Nebraska 16s Teams Taking on AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's keep cranking at the coverage from AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot to keep up with here, and we're going to alternate between looking forward and back. This is one of those forward-facing features, as we're getting geared up for many of Nebraska's talented 16s teams to take on the Orlando field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, like we did with the 15s, here are all the 16s getting ready to take the stage for Wave 4 at AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 15s feature was stacked with Nebraska Elite representation, and we're staying in the Elite gym to start the 16s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Maverick is certainly no stranger to the pressure gauntlet of Open-level competition. This group qualified for GJNC's Open field last year, and now we'll see what 16 Maverick can accomplish on the AAU stage. No Name, USANY, and Academy reside in 16 Maverick's opening pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're anxious to see which high-profile 2025s have a big outing in Orlando. [player_tooltip player_id='155047' first='Ashlyn' last='Paymal'] has always loomed large as a big-time scorer for this team, but frontcourt talents like [player_tooltip player_id='173520' first='Ava' last='Stone'], [player_tooltip player_id='189373' first='Laynee' last='Baker'], and [player_tooltip player_id='173525' first='Sky' last='Miller'] have also surged lately. Of course, keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='155049' first='Peyton' last='Meyer'] at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 16 Koa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a testament to Nebraska Elite's depth at the 16s level, 16 Koa will join 16 Maverick in the Open division at AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Koa made early headlines with some impressive qualifier placements, particularly at NLQ. That confidence has yielded a jump up to Orlando's top group, where OTVA, Munciana IN, and MAVA await in the first round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's so much to keep an eye on with this group. [player_tooltip player_id='173516' first='Brandi' last='Helzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='189371' first='Paisley' last='Piatkowski'], and [player_tooltip player_id='395124' first='Katie' last='Woodford'] have been just some of 16 Koa's trendsetters along the net. [player_tooltip player_id='173529' first='Grace' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189375' first='Kate' last='Denker'] will also bring their multi-faceted skillsets to the floor in a variety of roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":402930,"width":555,"height":370,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/IMG_7117.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-402930" width="555" height="370" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nebraska Elite 16 Koa competes at the 2023 Northern Lights Qualifier.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VCNebraska 16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on VCN!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen a little bit of everything from VCNebraska 16 Elite this year. There's clearly a strong foundation being built with this team, and AAU Nationals represents an opportunity to take a significant step forward. 16 Elite's first matchups in 16 Open are against PGH Elite and Top Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball control remains a strength of the team. [player_tooltip player_id='173517' first='Meghan' last='Anderson'] continues her standout campaign at setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='173524' first='Nikki' last='Ott'] is having a breakout year in the backcourt. Attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='189363' first='Abbie' last='Apfel'], [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'], and [player_tooltip player_id='269932' first='Gretchen' last='Seagren'] should also find plenty of scoring chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Juniors 16 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venture over to the 16 Premier division to find Nebraska Juniors 16 Black. This squad could make some noise in the Sunshine State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Open-level experience during the qualifier season leaves 16 Black battle-tested for the road ahead at AAUs. That journey starts with contests against St. James, ALJRS, and VC United.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stock-riser potential is all over this Nebraska Juniors roster. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='189376' first='Reagan' last='Ashby'] has already rocketed into this conversation in 2023. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id='155045' first='Brooke' last='Banker'] has proven that her on-court impact is not limited to one position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='189902' first='Ruby' last='Goes'], [player_tooltip player_id='342619' first='Campbell' last='Bohling'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189377' first='Taylor' last='Schuster'] are three more Nebraska Juniors athletes who have dominated recent features regarding 16 Black. We'll likely add to that list after AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River City Jrs 16 Navy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River City Jrs is back in the AAU spotlight in the 16 Club division. Expectations will be high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had our eye on this hard-charging group throughout the 2023 season, and the team's success could reach a peak in Orlando. It all starts with matches against Tsunami, Dead Frog, and ACS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontcourt leaders are all over the net for 16 Navy. We'll be dialed in on middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='216100' first='Lillian' last='Vitera'], who has posted a dominant 2023 campaign with River City. Her connection with setter [player_tooltip player_id='155054' first='Lauren' last='Fast'] has been unstoppable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other big factors on this squad include [player_tooltip player_id='395082' first='Abby' last='Hjemvick'], [player_tooltip player_id='214042' first='Amelia' last='Congrove'], and [player_tooltip player_id='342560' first='Rilynn' last='Schaecher']. And you can count on more trailblazers rising to the forefront when Wave 4 gets rolling from Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Club Legacy 16 Alpha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the crew, Club Legacy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's our first chance to get this club into the conversation. 16 Alpha made a big late-season surge this year and can keep the momentum going with matches against Dream Chasers, GSJ, and San Martin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for steady contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='230373' first='Logan' last='Chvatal'], [player_tooltip player_id='213986' first='Braelyn' last='Braithwaite'], and [player_tooltip player_id='213983' first='Bryleigh' last='Hofer']. Quality ball control and efficient attacking could keep Club Legacy in the Gold hunt throughout this wave, and this trio should help set the pace in the opening round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River City Jrs 16 Red</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one on the board for River City Jrs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Red joins Club Legacy in the 16 Aspire division with first-round matchups featuring Tampa North, Academy, and MAVA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a collection of under-the-radar talent for this River City Jrs group. [player_tooltip player_id='253929' first='Maya' last='Porter'] has been an impressive performer at past Prep Dig Showcase events. Other athletes, including [player_tooltip player_id='342563' first='Lily' last='Thiessen'], [player_tooltip player_id='214043' first='Anna' last='Faiman'], and Addison Schuka, have boosted their own stock throughout the first half of 2023. The narrative continues at AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->