Omaha Outsides: Powerful Pin Hitters to Watch in Douglas County
Unsurprisingly, there has been no shortage of talent to come out of the Omaha metro over the years. Big-time players from the big city have gone on to make an impact at college programs of all levels. The competitiveness of…
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Continue ReadingUnsurprisingly, there has been no shortage of talent to come out of the Omaha metro over the years. Big-time players from the big city have gone on to make an impact at college programs of all levels. The competitiveness of prep volleyball in Omaha and its surrounding suburbs undoubtedly prepares players for the rigors of a collegiate schedule. This is part of what makes Nebraska’s high school volleyball athletes so intriguing to college recruiters.
I started thinking about all the elite pin hitters from the Omaha area. The kind of outside hitters that even balanced teams ride from time to time. In Douglas County, there’s a lot of notable players who fit this description. This article will spotlight these names.
This feature only includes athletes from high schools within Douglas County, meaning that the Omaha suburbs of Papillion, LaVista, Gretna, and Bellevue will not be included. But do not despair, Sarpy County, as your time to shine will be coming soon. Note, too, that I will also be writing regional features of other positions soon.
Now, it’s time for the hitters:
Lindsay Krause – 6’3 OH – Omaha Skutt Catholic – Premier 17 Gold – Class of 2021 (Nebraska Commit)
There’s perhaps no superlatives I could use to describe Krause that would do justice to her talent and her accomplishments. The Skutt outside hitter, who committed to the powerhouse Cornhuskers before even becoming a Skyhawk, has done just about everything in her prep career. She helped lead Skutt to Class B titles in each of her three years with the school, extending the Skyhawk’s overall title streak to five in a row. Krause has taken her talents across the Atlantic, too, winning a gold medal with Team USA at the U18 World Championships in Egypt last September. She’s had coaches in awe of her ability for a long time now, as she has the kind of athleticism and size that you just don’t see every day. I could go on, but her success truly speaks for itself.
Daubendiek
Mary Claire Daubendiek – 6’1 OH/RS – Omaha Marian – Premier 17 Gold – Class of 2021 (George Washington University Commit)
A club teammate of Krause, Daubendiek is the kind of southpaw opposite that all coaches wish they had, and GWU is happy they landed this Marian product. “MC” put down almost 200 kills for the Crusaders last season, and the way she elevates at the right pin makes her an unstoppable force. She excels at working around the block, seeing any space between the block and the antenna. It should be no surprise, then, that Daubendiek has a killer line shot. Her block is good enough to shut down even the best left sides, and her well-rounded game is sure to serve her well when she moves on to the next level.
Madilyn Siebler Madilyn Siebler 6'0" | OH Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE – 5’10 OH/RS – Omaha Westside – Nebraska Elite 16-1 – Class of 2022
Siebler is an athlete who turned some heads at the President’s Day Classic in February. Don’t think about writing her off as undersized, because you need to watch her jump. She just springs off the floor. It’s incredible. Her swing blocking on the right pin is so natural, as she hangs in the air and stuffs anything sent her way. Siebler’s approach on either pin is fast and explosive, contacting the ball at the very peak of her huge vertical. Her backcourt defense is spectacular, too. She has the speed and agility to pick up hard-driven balls in middle-back. Folks need to pay attention to Siebler, as she will only get better as her career progresses.
Maddie MacTaggart Maddie MacTaggart 5'10" | OH Millard South | 2022 State NE – 5’10 OH – Millard South – Premier 16 Gold – Class of 2022
MacTaggart was a standout performer for a strong Millard South team last season. She had 283 kills on .216 hitting from the left pin in 2019, and she made some major contributions in serve receive and defense. When she’s in the front row, she takes an incredibly long, gliding approach toward the left pin, driving a ton of momentum into the ball. Her explosiveness is amazing, and she brings a ton of hustle to all aspects of her game. MacTaggart looks like a great six-rotation prospect that Nebraskans ought to keep an eye on.
Grace Heaney Grace Heaney 6'2" | RS Elkhorn North | 2023 State #33 Nation NE – 6’1 RS – Elkhorn – Premier 15 Gold – Class of 2023
Heaney is a force of the future. Her ceiling is extraordinarily high, and so is her monster vertical jump. Another lefty opposite training in the Premier gym, Heaney already has the length and range to dominate the high school game. Here’s your obligatory reminder that Heaney only just finished her freshman year of high school. This southpaw attack can hammer the ball, which is what she did often during her first year at Elkhorn, putting up almost 200 kills. She has great swing blocking technique and reads opposing hitters well. Heaney is already a great player, and future development will surely lead recruiters her way.
Other Names to Watch:
Addie Thomas – 5’10 OH – Elkhorn – Banzai 17 Max Select – Class of 2021
Taniya Golden Taniya Golden 6'0" | OH Omaha Northwest | 2022 State NE – 6’0 OH – Omaha Northwest – Starlings – Class of 2022
Ellie Dougherty Ellie Dougherty 5'11" | OH Omaha Mercy | 2022 State NE – 5’11 OH – Omaha Mercy – Banzai 16-1 – Class of 2022