Nebraska's Uncommitted 2027s Soaring after NLQ (Pt. 2)

We have unfinished business.   The Class of 2027 has taken a large portion of the early-season coverage spotlight, and there's good reason for our renewed emphasis on this group. Nebraska has so many recruitable 2027s to see on this spring's club circuit, and NLQ was the first major proving ground for many of these athletes. We already highlighted some uncommitted gems in <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/nebraskas-uncommitted-2027s-soaring-after-nlq-pt-1/">Part 1</a> of this series, but there's always room for more on our big board.   So, let's grow the list.    Every prosperous Nebraska Juniors team needs its star libero, and Ward has filled that niche for 17 Black. We've seen Ward's precise passing in a showcase environment, but this junior has demonstrated plenty of backcourt command on qualifier stages. NLQ provided another entry in that narrative as Nebraska Juniors 17 Black marched to the final 17 American bracket. Ward was stout in the serve-receive pattern and eagerly took up space in the middle-back area. Minneapolis could be the launching point for further growth among Nebraska Juniors' best 2027 prospects.     There's little that Kroll hasn't done in the past several months. She lifted last year's [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black group to a GJNC bid while running a 5-1 offense around the dial. Then, Kroll piloted Lincoln North Star to Class A's No. 1 seed in the school's best-ever season. She remains the signal-caller for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black and capitalized on the team's daunting Minneapolis slate. Kroll reminded us of her knack for getting every hitter involved and forcing her middles while off the net. 17 Black is at its best when Kroll takes chances and spreads the ball around regardless of the circumstances. That's the hallmark of a show-stopping setter.     We identified Rands as a player to watch heading into NLQ, and much of that hype was based on her performance at the Great Plains Region Gold Series. Rands dished out a smooth offense for Banzai VBC 17 Power while providing ample physicality as a wing blocker. She's ready-made for a 5-1 system and is never afraid to establish herself as an attacker on the second contact. This Millard North junior has raised the bar for Banzai VBC's compelling cast of 2027s.     Bahle is one of many Nebraska Elite athletes who have upped their game while representing different teams from year to year. The 2026 season could be Bahle's big break with Nebraska Elite's top 17s squad. 17-1 sparred with NLQ's ever-challenging 17 Open division, allowing Bahle to showcase her defensive prowess against the nation's top offenses. And, speaking of showcase, Bahle was a big-time performer at one of last year's Prep Dig Circuit events, too. To round everything out, Bahle's poise under pressure reached a new peak during Omaha Westside's postseason push in the Class A bracket. Few Nebraska 2027s have enjoyed such a meteoric ascent.     Like Bahle, Hilderbrand has adapted to various Nebraska Elite teams, lineups, and rosters. It's a testament to the Gretna native's willingness to compete and contribute no matter who is on her side of the net. She is a surefire leader for this year's Nebraska Elite 17 Surge squad and helped the team notch another Gold appearance in Minneapolis. Hilderbrand's six-rotation influence fits the balanced style that 17 Surge brings to the court. In other words, this left-side attacker can find ways to make a positive impact aside from putting away balls in the front row. This might not be the last time we see Hilderbrand and 17 Surge in title contention this season.     Part 1 of this series introduced one new addition to the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black lineup, so let's bring on another. Sidlo's prep journey has taken her from middle blocker to opposite to setter, and seemingly everything in between. She stepped into the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym and took the reins of 17 Black's setter spot, allowing Sidlo's distribution and leadership to shine at NLQ. The Lincoln Lutheran prep star can command any system and leverages her physicality well as a frontcourt setter. 17 Black learned a lot in Minneapolis and will apply those reps to the next big qualifier trek.     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy's roster is full of do-everything "utility" players, and Bowman undoubtedly fits this description. The Grand Island Northwest junior has made her mark as a game-changing setter on the prep side, putting up massive assist numbers for the Vikings each fall. However, Bowman has a variable niche with 17 Synergy and can contribute to any ball control phase. Her passing and defensive skills have flourished with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'], whether she subs in off the bench or wears the contrasting jersey. Bowman has that rare combination of precision and finesse that has propelled [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] into the national landscape, and last weekend's 17 Open journey was a great start.

We have unfinished business.