VCNebraska 18 Elite Holds Nebraska’s Top 2018 Talent
VCNebraska is a volleyball club located in Lincoln, founded in 2010 by former Husker National Champion and professional volleyball player, Maggie Griffin. The club focuses on providing specific training techniques to area players and the opportunity to receive high level…
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SubscribeVCNebraska is a volleyball club located in Lincoln, founded in 2010 by former Husker National Champion and professional volleyball player, Maggie Griffin. The club focuses on providing specific training techniques to area players and the opportunity to receive high level coaching. Today, the club is comprised of 24 teams, with athletes ranging from 12-18 years of age.
The veteran team in the club, 18 Elite, is loaded with some of Nebraska’s top talent for the 2018 and 2019 class. Team members include: Jaela Zimmerman, Rachel Walker, Grace Volk, Megan Vaughn, Alyssa Childers, Maggie Sempeck, Mackenzie Sempeck, Coree Lipovsky, Ana Thacker, Riley Newton, and Maddy Meyer; almost all of whom are committed to play collegiately.
VCNebraska 18 Elite has two athletes who will be competing at the Division I level this fall: Jaela Zimmerman and Grace Volk. Zimmerman, an outside hitter, is a future Blue Jay and will be joining the Creighton University volleyball program this fall. Volk, a setter, will be heading to North Carolina to join the UNC Asheville team in August.
Setter, Rachel Walker is the lone Division II recruit. She will be joining the Wildcat volleyball program at Wayne State College in 2018. The lone Division III representative is Megan Vaughn, a hitter, who will be a Buena Vista volleyball player this fall.
The GPAC conference in the NAIA will be seeing a lot of VCNebraska talent in the fall with Maggie Sempeck (libero) and Mackenzie Sempeck (libero) joining the Midland Warriors and Ana Thacker (right-side) becoming a Dordt Defender.
Other future NAIA talent is Coree Lipovsky, MB, who will be joining Bellevue University’s program in August and Alyssa Childers, MB, a future Peru State Bobcat.
Talent that is still up for grabs in the recruiting process is 2018 graduating libero, Riley Newton, and OH/DS, Maddy Meyer, who will graduate in 2019. Both are stand-out athletes on college coaches’ watch lists.
Head coach of 18 Elite and founder of VCNebraska, Maggie Griffin, says the team is a big value to their club program, stating, “This team is a solid group of individuals that I have really enjoyed coaching. They’ve taught me just as much as I’ve taught them by setting the foundation for success in our gym every day and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”
The season has been a little hectic for 18 Elite as they have divided into two rosters for a few tournaments throughout the season, but have still proved successful. The team has competed in three Heartland Cup tournaments in Omaha and Lincoln, Asics President’s Day, and Colorado Crossroads this club season.
VCN 18’s competed in the 18 Open division at the President’s Day Classic in Omaha and finished 7th overall with big wins over NE Elite 18 MOAB, Northern Lights 18-2’s, and CIA 18 Black. 18 Elite also competed in the 18 Open division when they traveled to Denver for Colorado Crossroads where they finished 17th overall at the national qualifier.
Griffin, a former collegiate volleyball player for the Nebraska Huskers, understands the level of talent and commitment it takes to play collegiately. “Some of these kids have been in our program since they were 13-years-old (Zimmerman, Walker, Volk, Sempeck, Sempeck, and Thacker).” The entire team has left a lasting impression on the club with Griffin stating, “We will be very sad to see them go, but we’re excited to watch them in their future endeavors!”
VCNebraska 18 Elite will cap off the club season April 28-29 at the JVA Kansas City Classic.
