More Underclassmen Climbing Nebraska’s Hitting Efficiency List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game-changing attackers don't have to be seasoned veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've closely watched Nebraska's stats leaderboard throughout the 2024 high school season. Hitting efficiency has been a major focus area as we look to identify which athletes are terminating at high clips throughout the Cornhusker State. As we approach the end of the regular season, we are shocked by how many underclassmen have risen in this attack percentage list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which underclassmen are making a surprise charge up the leaderboard? Here are a few of our picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521226"],"_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-670069aa2be6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Petersen's progression with Elkhorn High School has been fascinating to follow. She earned some starting experience as a freshman last fall but has seen her production skyrocket in Year 2. This dynamic middle blocker has racked up over two kills per set on a 0.342 clip in 2024. It's one of the most dramatic year-over-year improvements we can find on Nebraska's stat sheets, so the future is looking up for this Nebraska Elite standout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458174"],"_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-670069aa2bed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Homolka revealed her massive potential when she competed at our summer Stock Up Showcase in La Vista. We watched this Central City native carve up opposing defenses during team drills, and that turned out to be a precursor to Homolka's fall success. She is putting down a whopping 4.3 kills per set on a 0.245 average to lead the Bison to a 17-5 record. Homolka's all-around production has made Central City a dangerous team as we race toward Class C1's district action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458168"],"_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-670069aa2bf17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson has been under the microscope since she was a freshman last year. Now, the sophomore middle blocker is going after back-to-back tournament appearances with Malcolm. She has recently eclipsed triple-digit terminations in the 2024 campaign and is putting up a solid 0.225 hitting percentage. When the Clippers nail a good pass, Johnson is a safe bet to swing in any of her frontcourt rotations. Her range has expanded in Year 2 as Malcolm navigates a challenging Class C1 slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["453482"],"_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-670069aa2bf58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sidlo's versatility continues to amaze us. She started her prep career as a show-stopping middle blocker with Lincoln Lutheran as the Warriors stormed to their third consecutive state championship. Then, Sidlo took on a setter role with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] during this year's club season. That brings us to this year's high school season, where Sidlo has made big gains as a right-side hitter and is hitting 0.212 on the season. Her offensive output has risen past two kills per set, giving Lincoln Lutheran the necessary balance to make another title push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458123"],"_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-670069aa2bfa2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lauenstein had a stellar freshman season with Waverly, but she has separated herself as a go-to leader as a sophomore. Her hitting efficiency has climbed over 100 points compared to her 2023 average--good enough for a 0.298 clip on the outside. This rise has come in conjunction with Lauenstein's increased attacking volume to a substantial 3.6 kills per set. Waverly's sophomore star can fill up every conceivable corner of the stat sheet, giving the Vikings more postseason aspirations this November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='737375' first='Bridget' last='Marotz']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Winside","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670069aa2c059"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On to the freshmen. Winside High School has produced some big-time attackers lately, and Marotz is the next in line for this northeast Nebraska school. Her 0.331 hitting percentage leads all Nebraska freshmen who are regular starters for their respective teams. Marotz is maintaining this sky-high clip while also leading the Wildcats with 3.1 kills per set and carrying a significant backcourt role. This freshman can do it all, and she's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='737382' first='Devyn' last='Young']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hay Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670069aa2c0f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young is another name that has jumped onto our radar over the past few weeks. In just 29 sets, Young has amassed triple-digit kills on a 0.306 percentage. She leads the Hawks in hitting efficiency and average kill volume, giving this small-town powerhouse an exceptional boost this fall. Hay Springs has put up a 10-3 mark so far and can look forward to further gains in the Class D2 race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='737386' first='Adara' last='Fowlkes']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Omaha Gross Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670069aa2c1a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omaha's vast talent footprint keeps growing. Fowlkes has had an extraordinary debut season with Omaha Gross Catholic and is putting down 2.3 kills per set on a 0.254 clip. Aside from her attacking, Fowlkes' natural blocking ability is clear when watching the Cougars on film. This long, rangy middle blocker is often tasked with facing attackers one-on-one, but that doesn't stop Fowlkes from generating game-changing touches at the net. Her physical dominance ought to continue as her technical skills continuously improve with the Gross Catholic program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->