NE 17 Open Standouts at President’s Day Classic
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17 Open on Sunday at President’s Day Classic in Omaha had some tight matches that went back and forth. Nebraska Juniors 17 Black finished Pool 2 undefeated at 5-0 and won the extra match bracket 25-22, 21-25, 15-11. During their…
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Continue Reading17 Open on Sunday at President’s Day Classic in Omaha had some tight matches that went back and forth. Nebraska Juniors 17 Black finished Pool 2 undefeated at 5-0 and won the extra match bracket 25-22, 21-25, 15-11. During their Pool Play match against Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick it was back and forth the whole match and Nebraska Juniors 17 Black ended up winning the match 2-0. Here is a look at some standouts for both sides of the net:
6’0” Setter Carolyn Maser Carolyn Maser 6'1" | S Grand Island Central Catholic | 2024 State NE for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black: The Grand Island Central Catholic standout and State Champion is so smooth when setting. She makes it look so effortless and her height and prowess at the net is hard to stop. She sets the quick so well and this Juniors team some great hitters around her. Her hands are soft and she squares to her hitters so well. Maser has been on the radar for a long time since her freshman year at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo.
5’11” RS/Setter Kiera Busboom Kiera Busboom 5'10" | RS Beatrice | 2024 State NE for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black: This lefty has a nice swing and is so versatile at the net. She sets for Beatrice Lady Orange in the fall and had 407 assists, 166 kills and 46 ace serves this past season. Really liked her competitiveness and leadership on the floor. Kiera blocked well and had some great cross court swings for Juniors today.
6’0” Outside/Setter Marlee Ervin Marlee Ervin 6'0" | S Ogallala | 2024 State NE for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black. Ervin who attends Ogallala High School can do it all! She had some great back row attack swings and is so athletic. Ervin also has a great jump float that just tails off at the end and is hard for opposing teams to pass. On the pin she can jump and hammer a ball down the line with her quick arm swing, and then puts some finesse on it with a great roll shot. Ervin sees the court well and has a huge upside for her team.
6’3” Outside/RS Hitter: Ashlyn Paymal Ashlyn Paymal 6'2" | RS Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick: Paymal is tall, strong and super athletic! She hits both line and cross court well and also swings from the middle too. Paymal is hard to stop because she jumps so well and can tool the block. The Burke sophomore is also a solid blocker. For the Bulldogs last fall she hammered 259 kills in her sophomore campaign. She challenged the Juniors defense all match!
6’0” Outside Hitter Elizabeth Layson Elizabeth Layson 6'0" | OH Omaha Duchesne | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick: Layson flies all around the court to hit the ball and help her team. She can jump and has a powerful swing that can go over the block or tool shot the block with high hands. She gives a ton of energy to her team and plays with a lot of passion. She had 193 kills for the Duschene Cardinals this past fall as a sophomore. Really love her leadership and positivity on the court!
That was a quick snippet of one of the top matches of 17 Open from Sunday in Omaha. There are some really great sophomores and juniors to keep on the radar as club season continues and into the summer and fall season.