GPR Bid Tourney Players to Watch: 17s
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The Class of 2024 still has so much more uncommitted talent to offer in the Cornhusker State. Look for the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament to be a reminder of that. We’ve been marching through the age groups that will…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2024 still has so much more uncommitted talent to offer in the Cornhusker State. Look for the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament to be a reminder of that.
We’ve been marching through the age groups that will be competing for bids at Sunday’s iteration of the GPR finale, and it’s now time to bring the 17s into the spotlight. Few venues this year will offer such a complete look at many of the state’s under-the-radar gems that could still make a college pledge.
Put these names on your radar before the action starts.
Hoos is one of the earliest central Nebraska standouts to land on our recruiting radar for the Class of 2024. Now she’s suiting up for Nebraska Pride, a club that’s fielding two teams at this weekend’s bid tournament. If high-flying left-side hitters are for you, it’s best not to miss Hoos and her hard-hitting style with Gold 17s.
Let’s stay on this run of central Nebraska gems. Evert has seen some of the state’s biggest stages on the high school side, as she led Gothenburg to its first-ever state tournament appearance and followed that up by climbing to the state championship match a year later. This Swede’s combination of aggressive attacking and stout ball control will generate must-see moments for the GPR Bid Tourney.
Last year was a huge breakout period for Faalii, and that has carried right into the first half of 2023. This all-around outside hitter has put her versatility on display for 17 Black while taking on extended reps on the right side. Wherever Faalii is slotted into this weekend’s lineup, you can count on her making the most of her opportunities.
Highlights
Piening bolsters what has long been a stellar defensive unit for Premier 17 Red. She can easily adapt to playing in either the libero jersey or as a substitute for one of the team’s pin hitters. High-level experience is also a major plus for Piening, especially with the kind of recent success that Norris has seen on the high school stage.
Why not stay with Norris for another 17 Red pick? Guthard has flourished as a lockdown libero this season, proving that she can shoulder an important leadership role in the contrasting jersey. When looking at some of Nebraska remaining uncommitted 2024s, the Titan duo on 17 Red stands out right away.
Keep a close eye on Gilbert when her Banzai VBC 17 Select squad makes a push for a 17s bid. This Papio outside hitter has showed flashes of brilliance with the Monarchs, both as a pin hitter and a defensive specialist. She will likely be a focal point of the Banzai offense this weekend as Gilbert’s stock-rising 2023 season continues.
Club Legacy 17 Alpha’s frontcourt talent captured our attention from the beginning of the 2023 season, as the team climbed to NLQ’s final bracket in 17 American. Loveless seized the chance to compete in this high-pressure situation, and the dynamic middle blocker revealed her evolving skills along the net. A balance of efficient attacking and shutdown blocking should put Loveless in the spotlight once again.
Nebraska ONE 17 Black has seen some indispensable production from its Waverly libero this season. Rice is such a multi-talented ball control standout who could easily play setter if the situation warranted. But, this year, it’s Rice’s serve receive and floor defense that have propelled her to forefront of our discussions regarding 17 Black.
The Show Me Qualifier was a massive step forward for Olds, a middle blocker who has become a lethal terminator behind the setter. VCN 17 Black was right in the championship conversation in Kansas City while Olds was hammering away kill after kill from the middle. Better yet, we’ve seen the Lincoln Southeast athlete develop into a vital vocal leader who should embrace this role again this weekend.Th
Let’s introduce the “big gun” for Premier 17 Silver. While we’re discussing standout performers from the Show Me Qualifier, few Nebraska attackers asserted themselves like Hans. The Platteview star was 17 Silver’s primary weapon throughout the weekend as the team marched to the championship match in 17 American. A steady dose of this high-flying outside hitter could yield the long-awaited bid breakthrough for Hans’s talent-laden Premier squad.