Road to June 15th: 2027 Defenders Peaking in 16s Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska has to have some recruitable liberos, right?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been jumping around the state's Class of 2027 to highlight as many athletes as possible leading up to June 15. The start of open contact between college coaches and rising junior prospects is only a week away, so our series rolls on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday's feature covered "tall talents," so we should move to the other end of the spectrum: the "littles." Standout liberos have always been a staple of the Nebraska prep scene and have made next-level impacts at all divisions of collegiate volleyball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring out a few names for those recruiting radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458186"],"_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-6844d6bd209dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schroeder has been in the top tier of the 2027 rankings since the list's inception. She made an instant impression during her 15s debut as she helped Nebraska Elite secure a 15 Open championship at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Schroeder makes difficult digs look effortless, allowing Nebraska Elite 16 Apex to churn out transition swings in the front row. The Bennington native will keep racking up quality reps this fall with one of Nebraska's emerging volleyball powerhouses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458130"],"_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-6844d6bd20a54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Find a libero who can do almost anything. It might be easier to list the positions Schuerman <em>hasn't</em> played during her prep career. The Wilber-Clatonia starter has seen reps as an outside hitter, setter, and defensive specialist. Her backcourt prowess has taken precedence with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black, which rolled to a GJNC bid at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Schuerman is primed to sustain her elite play in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458161"],"_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-6844d6bd20aba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While we're discussing multi-dimensional liberos, we might as well bring Fettin into the conversation. Our first look at Fettin came during last year's 15s season, where she played a medley of DS and outside hitter roles. Fettin's natural athleticism makes her a fit for both roles, and she can go pass-to-attack with ruthless efficiency. She joined [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy this year and has been the team's "wildcard" player in the starting rotation. Even if Fettin is playing exclusively across the back row, look for this Papio standout to take swings behind the three-meter line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521156"],"_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-6844d6bd20b1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacobson somehow keeps raising the bar. She exploded onto the 15s scene last year by clinching an early Nationals bid with Premier Nebraska 15 Black. One year later, this Millard South sophomore is still anchoring the back row and has become even more confident along the end line. Jacobson consistently gets a step ahead of off-speed shots and has patrolled 16 Black's "campfire" throughout the club season. Expect a few more milestones before 2025 is done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521233"],"_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-6844d6bd20b81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black reinvented much of its starting lineup for this year's club season, but Twarling was one of the vital constants. She returned to a core group of athletes that made a deep run in last year's 15s GJNC. Twarling can play any position across the back row but has thrived in the contrasting jersey for 16 Black. She delivers accurate first touches as a floor defender and has become an unquestioned leader in the serve-receive pattern. Another high-stakes trip to GJNC awaits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735216"],"_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-6844d6bd20bec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's run it back with one of last fall's small-town stars. Tietjen was the focal point of Thayer Central's relentless defensive identity--all the way to the Class C2 championship match. The sophomore defender piled up nearly five digs per set last year and was an unflappable passer for the Titans. Tietjen's performances on Nebraska's biggest prep stage cemented her stock-riser status in the 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->