Nebraska’s Standout 2024 Pin Hitters from Presidents’ Day Classic
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The annual ASICS Presidents’ Day Classic is a perfect venue to bring some new names to the forefront and scout some under-the-radar talent. So, now that I’ve had time to sift through all the film from this event, it’s time…
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Continue ReadingThe annual ASICS Presidents’ Day Classic is a perfect venue to bring some new names to the forefront and scout some under-the-radar talent. So, now that I’ve had time to sift through all the film from this event, it’s time to peruse through some standouts.
Let’s bring 2024 pin hitters into the mix first. We’ll be focusing on some uncommitted athletes who elevated their stock to new heights in Omaha. You know we’ll have no shortage of names to discuss.
Slaymaker was a major catalyst for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black’s breakout run at the Presidents’ Day Classic. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing this talented outside hitter handle a variety of responsibilities for Nebraska Juniors, and that hasn’t changed in 2023. Slaymaker can score in some tough situations on the outside and has made indispensable contributions in the backcourt, too. This is the kind of six-rotation impact player that successful teams almost always lean on.
Highlights
While we’re on the topic of versatility on 17 Black’s roster, Ervin is another athlete who can do just about anything on a volleyball court. The Ogallala native has been a standout at setter in addition to taking huge swings on either pin. Once again, Ervin is tabbed as one of Nebraska’s best small-town performers after a great outing as an attacker at the Presidents’ Day Classic.
Pribyl has all the skills to be a go-to left-side hitter, and we saw some of that materialize in Omaha with Premier 17 Black. Few outside attackers in the 17s age group showed Pribyl’s uncanny ability to kill the ball in out-of-system situations. Having that kind of outlet is a huge harbinger for success, and we’ll have to look out for 17 Black as we approach the March gauntlet of national qualifiers.
Jera Schuerman
Jera Schuerman
Schuerman left her mark on Nebraska ONE 17 Black’s strong weekend in Omaha. She’s yet another small-town talent to make this feature, and Schuerman’s length made her a standout among the team’s strong frontcourt hitters. I look forward to see a lot more from this Wilber-Clatonia prep star in the coming weeks as Nebraska ONE looks poised to make some noise on the 17s side.
While Schuerman has been busy producing highlight moments on the left side, Moore has generated some hype of her own on the opposite pin. Moore also reminds me of the aforementioned Ervin in that she’s played a vast array of positions throughout her prep career. But the right-side hitter spot is looking good for this Waverly product, helping create a balanced attack among 17 Black’s hitters.
Highlights
As our list of six-rotation standouts expands, we have to put Hagedorn in the mix after what she’s accomplished with VCNebraska 17 Black. Not only is Hagedorn a brilliant option to get 17 Black out of a jam, but this outside hitter’s influence on the offense does not wane when she rotates into the backcourt. Hagedorn is incredibly effective on the pipe, adding another wrinkle to VCN’s well-rounded system.
Highlights
Keira Jones
Keira Jones
Now let’s visit the right pin for VCN 17 Black. Jones makes the trek from Grand Island to be part of this squad, and those trips have clearly been fruitful for this right-side hitter. Whenever it looks like 17 Black might be establishing a go-to hitter, the team finds a way to get Jones involved. That makes defending this team a difficult task, and I’d expect Jones and VCN to carry a bit of momentum into March.
Cassie Stones
Cassie Stones
Club Legacy gets on the board with one of its all-around left-side hitters. Stones has been climbing up the ranks of Nebraska’s 2024 hitters since the end of last year, and she’s proving herself even more with a dynamic 17 Alpha team. From floor defense to frontcourt termination, there’s little that Stones hasn’t already done for Club Legacy this season.
We’re wrapping up this feature with one more opposite that has been impressive in early-season action. Horn is clearly comfortable with the pressure of high-stakes matches, especially after 17 Red’s strong run at NLQ in late January. Premier knows how to get Horn in rhythm, and that yielded big moments yet again at the Presidents’ Day Classic.