Nebraska’s Late-Season Stock Risers: 2026 Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The series continues. We still have some voids to fill at middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This late-season stock riser series has marched along with plenty of positions and age groups represented. We've already covered some 2025s at the middle blocker position, but that still leaves a couple of important classes on the docket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about the 2026s? This group had a major say in the recent success of the Great Plains Region, so we're bringing them into the spotlight for today's feature. Update your recruiting radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396732"],"_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":"South Central NE 16 Black is at its best when it runs the middles. That's where we find Sullivan, a towering talent from Hastings St. Cecilia High School. Sullivan landed on our radar last year when she helped South Central reach the 15 Liberty podium at Show Me and GJNC. She followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign, but Sullivan is just getting started. Another Show Me triumph has 16 Black back in the Liberty race with Sullivan's physicality remaining a difference-maker in the frontcourt. This is one of Nebraska's most exciting small-town prospects.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["518588"],"_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":"Let's check in with the Lincoln scene. Becker's breakout 2024 season with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black has been a joy to watch. She's the ideal M1 who has become accustomed to terminating against more than one blocker. This Lincoln Pius X standout has a knack for carving inside opposing hands and denting the floor with her hard-angle shots. Being the M1 also always Becker to spread the offense on the slide. Last month's Show Me Qualifier was a perfect venue for Becker to display her prowess against top-tier competition.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["400728"],"_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":"Miller technically carries the banner for Iowa as a member of Audubon High School's volleyball squad. Allow us to bend the rules and include this Premier 16 Gold standout in the Nebraska camp. Her transformative frontcourt presence lifted 16 Gold to a bid-clinching performance at the Show Me Qualifier. Miller's strong block is supplemented by an equally assertive swing in front of the setter. A rigorous club schedule against Open competition has helped Miller reach a new level in 2024.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["298712"],"_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've had more time to marvel at Rowe's heroic performance at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite faced some unfortunate injuries in one of the biggest events of the year, but Rowe was determined to make up for the bad luck. She was challenged with major responsibilities at middle blocker and stepped up when 16 Elite needed it most. Rowe killed balls on the slide, sealed blocks from pin to pin, and provided much-needed stability along the net. Now, [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite can look ahead to GJNC.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349475"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy generated a lot of buzz this season, so let's give Garcia-Alvarez her due credit. She has seen increasing reps as 16 Navy's leading middle blocker, meaning Garcia-Alvarez also gets to showcase her line-drive serves. Of course, this Omaha South athlete does most of her work in the front row, especially on the 'gap' play away from the setter. Look out for the next wave of rising stars at [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'].","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["276195"],"_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":"Wingett has cemented her status as a go-to attacker. She can work with any tempo she's given, which is a reminder of her extensive background as a pin hitter. Still, Wingett was primarily a middle blocker for Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi and had some of the team's most eye-popping kills of the 2024 season. We're excited to see how Wingett embarks on her upperclassman stint with Millard North after lighting up scoreboards as a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["534457"],"_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":"Walz is one of several versatile athletes on the Banzai VBC 16 Select roster. She can either anchor the middle blocker spot or move to the right side to become a formidable wing attacker. The Great Plains Region Bid Tournament showed us the flexibility of 16 Select's mix-and-match lineup, and we'll see how Walz fits into future Banzai VBC squads.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["518608"],"_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":"Good transition digs gave Nebraska Juniors 16 Black the green light to get Gernstein involved. This physical middle blocker had some of her best moments in mid-rally situations with teams scrambling to get a good swing. Gernstein's quick footwork put her in ideal spots to terminate, and 16 Black did a great job of feeding their standout hitter. Grand Island Senior High has a future leader at this position.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["518580"],"_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":"We started this feature with South Central NE, so we'll close things out the same way. Nuss is one of many Sutton High School representatives with South Central NE and stood out with the club's 16 Red squad. She brings unmatched physicality and is not afraid to tee off on higher sets in front of the setter. The small-town scene is producing athletes who can perform on the national stage, and Nuss is a perfect example.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663d4ff73d144"} /-->