Which Nebraska 2028s Stepped Up to Earn GJNC Bids? (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore beat goes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week's coverage has been all about Nebraska's Class of 2028 as we peruse the <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/" id="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2028-rankings/">newly updated rankings</a>. But, right before this big release, we started a conversation about some 2028s who lifted their teams to recent <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/03/which-nebraska-2028s-stepped-up-to-earn-gjnc-bids-pt-1/" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/03/which-nebraska-2028s-stepped-up-to-earn-gjnc-bids-pt-1/">bid-earning triumphs</a>. With multiple high-stakes qualifiers ongoing, this feels like a good time to revisit that chatter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, before we potentially add even more Great Plains teams to our bid tracker, let's highlight a few more 2028s who excelled on the nation's biggest stages. And, unsurprisingly, many of these names just made significant leaps in our rankings, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779001"],"_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-69d0559895b71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Osborne embodies the versatility, adaptability, and competitive grit that have made Club Legacy 16 Alpha a multi-year qualifier champion. The Bennington sophomore commands one of 16 Alpha's setter spots and maintains the up-tempo precision that makes the team unstoppable. This "unstoppable" superlative sounds excessive, but Osborne and her team rolled in Minneapolis en route to a GJNC bid. Her rise in the rankings was an easy choice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739707"],"_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-69d0559895c27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Piening is back at it again. Stepping up in big moments has become par for the course for this middle blocker. Her 0.400-plus hitting efficiency helped Norris hoist its second-straight Class B title last fall, and that was just the beginning. Piening has brought multi-position versatility to [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy and took part in the squad's long-awaited Open breakthrough at NEQ. Ascending an age group has never slowed her progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774910"],"_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-69d0559895c7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of middle blockers playing up a year, Rink is another can't-miss 2028 who has made her mark on the 17s scene. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite was one of our earliest entries on the Nebraska Bid Tracker after January's podium climb at NLQ. Rink was not satisfied with one bid and followed that with a "double qualification" in Philadelphia. This Lincoln Southwest gem has expanded her shot range and is one of the most explosive slide hitters in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym. That alone will keep her near the top of our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575226"],"_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-69d0559895cce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liekhus has become an indispensable part of [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite's stacked frontcourt crew. Her quick footwork and tireless transition effort make her a constant scoring threat in front of the setter. Defensive contributions have also escalated, as Liekhus consistently generates positive block touches to help 16 Elite get ahead in rallies. Middle blocker depth will be on full display when [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] takes the whole band to Indianapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774611"],"_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-69d0559895d1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of course, VCN's 2028 excellence extends far beyond the middle blocker spot. Stutzman has raised the bar for the club's sophomore setters, especially after 16 Black completed the NLQ "trifecta" in 16 Liberty. No matter which system 16 Black wielded in Minneapolis, Stutzman was ready and eager to contribute as a leading distributor. She is never afraid to set against the flow and force her middles while off the net, leading to several one-on-one chances for her attackers. Look for Stutzman to be a foundational component of Lincoln Standing Bear's rise on the Star City prep scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575232"],"_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-69d0559895d67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Callahan could be considered Premier Nebraska 16 Gold's do-everything "wildcard" player. She has compiled an impressive highlight tape as an outside hitter, producing heavy crosscourt heat on the left side. However, Callahan has distinguished herself further as an elite defender who makes first touches look effortless. She absorbed tremendous service pressure at the Mideast Qualifier and set the stage for 16 Gold's Open berth in Indianapolis. This summer's return trip to the Hoosier State will be a big one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575218"],"_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-69d0559895dc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">16 Gold's defensive unit deserves even more credit. Whaley has added to the first-contact excellence from this crew and can slot into any zone along the end line. Her influence has also been felt on the prep side, where she has become a wicked server and defensive specialist for Ashland-Greenwood. We are constantly taken aback by Whaley's ability to sub in and immediately change the ball control dynamic of a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->