17 Elite’s 2028 influence expands at the middle blocker spot. Bauer has been rising to prominence ever since Lincoln Southeast’s breakout berth in last year’s Class A tournament. That fall season highlighted Bauer’s strength as a pin hitter, but she shifts over to the middle for VCNebraska . It’s a worthy move for one of Nebraska’s most physically imposing prospects in the Class of 2028. Bauer thrives in front of the setter and carves indefensible angles on the quick. She also participates in the wide array of crossing patterns that VCNebraska is known to deploy. Last weekend’s podium push was another big step in Bauer’s months-long ascent.

Bauer took the next step in her meteoric development last fall, and Lincoln Southeast notched new milestones as a result. We were already acquainted with Bauer’s strength as a middle blocker in the VCNebraska gym. She established herself as a terminal hitter who thrived on quick sets. However, Bauer used last year’s high school season to exhibit her wicked arm as an outside hitter. The Knights dished out slower tempos that allowed Bauer to score over the top of well-formed blocks. She piled up 4.4 kills per set en route to LSE’s first postseason berth since 2017, so we had to reward Bauer with a rankings boost.

Of course, we have to give a nod to the hosts. Lincoln Southeast has earned some impressive early-season victories to climb the Class A hierarchy, and Bauer’s quick right arm has loomed large throughout. The VCNebraska middle blocker shifts to the outside for the Knights, where she’s putting down over four kills per set with a team-leading 0.255 hitting percentage. This new role has also presented us with Bauer’s ball control skills from the back row–a surprising wrinkle for one of the state’s most physical 2028s.

Even the sophomores are embracing leadership roles in the Star City. Bauer, who has been a go-to middle blocker in the VCNebraska gym, is pacing Lincoln Southeast’s offense as a pin hitter this fall. The move allows Bauer to pile up as many swings as possible, and she’s paying that off with 4.2 kills per set on a sky-high 0.276 attacking percentage. This top-ranked 2028 prospect has the length and reach to dominate at the net regardless of which position she’s playing. We’re about to see several examples of that as Bauer competes with the Knights.

VCNebraska has never been afraid to mix and match classes to find the right combinations for its top teams. Bauer’s towering presence makes her an ideal choice for VCN 16 Elite, a squad that has squared up with Open powerhouses throughout the year. 16 Elite allows Bauer to demonstrate her incredible range and contact point, leading to kills in front of the setter or on the slide. This Lincoln Southeast freshman also generates transition opportunities for her team with quality block touches. Bauer’s complete game will remain in the Class A spotlight this fall, and her development has only just begun.

Yes, we’re sticking with the 16s for one more 2028 star. Bauer was identified as a player to watch heading into NIT, and she delivered on the hype as VCNebraska 16 Elite broke into the final Elite bracket. This long, rangy middle blocker hits incredible angles in front of the setter and has added some impressive slide attacks to her repertoire. Playing up with the 16s is no problem for Bauer, who has the physicality and quick reading skills to compete with high-powered offenses. This Lincoln Southeast prep athlete adds to a growing list of standout middle blockers in the Star City.

We have a lot of scouting to do for the Class of 2028, and we can’t forget about the athletes playing up a year. Bauer captures attention every time she steps on the court, so playing up is no big deal for this Lincoln Southeast freshman. She explodes off the floor and can bounce the ball before opposing defenders can react. If VCNebraska 16 Elite gets in-system opportunities, Bauer is a clear setting target.

Bauer has been on our radar for a while. She played up a year with VCNebraska last spring, so we got a glance at Bauer’s potential while we were still figuring out the Class of 2027. This long, rangy athlete made her mark as a middle with VCN and earned outside hitter reps with Lincoln Southeast last fall. Bauer’s sky-high contact point makes her an ideal fit for either position, even if she’s still playing up a year on the club circuit. VCN 16 Elite will lean on their 2028 star to put away plenty of balls in front of the setter.