Mary Bahle Mary Bahle 5'5" | DS/L Omaha Westside | 2027 State NE is elevating her game through technical precision and defensive discipline. In serve receive, her platform is quiet and controlled — she sets her angle early, keeps her shoulders square to target, and absorbs both float and topspin serves without overcorrecting. She doesn’t chase the ball; she beats it to the spot. That balance allows her to consistently deliver hittable passes and keep tempo intact in structured offensive systems.

Defensively, Bahle separates herself with anticipation. She reads the hitter’s shoulder and approach path before contact, positioning herself proactively rather than reacting late. Her digs are controlled, not scrambled, which gives her team the ability to transition cleanly instead of simply surviving the rally. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

What we expect to see this weekend: Bahle commanding serve receive lanes and providing steady, high-efficiency first contact in tight 17/18 Open battles.

Bahle is one of many Nebraska Elite athletes who have upped their game while representing different teams from year to year. The 2026 season could be Bahle’s big break with Nebraska Elite’s top 17s squad. 17-1 sparred with NLQ’s ever-challenging 17 Open division, allowing Bahle to showcase her defensive prowess against the nation’s top offenses. And, speaking of showcase, Bahle was a big-time performer at one of last year’s Prep Dig Circuit events, too. To round everything out, Bahle’s poise under pressure reached a new peak during Omaha Westside’s postseason push in the Class A bracket. Few Nebraska 2027s have enjoyed such a meteoric ascent.

Bahle didn’t bat an eye when she took over the libero spot for one of Class A’s emerging powerhouses. Rather, this 2027 prospect channeled her exceptional spring season with Nebraska Elite and got even better as Omaha Westside’s defensive anchor. Bahle had some of her best moments during the epic semifinal bout with Lincoln North Star, as she compiled a team-high 20 digs and dished out a clutch ace early in the match. We’re already looking forward to seeing what this stock-rising junior can accomplish in 2026.

Nebraska Elite brought the heat at every position. Bahle was the clear defensive leader for this year’s Nebraska Elite 16 Surge squad, which enjoyed several deep runs at major events. Last year’s showcase circuit revealed Bahle’s passing prowess in the backcourt and her quality second contacts as a step-in setter. All of these traits helped 16 Surge produce another memorable showing at AAUs, and Bahle is quickly distinguishing herself in a stacked group of Omaha-area liberos.

Nebraska Elite 16 Surge boasts an exceptional floor general at the libero position. Bahle knows how to position herself to make a play and meshes well with her fellow 16 Surge defenders. This Omaha Westside sophomore exhibited great finesse and ball control during the third Midwest Power League, propelling her team to a runner-up finish in the 16 Club division. Further breakthroughs are on the way.