A Glimpse into the Future: Class of 2023
With many teams returning to the court for live action last weekend in the Nebraska Elite gym, I find myself with a renewed focus toward the future. Perhaps seeing volleyballs hit the floor serves as a moment of mental recalibration…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith many teams returning to the court for live action last weekend in the Nebraska Elite gym, I find myself with a renewed focus toward the future. Perhaps seeing volleyballs hit the floor serves as a moment of mental recalibration for those who love the game. It’s a peek at something that was missing for so long. I know some of you must share this feeling.
But, let’s return to this “future” theme for a moment. When I look at some of the young talent poised to make an impact on the Nebraska prep scene, there is probably no group in a better position to do so than the Class of 2023. While the athletes in the 2023 class may be relative unknowns who are just beginning their high school journeys, many players have already showcased the kind of skill and talent that will have coaches raving in the near future. In other words, you’d better learn their names soon enough.
Time to look at the stars of the future.
Playing Up
Among the many talented players in the Class of 2023 are some who play a step above their age group. Headlining this list is our #1-ranked player in the 2023 class, Karli Heidemann Karli Heidemann 6'1" | OH Diller-Odell | 2023 State #124 Nation NE . It’s no wonder why this star from Diller-Odell was elevated to VCN’s 16-1 squad, as she possesses a heavy arm swing that is mature beyond her years. Heidemann is set to leave her mark as an elite small-town prospect, quite like her Iowa State-bound sister, Addison.
Joining Heidemann on the VCN 16s team is Grace Baumert Grace Baumert 6'2" | OH Howells-Dodge | 2023 State NE , one of the most physical middles in the 2023 class. Baumert’s length and smooth attacks make it easy to forget that she’s a year younger than those around her. She is particularly proficient behind the setter and can crack the ball down with ease. With a few more years of prep training ahead of her, Baumert will only raise her stock further along the way.
Speaking of length in the middle, Nebraska Elite 16-1 has an emerging star of their own in Amanda Loschen Amanda Loschen 6'2" | MB Omaha Marian | 2023 State NE . Loschen has been a standout performer during Nebraska Elite’s recent return to the gym, which is a testament to her desire to improve during the past several months without organized volleyball. This middle’s calling card is her quickness, as her hard work in transition is incredible to watch.
NJV is no stranger to the “playing up” strategy, either, as they enlist the services of several 2023s for their 16s teams. Outside hitter Caitlin McCormack Caitlin McCormack 5'8" | OH Millard North | 2023 State NE is a strong talent on the 16 Red team. McCormack is a skilled six-rotation prospect who truly epitomizes an “all-around game”. Not only can she elevate and hammer balls at the net, but she plays tremendous backcourt defense that always keeps her team in system. McCormack is an intense competitor whose best days are yet to come.
NJV’s 16 Black roster is headlined by top-tier 2023 outside hitters Evan Glade Evan Glade 5'11" | OH Millard West | 2023 State NE and Gracie Woods Gracie Woods 6'0" | OH Grand Island CC | 2023 State NE . This pair is sure to develop into two of the best pin hitters in the state, as they have the strength and elevation to compete with Nebraska’s top teams. Their experience with older age groups has them ready for the big stage at a very young age. Don’t be surprised to see them take over the spotlight in short order.
Premier Prodigies
To the surprise of no one, Premier has a group of players in the 15s age group with insane potential across the board. Premier 15 Gold won a national title in 2019 as 14s, and it’s easy to see why. Where do you even start when talking about this team? Maybe you begin with Stella Adeyemi Stella Adeyemi 5'9" | OH Papillion-LaVista South | 2023 State #95 Nation NE , the high-flying outside hitter with impact potential in all six rotations. Or perhaps you look at Grace Heaney Grace Heaney 6'2" | RS Elkhorn North | 2023 State #33 Nation NE , the lefty opposite who combines a springy vertical with her heavy arm. Both of these attackers are obvious candidates for serious recruiting consideration at this time next year. Premier is also anchored by an elite libero in Makenzie Dyrstad Makenzie Dyrstad 5'7" | DS/L Papillion LaVista South | 2023 State NE , whose agility on defense and rock-solid passing shine in the backcourt. And, if you want my pick for biggest stock riser on this team, it’s middle blocker Alanna Bankston. Her length, along with her ability to move laterally to close a block, is a huge game-changer. With so many other talented players up and down that roster, this Premier team will continue to dominate for a long time.
Elite Talent
Take note of the fact that there’s another superstar-laden 15s team in Nebraska, and it’s in the Nebraska Elite gym. They’ve just proven their ability, too, taking home a championship in last weekend’s “Get Back on the Court” tournament. Nebraska Elite 15-1 is anchored by outside hitter Destiny Ndam-Simpson Destiny Ndam-Simpson 6'1" | OH Omaha Westside | 2023 State #37 Nation NE . While this is a feature exclusively focused on 2023s, Ndam-Simpson is one of the most explosive players in the state, regardless of class. If you haven’t seen her play yet, you’re missing out. She jumps out of the gym, and she’s already shown the six-rotation potential that will translate so well to the next level.
The talent doesn’t stop there. There are so many great players on this Nebraska Elite team who made the most of their return to the court this month. Samantha Laird showed some serious power from the left pin and in the middle, thereby proving her ability to play multiple positions across the net. Versatility is truly the hallmark of this team. Mya Casey can play defense and set, and Morgan Burke Morgan Burke 5'10" | S Skutt Catholic | 2023 State #132 Nation NE sets and hits on the right. Also taking huge swings in the middle were Haley Wolfe Haley Wolfe 6'2" | RS Elkhorn | 2023 State NE and Kensington TeKrony, along with Annie Millard on the right. Don’t forget the backcourt, either, because Olivia Mauch was stellar defensively and at the service line. I could go on. The bottom line is that this team could end up being a serious contender on the national stage in the years to come.
This is ultimately just a preliminary look at the talent in Nebraska’s Class of 2023. This group has so much more time to develop, and that means more opportunities for players to make themselves known. I look forward to the road ahead, which hopefully includes seeing many of you in person at the upcoming Prep Dig Omaha Summer Bash on July 17-18!