Nebraska 2028 Update: Can’t-Miss Athletes “Playing Up” (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's expand on this “playing up” trend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/">Nebraska 2028 watch list</a> update has arrived, and we've already published an <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/05/news-and-notes-from-nebraska-2028-watch-list-updates/">introductory feature</a> on this new wave of additions. That feature alluded to a large group of 2028 athletes playing up an age group in this year's club season. It's enough to warrant a separate feature as several new "overachievers" enter our player database.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an overview of some 2028 watch list players bringing an on-court impact beyond their years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555495"],"_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-682398ab4a23b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's well known that [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy bolstered its middle blocker position through the Class of 2028. Rautenberg captured everyone's attention after multiple dominant performances with Milford at last fall's state tournament. That postseason excellence carried over to the basketball court, too. No matter the venue, Rautenberg has exhibited her elite athleticism and willingness to compete with many of her older peers. She can go over the top of well-formed blocks and is one of Nebraska's most natural net defenders. Our 2028 rankings are on the horizon, and Rautenberg will be part of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739707"],"_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-682398ab4a29d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're sticking with the same team and position for our next entry. Piening has embraced her expansive role with 16 Synergy, especially after mid-season injuries shuffled the deck in the front row. This Norris freshman was a major contributor to the Titans' championship-winning effort in Class B last fall. Piening's quickness and versatility made her an ideal fit for the combination plays and crossing patterns that defined Norris's offense. She brings the same influence to 16 Synergy and is especially effective behind the setter. Expect to see a lot more of Piening later this year as Norris aims for a repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774910"],"_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-682398ab4a2e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Why not stay in the middle? The Rink name is surely recognizable to those who have followed the Lincoln prep scene for a while. This latest iteration locks down the middle blocker spot for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite and is the kind of athlete you want in the 'M1' position. Rink explodes off the floor and has one of the quickest arm swings in Nebraska's Class of 2028. This translates to some indefensible heat along the net, whether it's in front of the setter or on the slide. The family tradition of exceptional volleyball continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774904"],"_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-682398ab4a323"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solomon has been playing up an age group for multiple years, so the Papio South freshman has been on our radar for a while. This do-everything athlete plays the kind of setter-opposite hybrid role we'd expect from anyone in the Solomon lineage. Premier Nebraska 16 Black gets a masterful distributor and a go-to attacker out of one player--a rare privilege that has led to several awe-inspiring performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575234"],"_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-682398ab4a365"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janssen's club journey has been fascinating to follow. Last season, she played a pivotal role in lifting Premier Nebraska 15 Black to an early GJNC bid through the Northern Lights Qualifier. She changed venues for 2025 and has upgraded the front-row firepower for 16 Gold. Even with these new developments, Janssen has enjoyed the same outcome in 2025: a GJNC bid and a shot to demonstrate her skills at Nationals. This Gretna lefty is a high-flying opposite who is built for prominent stages, so Janssen will fit right in when 16 Gold travels to Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759472"],"_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-682398ab4a3a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kearney Elite 16-1's star-studded cast is mostly comprised of 2027s, but we can't forget about the Class of 2028 star operating on the left side. Williams exhibits a wide array of skills for her talented squad, so it's easy to forget she's playing up a year. Not only is she a leading terminator along the net, but Williams also handles ball control duties with tremendous precision and finesse. She thrives in the middle-back area and is also a backcourt attacking outlet on the pipe. Williams and her Kearney crew will keep gaining high-level experience on the Class A stage later this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->