Setters on the Rise in the Nebraska 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got stock risers across the board in <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska's Class of 2026 rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, our latest update for those rankings went live yesterday. We also addressed some notable numbers, storylines, and other important points in our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/03/major-shakeups-and-updates-in-nebraska-2026-rankings/">introductory feature</a>. Now, it's time to get into all the details. There's a lot to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 list is packed full of players who have climbed the ladder in our latest update. These athletes showcased the growth and skill necessary to warrant a stock boost, and this is our time to bring them into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not start with the setters? This group stood out in early 2024 and still has more to accomplish during the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251144"],"_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":"It's hard to find a more prominent 2026 stock riser than Eckman. She generated early headlines by making the move to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite for the 2024 season. Playing up an age group hasn't stopped Eckman from standing out among her older peers. Rather, this roster change has allowed Eckman's stock to skyrocket while leading a top-tier offense. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s setter depth is reaching another level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349457"],"_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":"Setter? Middle blocker? Why not both? Sjuts' setting prowess has been on full display with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black this spring. She distributes with the quick pace and precise location that we're used to seeing from [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] squads. This is in conjunction with Sjuts' excellence at middle blocker, particularly during Lincoln Lutheran's 2023 championship run. All of this shows that Sjuts can set a high-octane offense while also having the physicality to dominate in the front row. It's a perfect storm.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["278995"],"_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":"Here's another example of the VCNebraska setter depth. Bodnar is new to the VCN camp this year but has been quick to seize the opportunity with 16 Black. Last month's Presidents' Day Classic offered a stark reminder of how much Bodnar developed over the past year. This deceptive setter has a knack for holding opposing blockers and generating one-on-one chances for her hitters. Bodnar is also a lockdown right-back defender who will never shy away from digging crosscourt heat. VCN 16 Black's ceiling keeps rising with Bodnar at the helm.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["497370"],"_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":"Put another one on the VCNebraska tally. We're now shifting our focus to VCN 16 Elite, which has its own batch of rising 2026 stars. Bearden belongs in this setter conversation after all the dramatic gains she's made over the past several months. She arrived at Lincoln Southeast last fall and offered an immediate boost to the team's offense. The Knights picked up a setter who was never afraid to take risks and set against the grain. Bearden brings the same traits to VCN 16 Elite while also bringing the leadership skills you'd hope to see from your setter. 16 Elite is battled-tested after taking on Triple Crown NIT, and we'll learn a lot more about this group in the next few weeks.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349450"],"_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":"Setters with new club teams have dominated this discussion so far. Let's bring in one more. Bartholet joins the Premier Nebraska fray for 2024 and is already fitting in with 16 Red. Our past scouting reports on this savvy setter still ring true in a different environment. Bartholet is extraordinary in the back row and has the foot speed to track down any errant passes. She also has a deceptive set-over dump that makes her an attacking threat in any rotation. As team cohesion keeps developing, Bartholet and 16 Red could be a bid threat on the USAV qualifier stage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349410"],"_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":"Stevens already seems like a seasoned veteran in the Premier Nebraska gym. She was a persistent standout at the 15s level last year, especially as her team made a final bid push in the Great Plains Region. Premier 16 Silver has been happy to bring in Stevens' high-level experience for the 2024 campaign, and it's paying dividends in early-season action. This setter's relentless defensive pursuit and precise setting have been a positive influence that is sure to carry into the late-March grind.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349467"],"_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":"Dutcher has been a major catalyst for one of [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']' best offenses. 16 Navy compiled seven consecutive wins to kick off last month's ASICS Presidents' Day Classic, so there's a lot of credit to go around. But we can't leave out Dutcher's steady command of the offense at the setter spot. The Omaha Gross Catholic prep athlete is an unquestioned leader for 16 Navy and is developing an unspoken connection with her [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] teammates. It shows every time 16 Navy takes the floor.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["396745"],"_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":"Janke keeps racking up steady performances with Club Legacy. We saw her game-changing potential at last year's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament, which helped place Janke on our watch list. She earned several chances to guide the Omaha Marian offense last fall and thrived against tough Omaha-area competition. Janke's upward trajectory continues into 2024 after Club Legacy 16 Alpha compiled a 6-1 record at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic. This is a good omen for the upcoming slate of high-stakes tournaments.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ef9ef01d22e"} /-->