Introducing the First Nebraska Class of 2029 Watch List

So it begins.   There's nothing like the debut of a new watch list. Dozens of new names join our player database and usher in the next wave of can't-miss athletes. Last fall's high school season offered a small glimpse at Nebraska's Class of 2029, and we couldn't be more excited for the future.   Let's start the conversation. This introductory feature will cover all the storylines, trends, and important reminders on this first step of our Class of 2029 journey.     Stacking the Deck   We have over 140 athletes on our first 2029 watch list. It's a start.   As mentioned in our opener, much of this list is gleaned from the select few starting freshmen from the 2025 high school campaign. It's tough to be a varsity starter in Year 1, so we always have to temper our expectations for the first release. Still, we have some bona fide stars in the mix right away.   What about positional distribution? Unsurprisingly, outside hitters pace the group with just shy of 50 athletes having some kind of OH designation on their profile. It's a simple numbers game with pin hitters making up the biggest portion of any volleyball roster. We'll see how the balance shakes out as we add more names to the list.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/IMG_8822-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-933206" style="aspect-ratio:1.499814945661317;width:358px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Labedz competes at last summer's Prep Dig Freshman Showcase.</figcaption></figure>   Perhaps the most notable positional trend here is the volume of setters making their watch list debut. We have 36 setters on this list--far more than we were bargaining for when we began compiling names. You'd think this number would be lower with many teams favoring a 5-1 system. Moreover, commanding an offense is often seen as a task for seasoned veterans with a wealth of leadership experience. Freshmen are defying the trends.     Showcase Memories   This update finally gives us a chance to bring past showcase standouts into our Nebraska database.   We'll surely expand on this throughout the week as we break down the watch list in greater detail. But, just as a preview, the 2029 watch list features a medley of players who participated in our December Exposure Tour or last summer's Prep Dig Freshman Showcase.   All positions are represented. We won't soon forget the high-flying pin performances from players like [player_tooltip player_id='775763' first='Fallyn' last='O'Connell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='815053' first='Lucy' last='Labedz']. The middle blocker spot is stacked with stars like [player_tooltip player_id='850372' first='Marianna' last='Zephier-Murphy'], [player_tooltip player_id='903351' first='Madison' last='Collingsworth'], and [player_tooltip player_id='896272' first='Berkley' last='Gerdes']. Showcase breakthroughs were key to kickstarting our scouting report.   We were already hyping up the setters in the last section, and the past showcase stars appear here, too. [player_tooltip player_id='765196' first='Sofia' last='Meister'] and [player_tooltip player_id='847923' first='Andie' last='Blomenkamp'] were exceptional distributors on the circuit last year, and both made an immediate impact for their respective Class A programs. The club season should further their ascent.     Small-Town Ascendants   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/52-Mia-Sherbeyn.jpg?w=798" alt="" class="wp-image-915086" style="aspect-ratio:0.7800853218320754;width:230px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sherbeyn</figcaption></figure>   These initial watch lists help reveal which small-town programs are building a foundation for the future.   Several rural high school programs have multiple representatives in this freshman group. We could start all the way in the panhandle, where Gering reached the Class B tournament through the all-around prowess of [player_tooltip player_id='789881' first='Adriana' last='Canales'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932973' first='Finley' last='Rotherham']. That's some high-level experience that will pay dividends in the coming years.   Other postseason participants join Gering on the list. Adams Central boasts a wicked 2029 duo with [player_tooltip player_id='848124' first='Elle' last='Goracke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932957' first='Kinlee' last='Hinton']. Ansley-Litchfield gets in on the action with [player_tooltip player_id='932965' first='Jenna' last='Holm'] and [player_tooltip player_id='850117' first='Taryn' last='Cole'].   And the list goes on. We're particularly excited about the setter-hitter duo emerging at Valentine, where [player_tooltip player_id='932993' first='Devahney' last='Belville'] and [player_tooltip player_id='907289' first='Mia' last='Sherbeyn'] are finding their groove. Crawford High School is also assembling a 2029 crew with [player_tooltip player_id='932977' first='Ada' last='Norman'], [player_tooltip player_id='932999' first='Kylee' last='Osmotherly'], and [player_tooltip player_id='932990' first='Leah' last='Holmgren'] on the docket.     Next Steps   So, where do we go from here?   Of course, all eyes go to the club season. The 15s circuit will reveal so many more stars we didn't get to see last fall. Nebraska's high school stage is stacked with veterans, so we're eager to see the 2029s get their share of the spotlight.   This could necessitate a quick midseason update to the watch list. We'll be compiling rosters, updating scouting reports, and working on our database behind the scenes. Our first ranked list will take some time, but we'll find the right spot to make it happen.   Welcome to our newest era.

So it begins.