Nebraska 2028 Watch List Gems Soaring after State Tourney (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have more for that ever-expanding list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we shifted our post-tournament focus to the sophomores. The Class of 2028 had an extraordinary impact on this year's postseason results, and we learned a lot about this group's up-and-coming stars. As we look ahead to our next rankings updates, these high-profile performances will play a big part in which names get added to the hierarchy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/11/nebraska-2028-watch-list-gems-soaring-after-state-tourney-pt-1/">Part 1</a> already covered a handful of watch-list sophomores worthy of a rankings bump. We're not stopping there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737397"],"_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-691a26bae19d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Billeter has been part of this discussion before, but as a freshman. She took the reins of the Bartley Southwest offense last year and led the Roughriders to an undefeated regular season and a postseason berth. The sophomore setter replicated that tournament breakthrough with another Lincoln trek this fall. Billeter logged 37 assists and a colossal 26 digs during Southwest's back-and-forth quarterfinal affair with Overton, another powerhouse on the small-town stage. All this elite experience is piling up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737389"],"_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-691a26bae1a97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donohoe was the unquestioned leader for Mullen's offense this year--a rare distinction for an underclassman. She logged over three kills per set during the fall campaign and helped the Broncos reach the tournament for the first time in decades. This historic milestone has elevated Donohoe's greatness in a small-town circuit full of parity, chaos, and under-the-radar players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829996"],"_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-691a26bae1b32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This might have been a program-altering season for Dundy County Stratton, and having players like Lutz should keep the momentum flowing. The multi-talented outside hitter can play around the dial, giving the Tigers much more than just a go-to attacking option along the net. Lutz was also among the team's dig leaders in DCS's quarterfinal sweep over Garden County. Expect further upticks in production from this six-rotation mainstay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774696"],"_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-691a26bae1bca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muller's influence was all over Milford's Class C1 championship ascent. She generated clutch swings on the right side, particularly during her 12-kill performance in the quarterfinal win over Adams Central. We also got an in-person glimpse at why Muller was among Milford's toughest servers in 2025. Her high contact point and heavy heat produced ten aces in just three tournament matches in Lincoln. That'll get it done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877295"],"_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-691a26bae1c4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rust was identified as a player to watch when we previewed underdog performers before the start of the tournament. She paced the Warriors with four kills per set and gained steam after Red Cloud's exceptional run through district play. The uber-athletic pin hitter backed that up by leading the team again with nine kills in the quarterfinal showdown with top-seeded Wynot. Rust was willing to take tough out-of-system swings and get crafty with her high-hand tools. She has range beyond her years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774699"],"_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-691a26bae1caa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's scary to think that Freeman's 2028s will get even better after capturing this year's Class C2 crown. Otto returned to the tournament stage with the Falcons and leveled up her play at the outside hitter spot. She soared to a team-high 12 kills on a 0.524 clip in Freeman's semifinal sweep over Yutan, punching the team's well-earned ticket to the Devaney Center. The Falcons looked like a team determined to make amends for last year's postseason defeat, and Otto was at the center of the redemption tour.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->