Nebraska 2027 Watch List Athletes on the Rise this Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're due for a watch list check-in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's Class of 2027 still has a lot of time for development, gains, and lasting impressions at the prep level. That's especially true for players on our <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2027-rankings/">watch list</a> who are on the cusp of jumping into the rankings. Becoming an upperclassman can often be the catalyst toward taking that step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's peruse the 2027 watch list to find a few players making a strong case to join the rankings this fall. Our next update is quickly approaching, making this a valuable first step in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too late to become a stock riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773433"],"_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-68dd6b3af2a61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Osceola High School has soared up the Class D1 hierarchy after a 13-2 start, so we inevitably have some Bulldog standouts to evaluate for our rankings. Bartling sets the tone for the junior class and leads the team with 2.9 kills per set this fall. Perhaps her most impressive strides have come in the efficiency category, where Bartling has improved her attacking percentage by nearly 0.200 compared to last year. Her effective, error-free brand of volleyball puts Osceola in a spot to make some postseason noise later this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735077"],"_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-68dd6b3af2aec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Class A's talent pool is not limited to Omaha, Lincoln, or even eastern Nebraska. North Platte always dishes out notable names from out west, and Burke has filled that niche in 2025. This high-flying outside hitter recently traveled to a stacked LPS Classic event and added to her impressive 2.7-kill-per-set campaign. Burk is also a primary passer in North Platte's serve receive pattern, adding to her repertoire as a six-rotation force. The Bulldogs have a clear leader for this year and the next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773366"],"_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-68dd6b3af2b58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbus Lakeview has returned to the championship-contending form we've come to expect from the Vikings. This powerhouse squad knows how to spread the wealth in the frontcourt, but Helms also has takeover potential when it's needed most. She's putting down 2.4 kills per set while also stacking clutch digs in the middle-back area. Helms and her high school squad came together during this year's club season for a special spring with Lightning 17-1. That experience is quickly translating to the prep stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498981"],"_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-68dd6b3af2bc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lot has changed in the Humphrey-Lindsay area over the past couple of seasons, but Hake's rock-steady play has remained a constant. The junior middle blocker has enjoyed a huge uptick in attacking volume while hitting at a 0.269 clip along the net. Humphrey-Lindsay isn't afraid to look to Hake for a quick sideout or a momentum-building swing in transition. Her numbers will continue to escalate through the final October grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728658"],"_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-68dd6b3af2c2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbus Scotus had huge shoes to fill in the backcourt after last year's tournament appearance. Krienke has helped soften that blow by providing over two and a half digs per set for the Shamrocks. We've also been impressed with the junior's willingness to step in as a secondary setter during scramble situations. Krienke's past appearance on the Prep Dig Circuit was a worthy prelude to her junior surge at Scotus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499007"],"_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-68dd6b3af2c92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Licking has been running the show at Mullen High School for a while, so perhaps her rankings entrance is overdue. The junior setter earned starting reps in her debut season with the Broncos and has consistently elevated her game since. Licking is dishing out 7.4 assists per set for Mullen, culminating in a 12-5 record before October's slate. Class D2 is wide open with teams like Mullen ready to gain ground in the next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735271"],"_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-68dd6b3af2cf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elgin Public/Pope John has not lost any momentum since its unexpected run to the 2023 semifinals. Rather, upperclassmen like Martinsen are getting even better. This experienced terminator has upped her scoring average by over a kill per set this year, putting out 2.9 kills per set for the Wolfpack this fall. Martinsen is in the running for the team lead in digs, too. Six-rotation talents are often game-changers on the small-town scene, and Martinsen will be that player for EPJJ this October and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458148"],"_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-68dd6b3af2d60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's add one more rural gem with tournament experience. Wiedel's multi-position influence has been part of a multi-year renaissance for Thayer Central, last year's Class C2 runner-up. She has primarily been the Titans' leading setter throughout her career, but 2025 has produced Wiedel's best performances yet. She has accumulated 9.5 assists per set to go along with her sky-high dig numbers as a right-back defender. Thayer Central lost some outstanding athletes from 2024's team, but the Knights have kept charging en route to a 13-0 record this fall. Wiedel is determined to reenter the Lincoln spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->