It’s hard to imagine any athlete topping the kind of junior year that Volkmer had, but she looks poised to do it anyway. In short, she led Lincoln North Star to its best volleyball season in school history. Her 400 kills and vast backcourt contributions guided the Navigators to Class A’s No. 1 tournament seed and a trip to the state championship match. Volkmer is among the most electric outside hitters in Nebraska’s 2027 class, but she showed a different side to her game this spring with Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy. She frequently donned the libero jersey and used her ball control to get Nebraska ONE over the hump and into Open contention. A trip to the GJNC podium has bolstered Volkmer’s status as a do-everything star.

Are we allowed to include Volkmer in this group? After all, she was an elite outside attacker for top-seeded Lincoln North Star last fall. However, we’ve seen a new wrinkle of Volkmer’s game flourish as she has transitioned to Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy. This all-around superstar has frequently shoulder the team’s libero role in 2026, and the positive results have rolled in. We covered 17 Synergy’s runner-up finish in NEQ’s 17 Open division. Volkmer’s constant improvement and stability in the back row has changed the dynamic for this year’s crew and helped catalyze the triumph. If anything, Volkmer’s tenure as a libero has elevated her stock as an outside hitter, too.

What can’t Volkmer do? We know all about her lightning-fast arm on the outside, which has been particularly effective during Volkmer’s prep tenure with Lincoln North Star. She led the Navigators to their best-ever volleyball season last fall, but Volkmer is finding new ways to raise the standard in 2026. Her role with Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy can change from match to match. Volkmer has shouldered major ball control responsibilities at the Open level and even donned the libero jersey at Triple Crown NIT. Constant evolution and adaptation have elevated Volkmer’s stock further–and she was already an all-state performer.

Welcome to the Synergy crew. Volkmer spearheaded a tremendous 2025 season for Nebraska ONE 16 Black, and she kept the ball rolling by helping Lincoln North Star earn Class A’s No. 1 seed last fall. This high-flying outside hitter jumps up to 17 Synergy after earning some reps with the team during last summer’s postseason. Last weekend’s event revealed Volkmer’s incredibly diverse value in the starting lineup. She can slot into the middle-back area and pass dimes as a DS. Of course, opposing teams also have to keep tabs on Volkmer’s quick arm in any rotation. 17 Synergy has unlimited options.

Delainey was unstoppable in the HAC Tournament semifinal against Fremont, smashing 22 kills in just three sets while posting an outstanding .670 hitting percentage. Her precision and power at the net fueled Lincoln North Star’s offense and played a key role in their commanding win, showcasing Delainey’s dominance and reliability in high-stakes matches.

We’re starting with a super sub! You’ve likely been acquainted with Volkmer’s high-scoring style with Nebraska ONE 16 Black, a team preparing to compete at GJNC in Dallas. However, Volkmer stepped into Nebraska ONE 16 Synergy’s lineup for AAU Nationals and made the most of her time at the Open level. This Lincoln North Star standout produced innumerable clutch moments on the left pin, helping Synergy make a podium climb in Orlando’s toughest division. What a colossal step forward for this Lincoln-area 2027.

Indeed, we’re addressing two Lincoln prep stars with two similar-sounding names. We were eager to see how Volkmer would mesh with the new-look Nebraska ONE 16 Black team we’ve lauded in previous features. So far, so good. 16 Black claimed the 17 Open title at last weekend’s Power League with Volkmer receiving a steady dose of volume on the left side. The Lincoln North Star standout terminated with heavy heat but could also vary her shots to find the open floor. This regional success is a sign of things to come on the national stage.