Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings: #11-25
With the updated player rankings this week, we are taking a more in-depth look at the top 25 players from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes. The 2023 watch list was published earlier this week. Without any further delay, here…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the updated player rankings this week, we are taking a more in-depth look at the top 25 players from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes. The 2023 watch list was published earlier this week.
Without any further delay, here is a look at the players ranked #11 through #25 in the updated Class of 2021 rankings.
#11 – Peyton Neff, 5’8, Setter, North Platte (uncommitted)
There are three setters in the 2021 class that are already committed to Division I programs in Power 5 Conference schools, so Neff is often overlooked, especially since she is from the western part of the state, but her skill set is absolutely legit. She’s a tremendous athlete and leaper that is fully capable of running a 5-1 at the next level. She needs a little more time to develop her ball placement and consistency but her potential is extremely high.
#12 – Alexis Markowski, 6’3, MH, Lincoln Pius X (committed to South Dakota State for basketball)
Markowski drops out of the top five for no other reason than the fact that she has committed to play basketball in college, and since the rankings are a combination of present-day ability and potential for success playing volleyball in college, she had to slide down a little bit. Make no mistake, though, she can dominate a match in the middle and is an all-state level player.
#13 – Ellie Miller, 5’7, Libero, Omaha Marian (uncommitted)
Miller stepped into the starting libero spot at Omaha Marian in the midst of her sophomore season last year and more than held her own. She had a total of 16 digs in the Crusaders’ two state tournament matches last fall, and with the graduation of a few of Marian’s top passers, her role is likely to be bigger and more important this season.
#14 – Ray Joens, 6’0, MH, Elkhorn (uncommitted)
Joens brings a real physical presence to the net for the Antlers, and she led the team last season in blocks with 47, including four solo blocks in Elkhorn’s loss to Skutt Catholic in the Class B state quarterfinals last fall. She also had a team-high 12 kills in that match. She’s going to be a key piece in what should be an outstanding Elkhorn team this fall.
#15 – Brianna Stai, 5’11, MH, Norris (uncommitted)
What Stai lacks in terms of imposing size, she more than makes up for in her athleticism and with her lateral quickness and explosiveness. She’s tremendous off of one foot and she is able to get pin to pin quicker than a vast majority of middles. Stai also possesses a powerful arm and when she connects on the move she’s almost impossible to block.
#16 – Emily Kaup, 6’0, OH, Omaha Duchesne (uncommitted)
Kaup hasn’t had a breakout season in the high school ranks as of yet, but the potential is there for her to have one this fall. In limited action as a sophomore Kaup had 22 kills and 14 digs for the Cardinals while hitting .203 in 19 sets a year ago. Duchesne returns a good chuck of its team from last year, but with the graduation of one of the starting outsides from a year ago, the opportunity is there for Kaup to display her skill set.
#17 – Hannah Kepler, 6’0, OH, Milford (uncommitted)
Kepler is athletic and powerful and has the skill to be a very good outside at the next level. One of the best parts of her game is her ability to play under control and to be efficient with her attacks – which is a very underrated part of the game. She averaged less than three attack errors per match last season for the Eagles while recording a kill on 41.2% of her swings.
#18 – Brittany Wulf, 5’11, OH, Lincoln Southeast (uncommitted)
Wulf was the focal point of the offensive attacking for a 20-14 Lincoln Southeast team a year ago, and for good reason. Wulf took 31% of all the swings for Southeast a year ago and finished with 362 kills on a .245 hitting percentage. She started as a freshman and has a power arm. About the only thing keeping her from being a top 15 or 10 player is her height and how high above the net she plays.
#19 – Molly Ramsey, 5’2, Libero, Norris, (uncommitted)
Ramsey has been a starter for the Titans since her freshman season and averaged 4.7 digs per set while helping Norris to the state tournament last fall. In the state tournament quarterfinals against Omaha Duchesne last fall Ramsey had 15 digs and two aces serves. Ramsey is about as fundamentally sound as they come in the back row and can be a weapon from the service line as well.
#20 – Jill Collins, 6’0, MH, Kearney Catholic (uncommitted)
I’m looking for a real break out season for Collins this year for a Kearney Catholic team that should be one of the teams to beat in Class C-1. Collins is athletic, strong and has a quick arm and especially talented off of one foot.
#21 – Kylen Sealock, 5’11, OH, Lincoln Pius X (uncommitted)
With all the talented pin hitters Pius X has had in recent years, Sealock has been kind of stuck behind some good players, but Sealock should be able to step right in and fill the void left by some graduated seniors. She’s got a powerful arm and plays pretty high for a sub-6’0 pin hitter.
#22 – Sofia Bressani, 5’7, Libero, Omaha Duchesne (uncommitted)
Bressani is a silky-smooth athlete that came to volleyball a little later than most on this list but her athleticism has really translated well in the back row for Duchesne. In her first year as a starter last year as a sophomore, Bressani have more than 500 digs and serve receptions to go with 28 aces and 77 assists.
#23 – Emma Prentice, 6’0, OH/MH, Gretna (committed to North Dakota State)
Prentice just committed to North Dakota State earlier this month and she possesses outstanding athletic ability for her height. She led Gretna with 50 blocks as a sophomore middle last year and also had eight kills and a pair of blocks in Gretna’s Class A quarterfinal win over Millard West last fall.
#24 – MC Daubendiek, 6’1, RS, Omaha Marian (uncommitted)
Daudendiek wound up third on Omaha Marian in kills as a sophomore with 181 and fourth in blocks with 40. She has ideal height for a right side and is left-handed, which is obviously an advantage on that pin. In Marian’s two state tournament matches last fall MC had 22 kills and five blocks.
#25 – Gina McGowan, 6’3, MH, Nebraska City Lourdes (uncommitted)
McGowan is still very much a raw prospect that is getting better each season. She’s a much better blocker than attacker at this point in her development and while she would likely need a redshirt season at any level of college to get stronger and develop her footwork and mechanics, there is a lot of potential in her.