End-of-April Bid Update for Nebraska Teams
April was about as wild as we expected it to be. All month, we hyped up the huge qualifier slate that teams from around the country would tackle in pursuit of a Nationals bid. Teams here in Nebraska went toe-to-toe…
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Continue ReadingApril was about as wild as we expected it to be.
All month, we hyped up the huge qualifier slate that teams from around the country would tackle in pursuit of a Nationals bid. Teams here in Nebraska went toe-to-toe with some elite squads. The dust has almost settled on this qualifier stretch, and I figured it would be helpful to wrap up April with an updated look at Nebraska’s Indy-bound teams. If anything, this will be a way to take a deep breath and reflect on a lot of the new developments in the Nebraska club scene.
Here’s the breakdown.
17s
17 Open (1) – Premier Nebraska 17 Gold (NLQ)
17 National (1) – Premier Nebraska 17 Black (GPR)
17 American (2) – Club Legacy 17 Alpha (Show Me), Banzai 17 Select (GPR)
17 Freedom (1) – Nebraska ONE 17 Black (GPR)
There’s some great variety here.
A lot of us have been keeping tabs on Premier Nebraska 17 Gold’s recent string of success. This “double qualified” squad clearly took another step forward at the Show Me Qualifier and is a surefire championship contender as one of the best 17s teams in the country.
Premier Nebraska 17 Black joins the Indy fray and will be a team to watch in 17 National. Premier’s neighbor, Banzai 17 Select is another fun squad that has made some waves right from the moment I first saw them in January. Club Legacy and Nebraska ONE will also help showcase the the giant field of talented 17s that the Cornhusker State offers.
Another dominant day on the other side of 17 Open!
Despite already having a bid, @premier17gold brings its best to Kansas City and advances to the 17 Open championship! pic.twitter.com/GsA1KVjsly
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) April 11, 2022
16s
16 Open (1) – Premier Nebraska 16 Gold (NLQ)
16 National (1) – Premier Nebraska 16 Red (GPR)
16 USA (1) – Premier Nebraska 16 Black (NLQ)
16 American (1) – Premier Nebraska 16 Silver (GPR)
16 Freedom (1) – Nebraska Volleyball Academy Navy 16 Alex (GPR)
We’ve emphasized several times this year that Premier Nebraska is four-deep in the 16s age group. They’ve proven that after qualifier season, which Gold, Black, Red, and Silver each punching a ticket to Indianapolis.
In fact, we weren’t far off from having all four of these squads qualify at the same event in Minneapolis last month. Each of these four Premier teams was still alive in the final round of NLQ in their respective divisions. 16 Gold and 16 Black seized the moment, while Red and Silver found redemption at the Great Plains Region championships.
Of course, don’t lose sight of NVA Navy 16 Alex lurking in this group, either. This is another team that took care of business against some regional foes to clinch a 16 Freedom bid.
What an unbelievable weekend for @Premier16_G!
After all the drama, a bid has been secured! #NLQ pic.twitter.com/8eKFbDeNrX
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) March 20, 2022
15s
15 Open (2) – Nebraska ONE 15 Synergy (NLQ), Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix (Show Me)
15 National (1) – Premier Nebraska 15 Gold (GPR)
15 American (1) – Premier Nebraska 15 Black (GPR)
15 Freedom (1) – Premier Nebraska 15 Red (GPR)
Nebraska’s 15s have given us a year’s worth of excitement. Nebraska ONE 15 Synergy is another double Open qualifier from the Cornhusker State, and there’s no denying this team is a title contender no matter which lineup takes the floor.
The Show Me Qualifier was won by 15 Synergy, but a lot of hype at that event was also focused toward Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix. That weekend had a couple of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve seen from Nebraska squads this year, and having two Open competitors in this age group is incredibly exciting.
Once again, though, a trio of Premier Nebraska teams will be ones to watch in their respective divisions. It’s been a treat to watch Premier compete with some top-tier talent at a variety of national qualifiers, and we’ll get to do it all again in Indianapolis.
Ah, perfect.
Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix. Nebraska ONE 15 Synergy. Both teams 2-0 on the day. Winner to the 15 Open championship. pic.twitter.com/vdNpLDPHbz
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) April 11, 2022
Not Done Yet
I have to conclude this bid roundup with the caveat that we could add a couple names to the list after this weekend.
The Far Western Qualifier has just kicked off out in Reno, and Nebraska Elite is making the long trip in hopes of locking in a couple more Open qualifiers. Nebraska Elite 17 Vici and Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi are two legit bid contenders to watch in this group, and I’ll certainly be keeping tabs on their progress throughout the weekend. 15 Matrix is also heading out west, but that squad is already on the heels of a spectacular bid-securing weekend at Show Me earlier this month.