Club Preview: VCNebraska 18 Elite

<p>There is neither a shortage of players nor talent on this year’s VCNebraska 18 Elite team.</p> <p>Coached by VCNebraska club director and former Husker Maggie Griffin, VCN 18 Elite brings a load of successful experience at both the high school and club level.</p> <p>“This is a Dynamic group of kids looking to learn as much as possible to compete at the next level,” Griffin said. “They have a load of experience and talent that will help them compete at a high level. System, strategies, and analysis of their opponents will be a large part of their focus to help them prepare for college.”</p> <p>With a total of 16 players on the team, Griffin said is some tournaments the team will break into two separate teams.</p> <p>One player VCN 18 Elite won’t have – at least initially – is Player of the Year in Nebraska and Creighton recruit <strong>Jaela Zimmerman</strong> of Malcolm. The 6’3 outside hitter suffered an injury playing basketball and her return date is still to be determined.</p> <p>Defensively, VCNebraska 18 Elite has a pair of Midland University recruits in <strong>Maggie Sempeck</strong> and <strong>MacKenzie Sempeck</strong> of Millard West and Elkhorn South all-stater <strong>Riley Newton</strong>.</p> <p>At the setter position, VCNebraska 18 Elite has several options with multidimensional players like Wayne State recruit <strong>Rachel Walker</strong> of Lincoln Southwest and Midland University recruit <strong>Bree Burtwistle</strong> of Stanton along with traditional setters such as UNC-Asheville recruit <strong>Grace Volk</strong> of Arlington and <strong>Claire Harless</strong> of Cross County.</p> <p>At the pins, VCN 18 Elite has <strong>Maddy Meyer</strong> of Norris, Dordt College recruit <strong>Ana Thacker</strong> of Lincoln East, <strong>Megan Vaughn</strong> of Palmyra and Zimmerman. In the middle is Peru State recruit <strong>Alyssa Childers</strong> of Lincoln High, <strong>Coree Lipovsky</strong> of Sandy Creek<strong>, Claire Meinke</strong> of Crete, Doane recruit <strong>Emma Ryan</strong> of Minden and <strong>Brooke Winters</strong> of Lincoln East.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>