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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Nebraska Stock Up Showcase is quickly approaching! Registration details can be found <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&amp;event_id=782">here</a>. Be sure to use code '<strong>KingsleyDig2023</strong>' for a discount on the signup fee!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to the previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here come the 16s! Keep close tabs on these contests when GJNC's final act begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy</strong> vs. <strong>MiElite 16 Mizuno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to the grind for 16 Synergy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1639689506424012803?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/1639689506424012803?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Gold</strong> vs. <strong>Northern Lights 16-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ah, the memories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1640027180951281664?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/1640027180951281664?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 16 Red</strong> vs. <strong>Southwest 16N Ashley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Pride Gold 16s</strong> vs. <strong>Skyline 16 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What an initiation into the club volleyball scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642636525543235585?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/1642636525543235585?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Black</strong> vs. <strong>FC Elite 16 White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that classic Nebraska-Wisconsin battle we've seen once or twice. Or many, many times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1639706591610929153?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/1639706591610929153?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Banzai VBC 16 Select</strong> vs. <strong>OPVC 16 Nixon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black</strong> vs. <strong>Iowa Rockets 16-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska-Iowa. We had to go with this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A cross-border showdown with Iowa Rockets should offer a solid barometer on where 16 Black is at in the year's final event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642882123454468096?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/1642882123454468096?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->