Storylines from the Latest Class of 2023 Rankings
It’s time to talk about the 2023s. Allow me to convince you that the future of Nebraska prep volleyball is very, very bright. In case you missed it, we’ve just released our rankings update for the Class of 2023 as…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time to talk about the 2023s. Allow me to convince you that the future of Nebraska prep volleyball is very, very bright.
In case you missed it, we’ve just released our rankings update for the Class of 2023 as we inch closer to the start of high school action. I figured this would be a suitable occasion to talk about this group of young players which, as I’ve said before, is one of the most exciting classes to come out of the Cornhusker State in the last several years. The message here is simple: learn these names now, because you’re looking at the stars of the future.
Elite Teammates, Elite Talent
When club teams around the region returned to the court in late June, Nebraska Elite’s top 15s team stole the show with their championship-caliber level of play. It should be no surprise, then, that this talented squad is well represented in our newest 2023 rankings. It all starts with the player who now occupies the top spot in the class, Destiny Ndam-Simpson Destiny Ndam-Simpson 6'1" | OH Omaha Westside | 2023 State #37 Nation NE . This insanely athletic, high-flying outside hitter from Bellevue West made the absolute most of her time in the spotlight during the shortened club season. She’s number one for a reason. Her unlimited potential and unmatched skill have begun to attract attention from well beyond Nebraska’s borders. Watch out for Ndam-Simpson.
Let’s not forget the other pin hitter which helped engineer NE Elite’s summer success, Samantha Laird Samantha Laird 6'0" | OH Omaha Westside | 2023 State #171 Nation NE . Laird surges up into the top ten of our 2023 rankings after showing remarkable effectiveness at both middle and on the left. Her heavy arm and elevation are just hard to handle. She will surely succeed at whatever position she plays heading into the future, and that will make her an exciting prospect to follow. The deadly combination of Laird and Ndam-Simpson automatically makes Nebraska Elite 15-1 a serious contender on the national stage.
Now, throw in the excellent setting and right-side hitting of Morgan Burke Morgan Burke 5'10" | S Skutt Catholic | 2023 State #132 Nation NE , and you’ve got nothing short of a superstar-laden club team. It’s hard to decide whether Burke is better at attacking or running an offense, because she is incredibly proficient at both. This rising talent will make a name for herself in the NE Elite gym, as well as with her powerhouse high school program, Omaha Skutt.
New Faces and New Places
Because 2023s are only just beginning their prep careers, any rankings updates are bound to come with significant shuffles and a lot of new additions. Our latest rankings reflect that.
Alanna Bankston Alanna Bankston 6'1" | MB Millard West | 2023 State #68 Nation NE , for example, makes her debut appearance in the top ten after having a breakout performance during this year’s club season. This physical middle blocker cannot be overlooked on her uber-talented Premier 15 Gold team that includes lefty opposite Grace Heaney Grace Heaney 6'2" | RS Elkhorn North | 2023 State #33 Nation NE and springy outside hitter Stella Adeyemi Stella Adeyemi 5'9" | OH Papillion-LaVista South | 2023 State #95 Nation NE , both of whom also find themselves in the top ten. Bankston’s lateral quickness and imposing length warranted her dramatic rise up the rankings, and she likely won’t be the only player to make a similar climb as we continue to update our lists.
A couple of other names have seized the spotlight after some impressive play at last month’s Prep Dig Omaha Summer Bash.
Jenna Jakubowski Jenna Jakubowski 5'8" | OH St. Paul | 2023 State NE appears to be the next outside hitter to take the reigns of a high-powered St. Paul offense. Like her older sister, Josie, this 2023 outside hitter plays a loud game. Her swings just have a different sound. However, she has also shown her ability to take over a primary passing role for her team, and that will surely elevate her stock in the seasons to come.
Jess Hudson Jess Hudson 6'2" | MB BDS | 2023 State NE , too, was a dominating force at the Summer Bash for her BDS team that has recently been reassigned to Class D1. The Eagles will be serious contenders in their new division, and that has a lot to do with Hudson’s play on the right pin. Getting past her block is particularly challenging. Hudson has a chance to flourish on a very talented and experienced squad, which will only serve to boost her stock even more.
One Final Note
I wanted to break off from the rankings analysis for a moment to articulate a thought that has been lingering in my head for a while. Call this an advice column, perhaps.
As we race toward the start of the high school season, it’s important to acknowledge the obvious fact that things won’t be the same this year. Omaha Public Schools has delayed the start of athletics until at least the second quarter. Lincoln Public Schools, meanwhile, has limited attendance of sporting events to immediate family. With this in mind, if you take nothing else from this article, I hope you remember this one thing:
Maintaining an online presence has become more important than ever.
This includes maintaining updated highlight film, sharing live stream links when they’re available, and just giving general updates on how things are going. I will try my hardest to see as much in-person volleyball as I can, but it’s important to recognize that we are all constrained by tough circumstances. Because of these circumstances, providing updates and resources to scouts and college recruiters is going to be incredibly helpful moving forward.
I’m excited for the road ahead.