There’s something about a libero being the emotional leader of a team. That’s what we saw from Gutz during VCNebraska 15 Black’s memorable 2025 season. Gutz brought infectious on-court energy as 15 Black scratched and clawed to Gold brackets and a postseason appearance. We got a glimpse of Gutz’s skills when she competed on the Prep Dig Circuit, but this year has completely overhauled her scouting report. This first-year starter at Lincoln East will have more to gain in Year 2.

As we consider our first set of 2028 rankings, Gutz has to be among the top liberos in her class. The Lincoln East prep athlete formed the emotional center for VCNebraska 15 Black’s breakout 2025 season. Liberos aren’t often the ones to take that leadership initiative, but Gutz is not an ordinary defensive specialist. Her pinpoint first contacts helped lift 15 Black to the postseason stage, and the highlight moments continued in Dallas. We feel incredibly fortunate to have athletes like Gutz visit the Prep Dig Circuit.

Few 2028s have matched Gutz’s incredible range and on-court energy, but this high-impact libero is still finding her ceiling with VCNebraska 15 Black. Her uncanny leadership skills shone during 15 Black’s run through the Show Me Qualifier, giving us the first glimpse at the team’s postseason potential. Gutz’s pinpoint passes have kept VCNebraska in a rhythm throughout the year, culiminating in a bid-earning breakthrough at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. 15 Black will now embrace its frontrunner status as a 15 American contender.

Gutz has quickly become one of our favorite 2028 liberos to cover. She is the emotional center of VCNebraska 15 Black’s lineup–a rare distinction for a defensive specialist. This exceptional libero is a natural leader whose uncanny instincts have kept 15 Black near the top of the Great Plains hierarchy. The next stop is GJNC, where Gutz and VCN can climb the national ladder, too.

Gutz immediately entered the varsity fray with Lincoln East and didn’t take long to find a rhythm in the Spartan backcourt. That breakthrough set a high bar for the 2025 calendar year, but Gutz is still thriving with VCNebraska 15 Black. She recently compiled an impressive highlight tape from the ASICS President’s Day Classic, which revealed Gutz’s relentless pursuit and uncanny defensive instincts. Her command of the left-back area should propel VCNebraska back into the national conversation this spring.

Gutz has already seen plenty of high-level competition on the club stage. She represented VCNebraska 15 Elite during the late-season grind and offered plenty of defensive spark off the bench. This agile libero can lock down any area in the backcourt and yields a tough serve behind the end line. Gutz is sticking with the 15s this year and will be a key cog in 15 Black’s ball-control offense–especially when Gutz dons the contrasting jersey.