Nebraska’s Late-Season Stock Risers: 2027 Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the stars of the future—and the present.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 has already been a historically successful year for Nebraska's 15s age group. We have a trio of Open-qualified teams accompanied by a host of other GJNC-bound squads. The Class of 2027 is delivering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our late-season stock riser series has addressed middle blockers from the 2025 and 2026, but we haven't explored the up-and-coming 2027s yet. And, based on our intro, we have some big-time contributors to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group didn't take long to get accustomed to the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458060"],"_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're starting up in the 16s age group with a tall talent that has to be on this list. Meyers has already racked up a hefty list of accomplishments while playing up a year with South Central NE 16 Black. She earned a spot on last year's GJNC all-tournament team while South Central climbed to the 15 Liberty podium. Meyers' dominance has continued in 2024, and she does a lot more than you'd expect from most middle blockers. 16 Black allows her to swing on either pin for clutch sideoutsu002du002da strategy that usually leads to instant success. Look for this extraordinary athlete to make another title push at this year's Nationals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521222"],"_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":"Nebraska Elite 15 Prime put several new 2027s on our radar this year. One of those was Hatz, a shutdown middle blocker who can also make her mark as a scoring threat. We saw Hatz' role expand during the late-season qualifier grind, particularly at Kansas City's Show Me Qualifier. 15 Prime leaned on Hatz to terminate on first-ball situations and in transition, making her an all-around threat along the net.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["521271"],"_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":"Williams can play any position in the front row but has recently found her stride at middle blocker for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black. The Lincoln Southeast prep athlete has developed an impressive attacking repertoire, which includes some assertive swings off of one foot. 15 Black also allows Williams to channel her pin-hitting experience to hit on the left side in certain rotations. Keep an eye on this Star City standout.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["521300"],"_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":"Samuelson is a multi-sport star whose presence on the volleyball court has been a huge boost for Club Legacy 15 Alpha. She got several starting opportunities last fall with Omaha Concordia and proved to be a formidable weapon from the middle. Now, we're seeing that translate to the club stage as Samuelson puts in reps with Club Legacy. More gains are on the way this fall.","_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='591597' first='Katie' last='Baldwin']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"South Central NE 15 Black","_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":"Let's go back to the South Central NE gym and address a middle blocker from the 15s camp. Baldwin made an instant impression as South Central NE 15 Black clawed through last month's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Her physicality was a game-changer every time she rotated in. Baldwin showed some impressive footwork to make herself a setting target and was quick to set up her approaches. We'll now see more small-town stars get their shot on the national stage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["521245"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black is ready for its Las Vegas trip, especially with players like Scribner catching fire late in the season. Whenever 15 Black gets a good pass, you can bet on Scribner becoming a factor in front of the setter. She brings a balance of quickness and strength that posed plenty of matchup problems throughout the 2024 campaign. That helped yielded an MEQ triumph that leaves [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] with multiple bids in the 15s age group.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["521161"],"_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":"Kelsay is a true wildcard player for Premier 15 Black. She has seen ample opportunities to shine at both middle blocker and right-side hitter, giving 15 Black a ton of lineup flexibility in the front row. The team's 2024 results speak for themselves as Kelsay and 15 Black have accumulated multiple title appearances at national qualifiers. Kelsay will find her way into the GJNC spotlight no matter where she finds herself in the starting rotation.","_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":"Ellie Bradley","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 15 Navy","_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":"We're including another Iowa prep player in our Nebraska features. So be it. Bradley represents Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, a school that has shipped so many talented players to Nebraska clubs. This up-and-coming middle blocker seized a leading role in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 15 Navy offense and had impressive stints on the left side, too. Regardless of position, Bradley is poised to climb the ladder in Iowa's growing prep landscape.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["521183"],"_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":"Here's another one for the Premier Nebraska tally. Eck brought her best for the GPR Bid Tournament as 15 Red won its way to a Nationals bid. Look out for the heavy heat that this Millard West product brings to her swings. Not only does Eck drive through the ball well, but she also has the vision to see around opposing hands and find an open seam. In-system offense is becoming one of 15 Red's greatest assets.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["521289"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Nebraska Juniors has a knack for bringing middle blocker talent to the forefront. Goodwin stood out as 15 Black navigated a tough schedule at last month's Show Me Qualifier. She has also seen success against Great Plains foes at the Midwest Power League, where Goodwin has racked up several notable performances in the kill column. This middle blocker's stock is due to rise further as we turn toward the high school season.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663e68f59d656"} /-->