We’re heading out west. Canales made the cross-state trek from Gering to Elkhorn for our Exposure Tour showcase, and we’re so glad she did. This elite defender is getting used to Nebraska travels after she launched Gering High School into last fall’s Class B state tournament. Her whopping 553 digs turned the tide for the Bulldogs, and Canales has been equally influential with WyoBraska Sky’s 16s crew. The team has piled up tournament wins while crossing into the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain scenes. Her skills apply to any venue.

Put simply, Canales was Nebraska’s most productive freshman libero last fall. She piled up over 550 digs during Gering High School’s extraordinary climb to the Class B tournament. Reaching the postseason was a huge milestone for Gering’s growing panhandle powerhouse, and Canales is already a major contributor to the effort. Not only did she pack the stat sheet with game-changing digs, but Canales was a steady force in the serve-receive pattern who helped the Bulldog offense flourish. Her club journey takes her to WyoBraska Sky’s 16U squad.

Let’s stay in the panhandle a little longer. Canales produced an eye-popping 5.2 digs per set for Gering High School, helping the Bulldogs reach the state tournament among a field of Class B juggernauts. Canales also trekked to this month’s Nebraska Exposure Tour and continued her ascent among 2029 liberos. This savvy defender will continue her prep journey with WyoBraska Sky on the club side.

Gering High School was a popular discussion topic this fall after the Bulldogs broke into the Class B tournament as one of western Nebraska’s top squads. Canales aided this renaissance with a team-high 5.2 digs per set in her debut season. It’s a high mark for a freshman, but Canales keeps demonstrating her willingness to improve and become even more productive. She took another step in that process at Saturday’s showcase and was a consistent ball control asset in six-on-six drills.

Gering made its long-anticipated entrance into the Class B tournament this fall, and Canales was a clear catalyst for pushing the Bulldogs to the next level. She immediately seized the team’s libero role and piled up a whopping 552 digs during her debut season. That relentless pursuit set up Gering’s lethal transition offense, and the wins kept piling up. Even when faced with a Class B powerhouse like Norris in the opening round, Canales demonstrated the poise and leadership needed at Nebraska’s highest level of prep competition. That’s a good omen for more postseason success.

Gering High School’s spectacular junior outside hitters have drawn a lot of attention, but there’s even more talent lurking in the Class of 2029. Canales boasts a whopping five digs per set to bolster the Bulldogs’ penchant for long rallies. Of course, Canales’ strong passes also help Gering deliver the first-ball sideouts needed to stay ahead of the curve. Class B remains a gauntlet, but Gering is in the hunt.