Early Trailblazers Among Nebraska’s 2025 Middle Blockers
Yes, it’s early. The Class of 2025 is still developing, and we’ll be discovering plenty more spectacular talents within this group in the coming months and years. Even still, it’s already looking like Nebraska’s 2025 class might be spearheaded by…
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Continue ReadingYes, it’s early. The Class of 2025 is still developing, and we’ll be discovering plenty more spectacular talents within this group in the coming months and years.
Even still, it’s already looking like Nebraska’s 2025 class might be spearheaded by a big field of elite middle blockers. We’ve already seen a variety of middles make a big impact in high school and club, and they’re just getting started. The future of volleyball in the Cornhusker State is in good hands, and it starts with these 2025 middle blockers.
Let’s review a few of the players that have really stood out this year.
Terrific Tandems
Great middles sometimes arise in pairs — and on the same team. These club teammates have already made a splash this year at that position.
We’ve talked a lot about the middle blocker duo of Natalie Wardlow and Lexi Hasselbalch for Nebraska ONE 15 Synergy, one of the most exciting 15s teams in the state right now. I love how many offensive opportunities these two get in any given match, and some of that has to do with the superior ball control that 15 Synergy has demonstrated in 2022. Of course, Wardlow and Hasselbalch are also two great hitters that you want to get in the action as much as possible.
No power pool, no problem!@We_are_NEONE 15 Synergy is moving on to the Round of 16 in the Elite bracket! #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/7shnaXj7lc
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 21, 2022
Premier Nebraska 15 Gold has also gotten good production this year from the effective tandem of Elle Heckenlively Elle Heckenlively 5'10" | OH Gretna | 2025 State NE and Madelyn Roenfeld. Last fall’s high school season was particularly memorable for Heckenlively, who showed everyone early on how well she can attack at the net.
Nebraska Elite, meanwhile, has found success with a lot of different middle blocker permutations across its 15s teams. 15 Mamba features any combination of Ellie Brown, Liv Odvody, and Laynee Baker. Each of these athletes provides the size and quickness to make a big impression on any stage. On the other side of the gym, Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix boasts the impressive combo of Kiera Link Kiera Link 6'1" | MB Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE , Ava Stone Ava Stone 6'0" | MB Elkhorn South | 2025 State NE , and Rilyn Gish Rilyn Gish 5'10" | MB Millard North | 2025 State NE that I discussed in an earlier feature on this team.
More Quick Hitters
Here are some quick notes on other middle blockers that are rising up the ranks in Nebraska’s Class of 2025.
- McKenna Smith McKenna Smith 5'9" | OH Wahoo | 2025 State NE is a quickly developing middle for VCNebraska 15 Elite who always seems to make big plays at the right time. She will see plenty of great competition on the high school side, too, so her stock should continue to rise.
- Taryn Ottemann Taryn Ottemann 6'0" | MB Johnson-Brock | 2025 State NE is yet another strong middle blocker that is coming up through the Johnson-Brock area. Her club performances for Nebraska Juniors this year have put her physicality and potential on full display.
- Keep an eye on some of the middle blocker talent that Premier Nebraska 15 Black is bringing to the fold this year. Lainey Bosiljevac has been excellent in the M1 spot for 15 Black this year, and Lydia Dix has made some strides in her game, too. This 2025 class is deep, and we’ll have plenty more middles to cover before the club season is over.