Under-the-Radar Sophomores Starting Strong in 2024 Fall Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big year for the Class of 2027, and Nebraska's sophomore landscape is about to transform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not far removed from the release of our first <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2027-rankings/">Nebraska 2027 ranking</a>s. That list will expand exponentially as we gather more observations from the ongoing high school season. Under-the-radar sophomores are already emerging through the first handful of matches, so let's start the discussion early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which players are staking their claim as the next rankings risers in Nebraska's Class of 2027?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521273"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df84e5a157d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bowman is piloting quite a productive offense at Grand Island Northwest. This steady setter is dishing out over nine assists per set to lead her 2027 peers through early-season action. The club season was a good prelude to this success, as Bowman was a game-changing distributor for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black. GI Northwest's fall agenda is simple: start a new postseason streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500352"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d04172f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's check in on another of central Nebraska's can't-miss setters. Arnold leads a balanced attack at Kearney High School and has tabbed 6.8 assists per set through six matches. She has been especially successful in connecting with her middles, which remains a strong position group for the Bearcats. The Class A talent pool keeps growing with schools like Kearney flourishing in recent seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521300"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d041737c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuelson has proven her readiness for the prep spotlight. She had an outstanding club campaign with Club Legacy and was a standout performer at this summer's Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase. These milestones were a springboard into the Omaha Concordia starting lineup, and Samuelson has exceeded two kills per set from the middle blocker spot. Her high contact point has made Samuelson an ideal setting target for this year's resurgent Mustang squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521161"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d04173eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelsay made a big impression with Premier Nebraska as a do-everything middle-opposite hybrid. She brings the same presence to Gretna East and has had a big hand in the team's 7-0 start. Kelsay is averaging a 0.318 attacking clip and has been even more impactful in the blocking phase. Her 0.6 blocks per set anchors a formidable Griffin net defense that's good enough to contend in the Class B gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499003"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d041745c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redden is another Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase participant who has built so much positive momentum as a sophomore. She is hovering near the top of Nebraska's assists leaderboards with 9.4 assists per set during Wayne's 6-2 start. The Blue Devils lean on Redden in all six rotations, allowing the second-year setter to demonstrate her aptitude as a blocker. Wayne is vying for wildcard positioning already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498984"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d04174cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've heralded Shelton's enviable group of attackers, but let's give credit to those holding down the end line. Willis is generating over three digs per set for the Bulldogs to help set up the team's high-powered offense. Of course, the sophomore libero also produces pinpoint passes that can't be measured in a box score. Ball control will be the key to Shelton living up to its preseason hype.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499018"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d0417541"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harvard High School has produced some hidden gems over the years. Forney is one of those players who can wear a lot of hats in the Cardinals' lineup. She is a consistent scorer from the outside but has also hauled in a whopping 3.6 digs per set as a sophomore. These are solid numbers from the libero position, but Forney is getting it done as a hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498992"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d04175ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thiele is back to business at Bishop Neumann. Her exceptional freshman stats are bound to be repeated--or exceeded--in 2024. The sophomore outside hitter has accumulated 3.4 kills per set this season as the Cavaliers have navigated a challenging early schedule. Thiele has embraced this tough slate while also bringing six-rotations skills to the mix. It's a perfect storm for a special sophomore surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516370"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d0417615"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're wrapping up with two emerging stars in the Star City. Vohland impressed us when she competed with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black, a team that saw plenty of postseason success this summer. That has translated to strong offensive output with Lincoln Northeast, where Vohland is putting up over two kills per set so far this fall. Her well-rounded game will keep the Rockets in the conversation among their Lincoln rivals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521266"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df9d041767e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln North Star gets a nod here, too. McKernan was a dynamic scorer in the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] gym this spring and has retained her starting prep role with the Navigators. This physical middle blocker is on pace to easily surpass last season's 101-kill total. McKernan has registered over two and a half kills per set and has upped her hitting efficiency to 0.247. The rigors of Class A competition will be no problem for this high-flying attacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->