<p>Nate Mongan has been coaching Premier 18 Gold for a while now, so when he says this year’s version of the squad can compete nationally, he knows what he’s talking about.</p>
<p>Mongan, who also serves as an assistant coach at Midland University, likes what he has seen thus far from his group.</p>
<p>“Premier 18 Gold has the athletes to compete well in the region and nationally. We have many multi-sport athletes, with many players participating in high school basketball. We have the fire power in the front row to be a strong net play team,” he said. “Serve receive and serving will be a strong skill set of this team. Many of the primary passers on Premier 18 Gold are high school pass/dig leaders for their respective class.”</p>
<p>Mongan also said he likes the fact that his players come from successful high school program where winning – and having a winning mentality – is the norm. His squad will need that mentality with a schedule that includes playing in the Omaha President’s Day Tournament, Northern Lights January Thaw, Show Me Qualifier and Colorado Crossroads Qualifier.</p>
<p>At setter, Premier 18 Gold has Arkansas Tech recruit <strong>Delaney Saucier</strong> of Skutt Catholic and one of the team’s main defensive specialist is Omaha recruit <strong>Kenzie Michalek</strong> of Papillion-LaVista while <strong>Reahgan Stueve </strong>of Missouri Valley High School in Iowa will also serve as a defensive specialist.</p>
<p><strong>Taliyah Flores</strong>, a North Dakota libero recruit from Papillion-LaVista South, is one of the top all-around players in the state and will be a staple in the back row as well as playing outside hitter. Also on the outside will be Midland recruit <strong>Brooke Fredrickson</strong> of North Bend and <strong>Lauren Bair</strong> of Clarinda High School in Iowa.</p>
<p><strong>Sydney Fitzgibbons</strong>, a Washburn recruit from Papillion-LaVista, is in the middle for Premier 18 Gold while Millard West junior <strong>Hailey Petersen</strong>, Skutt Catholic junior <strong>Syd McDermott</strong> and Illinois-Chicago recruit <strong>Clara Lamb</strong> of Omaha Westside are the candidates to fill the other middle position or opposite spot.</p>
<p>Players on the Premier 18 Black team are as follows. <strong>Haley Alharithy</strong> of Omaha Concordia, <strong>Karli Eckert</strong> of Papillion-LaVista, <strong>Taylor Heinen</strong> of Elkhorn South, <strong>Claire Larson</strong> of Millard South, <strong>Elyse Splichal</strong> of Bellevue West, <strong>Gabby Armour</strong> of Omaha Concordia, <strong>Hailey Folkers</strong> of Millard North<strong>, Jada Key</strong> of Millard West and <strong>Ava Macke</strong> of Omaha Roncalli.</p>
