Eyes on GJNC: Key Round 1 Matchups for Nebraska’s 16s Teams

The Nebraska Stock Up Showcase is quickly approaching! Registration details can be found <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=782">here</a>. Be sure to use code 'KingsleyDig2023' for a discount on the signup fee!   Back to the previews.   Before USAV Nationals got rolling, we looked at a few opening-round matchups that would be pivotal for <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/06/eyes-on-gjnc-key-round-1-matchups-for-nebraskas-15s-teams/">Nebraska's 15s squads</a>. We're doing the same for the next wave, where the 16s and 17s will be firmly in the Chicago spotlight.   Here come the 16s! Keep close tabs on these contests when GJNC's final act begins.   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy vs. MiElite 16 Mizuno   Back to the grind for 16 Synergy.   This [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] group has been on this stage at the Open level before, so nothing should phase this group heading into Chicago. [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] have already generated headlines with their commitments to Nebraska and Wisconsin, respectively. Now it's time to take care of unfinished business at GJNC.   16 Synergy's pool is stacked with top-tier competitors, but I've chosen MiElite 16 Mizuno for this feature. The Michigan club is fresh off a runner-up finish in 16 Open at AAU Nationals, and the team will now make a quick turnaround to the USAV side. We'll see how it plays out.   <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/1639689506424012803?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 16 Gold vs. Northern Lights 16-1   Ah, the memories.   Who remembers Gold Pool 2 from the Northern Lights Qualifier? It was the group that devolved into tiebreaker chaos featuring Premier Nebraska 16 Gold, Northern Lights 16-1, and the aforementioned [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy. Northern Lights secured a 2-0 sweep against 16 Gold before Premier got instant vengeance with a win in the single tiebreaker set to clinch an Open bid.   They meet again. Look for 16 Gold setter Charles Solomon to operate a high-octane offense featuring [player_tooltip player_id='155043' first='Shay' last='Heaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'], and several others.   <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/1640027180951281664?s=20 </div></figure>     [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 16 Red vs. Southwest 16N Ashley   We're taking [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] under our wing, as it's a member of the Great Plains Region. Recall all the thrilling moments this team produced at the Show Me Qualifier en route to the 16 USA championship.   Now, a dynamic frontcourt attack led by Maliyah Hacker and Claire Munch will look to recreate that magic at GJNC. Southwest 16N Ashley looms large in this group, and it's a club that I've been lucky enough to cover on the Prep Dig Circuit. Storylines abound.   <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>     Nebraska Pride Gold 16s vs. Skyline 16 Royal   What an initiation into the club volleyball scene.   The Nebraska Pride-[program_tooltip program_id='428715' first='Nebraska' last='Gold'] merger has generated instant success, and the club's top 16s team is set to take on the 16 National division in Chicago. This is a fascinating division full of Open-level squads, so there will be a wealth of formidable foes facing Nebraska Pride.   Such is the case with Skyline 16 Royal, the top seed in Nebraska Pride's pool. Look out for small-town stars like [player_tooltip player_id='173530' first='Mattie' last='Kamery'], [player_tooltip player_id='275971' first='Daisy' last='Ryan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'] to keep scrapping throughout this wave as they carry the torch for central Nebraska.   <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/1642636525543235585?s=20 </div></figure>   Premier Nebraska 16 Black vs. FC Elite 16 White   It's that classic Nebraska-Wisconsin battle we've seen once or twice. Or many, many times.   Another chapter will be written in the saga when Premier Nebraska 16 Black takes on FC Elite 16 White. This figures to be an evenly matched contest in a 16 American division with so many realistic outcomes.   Ball control should remain a major strength for 16 Black. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='189351' first='Gabby' last='Lund'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189354' first='Georgia' last='Sinnett'] have been stellar in this area. Time to find out who else rises to the forefront when the Chicago gauntlet begins.   <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/1639706591610929153?s=20 </div></figure>     Banzai VBC 16 Select vs. OPVC 16 Nixon   A breakout season for Banzai VBC 16 Select has built up to this moment, and we're thrilled to see what this team can do in the 16 Freedom division at GJNC.   [player_tooltip player_id='395227' first='Zoe' last='Petersen'] has been a big trendsetter for this group, as has middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='155055' first='Lilly' last='Pillay']. [player_tooltip player_id='155056' first='Raeghan' last='Craven'] helps tie everything together at the setter spot. The biggest test for this group ought to be the meeting with OPVC 16 Nixon, the top seed in Banzai's pool.     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black vs. Iowa Rockets 16-1   Nebraska-Iowa. We had to go with this one.   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] is strutting its 16s depth with 16 Black appearing in the 16 Patriot division. It's been an impressive year for this squad, highlighted by up-and-coming athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'], [player_tooltip player_id='269961' first='Abby' last='Covalt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='497282' first='Haidyn' last='Case'].   A cross-border showdown with Iowa Rockets should offer a solid barometer on where 16 Black is at in the year's final event.   <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/1642882123454468096?s=20 </div></figure>

The Nebraska Stock Up Showcase is quickly approaching! Registration details can be found here. Be sure to use code 'KingsleyDig2023' for a discount on the signup fee!