Recruiting Nebraska’s 2025s in Triple Crown Power Pools
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It’s getting serious for the Class of 2025. We’ve been harping on the fact that Triple Crown NIT is one of the biggest recruiting spectacles on the club volleyball calendar. That will be especially true for 2025s this year. Open…
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Continue ReadingIt’s getting serious for the Class of 2025.
We’ve been harping on the fact that Triple Crown NIT is one of the biggest recruiting spectacles on the club volleyball calendar. That will be especially true for 2025s this year. Open recruitment for the Class of 2025 opens up this summer, and TC NIT represents the first big opportunity for D1 coaches to make in-person evaluations after the dead period is lifted. In short, there will be more than a few familiar faces in Kansas City.
So, with all that in mind, let’s give a shoutout to the select few Nebraska 2025s who will be participating in power pools at Triple Crown NIT. We’ve got some of the state’s best in this exclusive group.
The Lone Ranger in 17s
You’ll want to keep tabs on the one Nebraska 2025 that will be playing up in 17U power pools.
I think we’ll look back at last month’s Northern Lights Qualifier as the breakout tournament for VCNebraska 17 Elite’s Tia Traudt Tia Traudt 6'0" | OH Grand Island | 2025 State NE . This high-flying outside hitter has always been a go-to attacker for this group, but Traudt seems to have taken her game to an entirely new level this season. Her intensity and competitiveness make her a perfect fit for the L1 position, helping 17 Eilte side out in some tough rotations.
But perhaps the biggest factor in Traudt’s rise to the forefront is her development as a versatile six-rotation asset. 17 Elite has some strong defensive specialists in its backcourt, so it’s particularly impressive to see Traudt take a leadership role in the team’s middle-back area. She seems to embrace the opportunity to shoulder passing responsibilities, and that mindset should be apparent as Traudt and her team compete against some extraordinary 17s talent from across the country.
The Whole Synergy Squad
Now we’ve reached the Nebraska team that will represent the Great Plains Region on the 16s side. Of course, this roster has a whole laundry list of 2025s that will be on recruiting radars next week.
Nebraska ONE 16 Synergy has many of the chart-topping athletes in our 2025 rankings. Keri Leimbach Keri Leimbach 5'4" | DS/L Lincoln Lutheran | 2025 State #40 Nation NE has the rare distinction of being a top-ranked overall player in the class as a libero, and her constant impact at the position warrants such placement. In addition to already being a two-time state champion on the high school side, Leimbach has made a habit of digging plenty of heat for 16 Synergy at the nation’s top club events. Next weekend is just another chance to add to the highlight reel.
Immediately following Leimbach in our rankings is Natalie Wardlow Natalie Wardlow 6'5" | MB Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State #17 Nation NE , another high-level 2025 who has garnered USA NTDP experience alongside her top-ranked teammate. Wardlow’s length presents some intimidating physicality for opposing attackers, but you also have to factor in this middle blocker’s efficiency on offense, too. Nebraska ONE will go to the middle quick as frequently as possible when Wardlow is in the frontcourt.
Keep an eye on a couple of 16 Synergy’s new additions to this year’s lineup. Fremont standout Mattie Dalton Mattie Dalton 5'10" | OH Fremont | 2025 State NE has already made her presence felt as a high-flying outside hitter who can score in a variety of situations. She hits a heavy ball that is tough to dig even when opposing defenders are in the right position.
Then there’s Sierra Crist, a fascinating utility player who I’ve already seen play defensive specialist, middle blocker, and opposite during early-season scrimmages. Regardless of which position suits her best, Crist offers a wide array of lineup options for 16 Synergy that will be fun to follow while the team has a power pool safety net.
Of course, 16 Synergy is still stacked with many of the familiar names we’ve come to know with this group. Anna Jelinek Anna Jelinek 5'8" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE is still bringing her rare combination of terminal attacking and rock-solid passing in all six rotations. Zoe Rademacher Zoe Rademacher 5'6" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE and Matthew Hampton Gable Matthew Hampton Gable 5'10" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE further bolster the end line for this group. And, along the net, Lexi Hasselbalch Lexi Hasselbalch 5'10" | MB Norris | 2025 State NE and Kendall Cose Kendall Cose 6'0" | RS Norris | 2025 State NE are due for big performances at middle blocker and opposite, respectively. These 2025s have shown us what they can do as a Triple Crown underdog, and now they’ll be center stage in power pools with countless big names in attendance.