Nebraska 2026s Entering the Spotlight at Triple Crown NIT

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the 2026s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've mentioned that we have a lot to learn about the Class of 2026. The 15s season has barely started, and we've only had a few opportunities to see this group on a big national stage. Let's fix that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triple Crown NIT will offer innumerable chances for 15s to showcase their skills against the nation's best, and that includes the groups representing my home base of Nebraska. I'll be looking to update and upgrade our 2026 watch list by the time March rolls around. That process gets a huge boost in Kansas City this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here are a few athletes and storylines we'll be following from Nebraska's Class of 2026 at Triple Crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Gold at the Forefront</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group accomplished some great feats at the 14s level last year, but the pressure ramps up a bit more as the 15s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've already seen strong moments from 15 Gold in a few scrimmage environments and the Midwest Power League. This team is stacked in the middle with versatile athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'], [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='253907' first='Avery' last='White']. All three of these players can be trusted to shuffle frontcourt positions at any moment, and I'm excited to see which combinations the team deploys at NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsewhere in the lineup, 15 Gold will surely lean on some pin power from left-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] and opposite [player_tooltip player_id='275934' first='Sydney' last='Schram']. Premier is at its best when this pair gets plenty of chances to swing. [player_tooltip player_id='275937' first='Ella' last='Eymann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275901' first='Hayden' last='Booth'] will be part of the multi-dimensional setter spot that distributes to all of these great hitters. Another setter, [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'], represents the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of this is tied together with some great defensive play from backcourt specialists [player_tooltip player_id='275896' first='Kami' last='Dyrstad'] and Nora Konz. We've already seen what Dyrstad can do on one of the toughest high school stages in Nebraska, and now those talents will shine on the club side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15 Gold opens up with pool matchups against Aspire, MadFrog, and A5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1612115690512580608?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1612115690512580608?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VCNebraska 15 Elite Brings Next Wave of Talent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another non-power pool team that could bring some heat in 15U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts in the frontcourt with various talented hitters that I'll be watching throughout the weekend. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='276207' first='Kaydence' last='Haase'] has been scoring at will in early-season competitions, and she also brings some six-rotation skills that give her a full-time role in the backcourt. As we evaluate Nebraska's Class for 2026 for some very preliminary frontrunners, Haase is a name you have to keep in mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15 Elite's middle blocker spot is also a strong point on the roster with physical athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='253933' first='Peyton' last='Svendsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'] locking down the net. This VCNebraska group has also flexed its muscle in the blocking phase with pins like Tessa Scheer, [player_tooltip player_id='276210' first='Josie' last='Larson'], Kamryn Behrns, and [player_tooltip player_id='276212' first='Ava' last='Markowski'] helping to seal the edges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, of course, you can't have a VCNebraska squad without some ball-control anchors leading the way. 15 Elite can deploy either [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] or Eleanor Griffin at setter without skipping a beat. In the backcourt, Piper Petersen and [player_tooltip player_id='276211' first='Sadie' last='Luke'] have shown the quickness and finesse to take control in the libero jersey. In all, it's a strong unit that will keep VCN in some long rallies in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That KC journey starts with pool matches against Vision, Illini Elite, and W Revolution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->