Under-the-Radar Gems Who Surprised Us at Nebraska Exposure Tour

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's one thing we love most about covering Prep Dig Showcases, it's pleasant surprises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Events like last weekend's Nebraska Exposure Tour can be seen as big learning experiences--in multiple ways. Players adapt to a new environment with unfamiliar teammates, but that's not the only growth happening on the court. As scouts, we're seeing athletes progress and show us things we haven't seen before. Many showcase participants are landing on our radar for the first time, making the trip even more valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here's a medley of athletes who made a big first impression or took us aback with their meteoric rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486890"],"_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-6930e565973bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've been privileged to see Fogelstrom at multiple showcase events, so her consistent improvement has always been in the spotlight. She's an all-around asset who has shouldered roles as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist throughout her prep career. Fogelstrom thrived in both phases at last weekend's showcase and will be an immediate impact addition in the Banzai VBC gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527141"],"_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-6930e56597466"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our Exposure Tour had a stellar group of [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] gems. Cooper will compete with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Lime this spring after she flexed her six-rotation prowess in a fast-paced environment. She had several productive offensive outings with Lincoln High this fall, but Cooper's precise first contacts surprised us most at the Exposure Tour. Make good use of this 2027 prospect in the serve-receive pattern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768169"],"_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-6930e565974e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This isn't our first St. Paul mention of our post-event coverage, but the Wildcat discussion wouldn't be complete without Klinginsmith. The high-flying middle blocker dazzled us with her lateral quickness at the net and her tireless hustle in transition. These traits helped Klinginsmith produce nearly 200 kills on a 0.247 clip, and it's scary to think she could reach even higher in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904102"],"_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-6930e56597558"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had quite a small-town crew in Elkhorn. Strickland exhibited her setting finesse at the Exposure Tour and was willing to adjust to a diverse cast of attackers. She carried the banner for Maxwell High School, a program building a track record of winning seasons on the rural circuit. Look for more personal growth from Strickland as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896272"],"_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-6930e565975ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Look out for Papio South's next wave of frontcourt talent. This year's Class A champs could lean on Gerdes to contribute in the middle in the very near future. Her length and physicality let her square up with anyone across the net at the Exposure Tour. Gerdes pairs that with effortless elevation off two feet, making her a daunting matchup for any opposing blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790623"],"_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-6930e5659763d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stocks are soaring for Rihanek heading into 2026. Her successful club tenure with Nebraska Juniors 15 Red revealed her ability to tee off in the middle or on the right. This positional versatility is exactly what we'd expect from a Nebraska Juniors standout, but Rihanek raised the bar further at Saturday's outing. Her strength at the net will be a future asset for Lincoln North Star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910773"],"_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-6930e565976af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's our chance to shout out ENVY, one of the newest volleyball clubs in the Omaha circuit. This emerging group has plenty of defensive talent to rally around, with Hotz leading the way in the Class of 2028. We were impressed with her well-rounded ball skills last weekend, both as a passer and a secondary setter in out-of-system situations. The Bellevue area keeps piling on names to know in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909200"],"_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-6930e56597722"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029s had a major opportunity to surprise us, as we still have a lot to learn about this up-and-coming freshman class. Heim gave us plenty to think about after she showed off her burst and agility during positional drills. We also got a sample of Heim's willingness to go pass-to-attack as a frontcourt hitter. She joined a slew of club teammates prepping for the 2026 campaign with Nebraska Elite 15-1, and we can't wait to see how far the team can climb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->