2022 Club Season Spotlight: Nebraska Juniors 16 Black

<p>Last weekend’s Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis has granted another great opportunity to bring back the Club Season Spotlight series.</p> <p>More specifically, Nebraska Juniors features are back. We’ve previously covered their 18 Black and 17 Black teams as both of these squads produced some big moments in the Midwest Power League. Now, in the wake of NLQ, we’ve now had a live look at 16 Black and 15 Black, so let’s keep the Nebraska Juniors streak going!</p> <p>Consider this an early "recruiting guide" if you’d like. Here are some names to know for Nebraska Juniors 16 Black!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Up in the Frontcourt</strong></p> <p>16 Black is a team that ought to keep improving as the year goes on, and it starts with all the great potential along the net.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="105000" first="Celia" last="Spilker"] spent some time on 17 Black earlier in the year, and she made a big appearance for 16 Black in Minneapolis. She also has proven that she can be a force at multiple frontcourt positions, as her dominance in the middle is matched only by her skill at opposite during the high school season. Spilker’s middle blocker counterpart on 16 Black, [player_tooltip player_id="104993" first="Sarah" last="Spahr"], also had a breakout weekend at NLQ with her impressive length at the net.</p> [caption id="attachment_187423" align="alignright" width="434"]<img class="wp-image-187423" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/IMG_8050-crop-3703x2431-1648312380-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="434" height="285" /> Sisco goes up to block for 16 Black.[/caption] <p>This team typically runs a two-setter system, and that allows two different opposites to flourish in the frontcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="105009" first="Kadyn" last="Sisco"] takes some strong two-footed attacks on the right pin but can also mix in some swings off one foot if the situation allows. She is joined at this position by [player_tooltip player_id="172604" first="Kiera" last="Busboom"], a Beatrice athlete who has quickly found her footing with this Nebraska Juniors team.</p> <p>Of course, we have to mention a few outside hitters who can score on the left pin. [player_tooltip player_id="105003" first="Marlee" last="Ervin"] is a very unique player at this spot that I’m excited to follow throughout the 2022 season. Much like her role during the high school season with Ogallala, Ervin displayed her aptitude as a hitter and a setter at NLQ. But, unlike a traditional setter-opposite, this physical force is most comfortable on the left pin when she’s in that attacking role. This versatility gives 16 Black plenty of things to consider when heading into any given match.</p> <p>Other left sides for this team can fill a more typical outside hitter role, and many are comfortable in all six rotations. Kya Branch is certainly one of those players. The Lincoln Southeast product showed her worthiness to lock down the backcourt when she got opportunities to defend in middle-back. The same can be said of <strong>Rylie Slaymaker</strong>, whose contributions to 16 Black continue to grow. We also saw some nice swings from [player_tooltip player_id="152905" first="Lilly" last="Swanson"] in Minneapolis as this Diller-Odell talent continues to make her mark as one of Nebraska’s best small-town talents in the 2024 class.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Dynamic Duo</strong></p> <p>That frontcourt discussion covers nearly the entire roster that we saw at NLQ. However, we still need to talk about a ball control duo that helps pull everything together for 16 Black.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="124779" first="Tatum" last="Backemeyer"] is really starting to find her groove in the libero jersey. Perhaps you’ll remember all the way back to last November when she was consistently one of my favorite players to watch at the state championships. From Elmwood-Murdock to Nebraska Juniors, Backemeyer just keeps making outstanding defensive plays that are still getting noticed.</p> <p>Lastly, we have 16 Black’s lone ranger from the Class of 2025. Despite playing up, it’s hard to say that [player_tooltip player_id="173528" first="Brylee" last="Nelsen"] doesn’t fit in with the 16s crowd. She started to stand out early on in her high school career with Fremont, and that momentum has carried over to the club season. She sets the ball with precise location and pace in a way that always puts her hitters in good spots. I can’t wait to see how Nelsen continues to develop with this squad.</p>