Nebraska Bid Tracker: MVP United 16 Red Takes Show Me Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has a lot of non-Nebraska representation, but we're welcoming it to the Nebraska Bid Tracker anyway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] hails from the Sioux City area but has the same Great Plains Region designation as the rest of its Nebraska neighbors. So, why not include this club in the Nebraska Bid Tracker series? Besides, [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United']'s 16 Red team gave us plenty to talk about at last weekend's Show Me Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest bid triumph in the Great Plains Region comes as [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 16 Red hoisted the gold ball in Kansas City. The team's 16 USA championship was a surprise to many, but these players showed an air of confidence that put them firmly in the Show Me spotlight. Get these athletes on your radar!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's help that cause with a breakdown of 16 Red's journey to a Nationals bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finding a Groove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] started its Show Me journey as the third-overall seed in a four-team pool. This squad defied the odds from the very beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though 16 Red fell in a tough three-set battle against OP2 16-1 to open the tournament, the team showed its resilience with a dramatic 16-14 win in the third set over MN Select 16-2 to get in the win column. In retrospect, we can see that this narrow triumph was effectively a must-win to keep [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] in the top group heading into Day 2. An emphatic sweep over ClevPRIME wrapped up the Saturday slate, and 16 Red was moving on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday offered an opening matchup against a Great Plains neighbor: Banzai 16 Select. [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] was clearly determined to put together a faster start than Day 1's pool, and a sweep over Banzai was the perfect way to kick it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regional matchups continued when [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] met Kairos for a battle that surely brought pride to the Iowa-South Dakota crowd. After both squads exchanged blows, Kairos escaped with a 15-13 win in the third to relegate 16 Red to a 1-1 record for the second consecutive day. We were back at a familiar scenario in which [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] would need to win its pool finale to guarantee a second-place finish and advance to the next round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again, 16 Red understood the assignment. Even after dropping the opening set to BSVBC, [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] dominate the rest of the match to win in three and go 2-1 on the day. Survive and advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Long Climb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four teams earned in 16 USA earned first-round byes in the bracket, but [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] was not one of them. Of course, 16 Red was not going to be deterred.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The action started bright and early with [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] facing TAV West 16 Royal for a spot in the quarterfinals. Set 1 was a barnburner with a 28-26 decision in 16 Red's favor, and that triumph carried a wave of momentum into the second stanza. [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] was moving on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642878705344061448?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/1642878705344061448?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about another Great Plains meetup? Next on 16 Red's docket was Nebraska Pride Gold 16s, a hard-charging team of central Nebraska standouts that had climbed to the quarterfinals with a first-round bye. Even without the advantage of some additional rest, 16 Red come right out of the gates with an emphatic Set 1 victory and looked equally dominant in the second. After so many close calls in pool play, something special was starting to come together for [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this three-bid division, 16 Red suddenly stood among the final four teams in 16 USA. A win in the semifinals would assure a bid, and even a loss would offer a chance at redemption in the third-place match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] was not about to settle. With so much on the line, 16 Red roared out to comfortable leads against Northern Lights 16-2 and held firm control throughout the semifinal match. A 2-0 win clinched a bid and a spot in the championship match for a team that was once on the brink of elimination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642943995260157971?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/1642943995260157971?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642951355739283461?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/1642951355739283461?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Such a Cinderella story has to end with the gold, right? That's exactly what we got as [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] earned yet another sweep against CSDP to claim the 16 USA title. Even after all the pool play drama, 16 Red did not drop a single set in bracket play against some of the best competitors in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Variety!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] team is among the most unique that we'll cover for the Nebraska Bid Tracker this year. I'm calling it now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incredibly, this successful 16s team features a perfectly even split of 2025s and 2026s. Such a roster composition provides depth at every position, and [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] reaped those rewards at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":368304,"width":509,"height":334,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/IMG_7544-crop-4800x3152-1680730685.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-368304" width="509" height="334" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hacker attacks for 16 Red at the Show Me Qualifier.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to know where to start with this breakdown, but I'd advise readers to keep an eye on 16 Red's collection of talented, high-flying attackers. Among those is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker']</strong>, whose length and athleticism presented plenty of matchup problems for opposing teams throughout Show Me. And, when she's not tearing it up in the frontcourt, Hacker also brings a steady presence in the backcourt that makes her a brilliant six-rotation option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389837' first='Claire' last='Munch']</strong> is another attacker who has made a big splash on the pin, and she's one of those 2026s who is playing a year up with 16 Red. Her ability to thrive on either pin helps contribute to the ever-evolving nature of [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United']'s starting rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on other multi-talented hitters <strong>Addie Kleis</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215439' first='Hollie' last='Peterson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389834' first='Ava' last='Lloyd']</strong>. This trio can take on a variety of ball-control roles if they're not attacking at the net, giving 16 Red's foes a lot to think about in any given match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blocker is a particularly strong position for 16 Red with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389079' first='Bailey' last='Boeve']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='Jadyn' last='Hofmeyer']</strong> getting a large share of the reps at this spot. Both of these athletes connect so well with setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389835' first='Kinslee' last='Walrod']</strong>, who is carving her own path as a leader for [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United']. If this group is passing well, look for Boeve and Hofmeyer to get involved early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, the backcourt is anchored by a pair of Jacksons with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389836' first='Ireland' last='Jackson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215438' first='Maddy' last='Jackson']</strong> representing this unit well. This region has had its share of hidden gems at the defensive specialist spot, and we can count on these two delivering similar results with 16 Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Tracker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (KC MLK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 18 Black (Music City)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Club Legacy 18 Alpha (Boston)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 American</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Banzai 18 Select (GPR)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Freedom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 18 Lime (GPR)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 17 Gold (NLQ)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy (NLQ)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 16 Gold (NLQ)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 16 Red (Show Me)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 15 Gold (Show Me)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Premier Nebraska 15 Black (NLQ)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->