2025 Recruiting Feature: Premier Nebraska 16 Gold Takes on TC NIT
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This one is for the underdogs. Over the past few days, we’ve had an extended discussion on the Nebraska teams and players chasing a Triple Crown NIT title from within the event’s coveted power pools. But given the massive amount…
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Continue ReadingThis one is for the underdogs.
Over the past few days, we’ve had an extended discussion on the Nebraska teams and players chasing a Triple Crown NIT title from within the event’s coveted power pools. But given the massive amount of talent heading to Kansas City next weekend, we’ll inevitably have some standout players starting outside these top groups. Time to expand our scope a bit.
Let’s take a look at the stacked group of 2025s from the Cornhusker State who will look to claw their way into the Elite bracket in KC. For this spotlight, we’re rolling with Premier Nebraska 16 Gold.
Redemption
16 Gold has unfinished business.
After coming so close to an Open bid during last year’s qualifier gauntlet, this Premier Nebraska group is hoping for a new spark of forward momentum at Triple Crown NIT. There are few better venues to test your early-season mettle, and I’ll have my eye on several talented 2025s from this well-balanced roster.
How about a couple of new faces on this squad? Standout libero Sierra Pokharel Sierra Pokharel 5'4" | DS/L Millard West | 2025 State NE has been a high-impact addition to this group after we got accustomed to seeing this Millard West product playing a year up with Premier Nebraska. She is now among her 2025 peers on 16 Gold and bolsters what was already a strong group of backcourt specialists. Whether we see Pokharel in the libero jersey or as a primary substitution, she is sure to put out some highlight moments.
Halle Kerkman is another addition to 16 Gold that we’ll have our eye on next weekend. This outside hitter brings a new influx of Omaha Skutt Catholic representation to the 16 Gold frontcourt, and the former Nebraska Elite standout can score at will when she’s in rhythm. We’ll keep tabs on how Kerkman fits into the starting rotation throughout the year.
Speaking of Skutt Catholic, multi-talented pin hitter Abbie Hagedorn Abbie Hagedorn 5'11" | RS Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE remains a vital component of this team’s success. She can play on the left or the right, but look out for combination plays designed to get Hagedorn in the middle on a ‘2’ ball. It’s one of my favorite wrinkles of the 16 Gold offense that epitomizes the variety of ways Hagedorn can score.
There’s even more high-school teammate cohesion on this roster, too. Papillion-La Vista South’s Charlee Solomon Charlee Solomon 5'9" | S Papillion-La Vista South | 2025 State NE and Chloe Livingston Chloe Livingston 5'7" | OH Papillion-La Vista South | 2025 State NE formed quite a setter-hitter connection en route to the team’s second-consecutive state title last fall. They’ll have a chance to display that synergy on another big stage, this time on the club side.
Meanwhile, the Gretna duo of Hayden Hart Hayden Hart 5'10" | MB Gretna East | 2025 State NE and Elle Heckenlively Elle Heckenlively 5'10" | OH Gretna | 2025 State NE will lock things down from the middle. We’ve documented Heckenlively’s forays at the outside hitter spot last fall, but I’d bet on seeing a bit of her middle blocker roots come back this season. On the other side of the rotation, Hart emerged as a big-time contributor late in the 2022 season, especially with strong performances at qualifiers like NLQ and Show Me. Here’s another chance to build on that positive momentum.
The list goes on when talking about frontcourt contributors. Of course, outside hitter Shay Heaney Shay Heaney 6'2" | OH Elkhorn North | 2025 State NE will garner a featured role with 16 Gold once again. Her confidence just keeps elevating after last fall’s stellar sophomore campaign. Likewise, Iowa transplant Madelyn Roenfeld will be a name to know, as she can be equally effective at middle blocker or opposite.
16 Gold’s roster is not complete without a couple more standout backcourt specialists who will surely see plenty of action in KC. Rya Borer Rya Borer 5'1" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE has made her mark in the libero jersey for this group, and she will continue to be an indispensable part of the lineup moving forward. Her lateral quickness and reading ability allow her to thrive in big tournaments like NIT. Alongside Borer is Isabel Campie Isabel Campie 5'7" | S Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE , who has a background as a setter but knows how to shift into a DS role whenever needed.
Clearly, 16 Gold will have plenty of lineup options to explore next weekend. Finding the right combination may yield a run to bracket play at this top-tier tournament.