagan Hickey Reagan Hickey 5'8" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State NE , who smashed records during her tenure with the Monarchs. It’s hard to find a 2024 recruit with more high-level varsity experience, and Hickey makes everyone around her better.
We’re crossing the Rocky Mountains. Look out for Ogallala prep star Marlee Ervin Marlee Ervin 6'0" | S Ogallala | 2024 State NE , a transformative setter-hitter who will take her range and versatility to Southern Utah. Whenever we visited small-town high school invites and other regional events, we had to look out for Ervin. The same can be said of her club stint with Nebraska Juniors, too.
Need more small-town representation? How about Wausa standout Hunter West Hunter West 5'8" | OH Wausa | 2024 State NE making a D1 commitment to Grand Canyon? The Lopes have never been afraid to wield some pin hitters who trade height for athletic ability. That formula yielded a conference title in 2023, and West is hoping to keep the streak alive. A defensive specialist role could also be in West’s immediate future.
Lastly, we’ll give a shoutout to a few on the coast.
Mia Tvrdy Mia Tvrdy 6'0" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #35 Nation NE is Big Ten-bound with Oregon. That conference realignment will take a while to sink in. Regardless, Tvrdy has the springy, quick skillset that has become a staple of Oregon’s offense in recent years. The slide attack is here to stay.
Tvrdy has company in the Big Ten with Paisley Douglas Paisley Douglas 5'5" | DS/L Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2024 State #123 Nation NE joining Southern California. The Women of Troy are getting multi-year state champion and an absolutely impenetrable force in the middle-back area. Douglas was the only senior on Omaha Skutt Catholic’s roster this fall, but that senior “class” was something to behold.
Keep tabs on Eleanor Brislen Eleanor Brislen 5'11" | OH Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE as she heads to Concordia (CA). Similar to our conversation on Godinez, Brislen was a do-everything player for the Warriors who could bring the same influence at the next level.