Bauer’s consistent development has provided the little extra boost that VCNebraska 16 Black needed. The team narrowly missed out on bid-clinching treks in 2025, but Bauer was determined not to miss out this time. She thrived on the NLQ stage while making further eye-popping plays at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Bauer wields her length effectively and runs diverse routes in first-ball situations. Grand Island Northwest’s stacked lineup will be eager to welcome Bauer back to the fray this fall.

We can’t forget about the 16s scene, which has plenty of high-impact 2029s playing up a year. Bauer helped engineer VCNebraska 16 Black’s bid-earning weekend at NLQ and was an ever-present force in the middle. Her physicality has been a big hit at various venues, including our Prep Dig Showcase circuit. Bauer has added some serious slide termination to her repertoire, allowing 16 Black to open up its offense in two-hitter rotations. Expect this Grand Island Northwest star to keep racking up accolades while preparing for GJNC.

Bauer has given us plenty of early highlight moments to cement her spot on the watch list. She has already made multiple stops on the Prep Dig Circuit, exhibiting her unmatched power and strength in front of the setter. Bauer also brought her well-rounded game to Grand Island Northwest’s lineup last fall, tallying about a kill per set on a 0.223 clip. This driven athlete will reinforce the growing pipeline between GINW and VCNebraska this spring. It’s a combo that’s sure to deliver again in 2026.

How about another pin-middle hybrid from the Class of 2029? Bauer joined us from Grand Island, adding to some spectacular central Nebraska representation in Elkhorn. She has already made an impression in the VCNebraska gym, and Bauer added to her ledger with some efficient offensive production for the Vikings. This will be a player to watch heading into 2026, especially with VCNebraska middle blockers gaining momentum across the board.

Grand Island Northwest leveraged a lot of youthful leadership this fall, and Bauer was a critical piece of that puzzle. She ranked among the most efficient Viking terminators in her debut season and did even more damage as a shutdown blocker. Bauer’s long, physical frame immediately set the tone at our summer showcase, and we’re excited to see how she has progressed before transitioning back to VCNebraska .

Bauer has already made her mark on various stages, so her emergence on the prep side is no surprise. This high-flying frontcourt attacker stood out with VCNebraska 15 Elite, which upgraded its GJNC bid multiple times throughout the 2025 campaign. We then reconvened with Bauer at our Prep Dig Freshman Showcase and watched her physicality flourish. That leads to her freshman outing with Grand Island Northwest, where Bauer’s is putting up the team’s third-best blocking total and a 0.223 hitting percentage on the offensive end. The Vikings will pull talent from any class in pursuit of their postseason return.

The Class of 2029 has already made waves at VCNebraska . Bauer was one of many 2029s competing with VCNebraska 15 Elite, and this year’s results validated the move. Bauer’s efficient work in the middle led to a multi-bid season for 15 Elite and a fruitful trip to Dallas for USAV Nationals. Even while enduring a flurry of reps at the Freshman Showcase, Bauer’s durability and grit stood out.