Which State Tourney Standouts Climbed in Nebraska 2026 Rankings?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska has several big stages for athletes to make an impression, but the state tournament might be the best of all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/">Nebraska Class of 2026 rankings update</a> has arrived, and it features upward movement from several of the state's best fall performers. Most of these players shined in the postseason, too, so we're throwing it back to last month's volleyball gauntlet in Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These names ascended the 2026 rankings after bringing their best with a title on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253923"],"_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-675b86bc8020d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had to include this newly minted Class D2 champion on our stock-riser list. Branson led the Bulldogs with 5.2 kills per set during the 2024 season and was somehow even more productive in the postseason. Her eight kills per set in the quarterfinal bout against Stuart set the stage for the best volleyball of Branson's career. This dynamic outside hitter was the catalyst for a historic title run and has developed as a six-rotation force on the small-town scene. The upcoming club season should bring a few more moments for Branson's highlight reel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675b86bc8026e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sullivan is another gem from the South Central NE pipeline who took a big step forward as a junior. She has made her name as a terminal middle blocker but has also scored on the left side for Hastings St. Cecilia. This versatility yielded nearly three kills per set and a 0.324 hitting clip as the Bluehawks clinched an upset berth to Lincoln. Sullivan thereby makes her debut in our Top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["292243"],"_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-675b86bc802b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bartling elevated her greatness through this year's state tournament. She averaged about three kills per set during the regular season but upped those numbers considerably when Elkhorn South traveled to Lincoln. The high-flying left-side hitter put down 19 terminations as the Storm secured a straight-set quarterfinal win over Fremont. Bartling followed that up with another double-digit output in a sweep over Grand Island. She soars to No. 14 on our list heading into her debut club season with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''], and we can't wait to watch this new pairing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396767"],"_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-675b86bc8030b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Haarberg name has defined excellence at Kearney Catholic for a while. This year's team leaned on its junior outside hitter en route to the state tournament, keeping the Stars' postseason streak alive. Haarberg's numbers skyrocketed to over three kills per set and three digs per set in an expanded six-rotation role. Her quickness and athletcism were a perfect fit for a Kearney Catholic team that valued speed over physicality. 2025 should be a big year for Haarberg in multiple sporting arenas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["497420"],"_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-675b86bc80352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cone stepped up this fall to give Pierce a true 1-2 combination at the outside hitter spot. She terminated 3.5 times per set and posted a pair of 18-kill performances against Milford and Wahoo at the state tournament. Cone's explosiveness off the floor gave the Bluejays a constant scoring threat in out-of-system situations--the hallmark of a tough tournament team. Pierce will be back in the title hunt with Cone returning to the fray once more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275961"],"_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-675b86bc803cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wattier did a little of everything for Norfolk Catholic this year. She has always held a setter-hitter hybrid role with the Knights, but Wattier's numbers escalated considerably in 2024. Her 3.5 kills per set marked a career-best, and she added four assists per set to her ledger, too. This multi-sport athlete has flourished in the Nebraska Juniors gym and remains one of the state's most fascinating do-everything prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275969"],"_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-675b86bc80408"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beekman has proven her willingness to do anything necessary to help Diller-Odell win. She was primarily an attacker during her first two years with the program and compiled triple-digit kills in each of her underclassman campaigns. As a junior, Beekman switched to the setter spot and racked up an impressive 9.4 assists per set while leading the offense. Her poise and location are rare for someone changing up the scenery in Year 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->