2024 Club Season Primer: Teams Seeking Repeat GJNC Bids

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a deeper dive into the best of the best for 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska sent a healthy number of teams to last year's USAV Nationals, and we're expecting a similar output in the upcoming season. Of course, the favorites to represent the Great Plains Region in 2024 are those who have already been to the big stage. While not all club teams look exactly the same from year to year, we still have enough continuity to make some projections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's start doing that. Here's a refresher on the Nebraska teams that appeared at GJNC last season--along with some early storylines to follow in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Qualifier Bids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll start with the GPR teams that earned bids via a national qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we had an impressive group of ticket-punchers at both waves of the Northern Lights Qualifier. Last year's Premier Nebraska 17 Gold group got the party started on the opening weekend. That was followed by [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy, Premier Nebraska 16 Gold, and Premier Nebraska 15 Black in the March outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What's next for this group? We already mentioned in our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/12/2024-club-season-primer-storylines-and-lingering-questions/">storylines primer</a> that Premier Nebraska 18 Gold brings back a wealth of its core group and will likely be an early factor in the 18 Open chase. So, let's dial in on this remaining trio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy will be under the microscope after last year's third-place finish in 16 Open. Ever since that magical July run, we've seen big-time college commitments roll in from the Synergy roster. Cornhusker commit [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] anchors the defense at libero, while the offense is paced by middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] (Wisconsin) and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] (Long Beach State). [player_tooltip player_id='155050' first='Mattie' last='Dalton'], a North Dakota pledge, was a massive addition to the outside hitter spot last season. We'll have a more in-depth look at this team later in the preseason, but stellar ball control and low-error volleyball will continue to propel Synergy to prominence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024's Premier Nebraska 17 Gold group will offer another year of excitement--and there's a bit of a roster shuffle here. Multi-position star Brooke Larsen, who competes in Iowa on the prep side, is making the jump to 17 Gold this year. We can't wait to see what lineup possibilities come from this. Lipscomb commit [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] is also joining the lineup to bolster what was already a very strong backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on the returning talent for Premier Nebraska 16 Black. [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226172' first='Sydney' last='Rogokos'] had massive 2023 campaigns on the pins, and [player_tooltip player_id='253934' first='Scotlyn' last='Erwin'] backed them up in the middle. It also helped that [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust'] found her groove at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other major qualifier venue for Nebraska teams is Kansas City's Show Me Qualifier. This is where we got bid-earning breakthroughs from Premier Nebraska 15 Gold and South Central NE 15 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":442778,"width":"408px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/641-Rayna-Bartholet.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-442778" style="width:408px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bartholet</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska 16 Gold enters the 2024 season with a ton of high-level experience gained from the 2023 high school campaign. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] and opposite [player_tooltip player_id='253907' first='Avery' last='White'] earned another state title with Omaha Skutt Catholic. We saw big-time tournament performances from 16 Gold players like [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] (Bennington), [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb'] (Omaha Westside), and [player_tooltip player_id='275896' first='Kami' last='Dyrstad'] (Papillion-La Vista South). This group is more battle-tested than it was a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then, there's the collection of small-town stars at South Central NE. It was no surprise to see dynamic attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396732' first='Payton' last='Sullivan'] continue their hot streak after making it to the GJNC podium in 15 Liberty. Isabel DeJonge is another key contributor to watch as this team hopes to generate more highlight moments as 16s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Great Plains Triumphs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's give you some quick notes on the Nebraska teams who traveled to GJNC after clinching bids at the Great Plains Bid Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":488092,"width":"334px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/443-Kaitlyn-Bodnar.jpg?w=995" alt="" class="wp-image-488092" style="width:334px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bodnar</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Pride is a big factor in this discussion, and we'll pay particular attention to last year's 16s group that makes the step up to 17s in 2024. Indeed, Nebraska Pride almost added to the list of qualified Nebraska teams from Show Me. Minden stars like [player_tooltip player_id='173530' first='Mattie' last='Kamery'] and [player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'] reached state championship glory this fall after competing with Nebraska Pride Gold 16s during the club season. There's also a stout Kearney Catholic presence with this club, so that covers both teams from this year's Class C1 title match. [player_tooltip player_id='269911' first='Payton' last='Dzingle'] is a middle blocker to watch from the Stars' stable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about Banzai? The 2023 GPR Bid Tournament featured a breakthrough from Banzai VBC 16 Select to reach GJNC. Papio outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='395227' first='Zoe' last='Petersen'] was a major factor in that success, and [player_tooltip player_id='155056' first='Raeghan' last='Craven'] steered the ship at setter. What will the narrative be in 2024?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black had an extraordinary late-season surge to clinch a spot at 2023 GJNC. The team featured emerging Class of 2026 athletes from around the state's prep landscape. Setter-middle hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'] put together a huge sophomore season en route to a second state title with Lincoln Lutheran. [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'] will likely carry a dual position role, too, and [player_tooltip player_id='349456' first='Carlie' last='Talbott'] is poised to return from injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsurprisingly, Premier Nebraska is well represented in this regional group. Premier Nebraska 16 Red takes on a new look this year with savvy setter [player_tooltip player_id='349450' first='Rayna' last='Bartholet'] joining the crew. We're excited to see how she connects with dynamic attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349414' first='Reagan' last='Siebler'], both of whom produced eye-popping moments in the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska 17 Black also falls into this category. Pay special attention to [player_tooltip player_id='155046' first='Isabel' last='Campie'] on this squad, as she can contribute as a setter or a defensive specialist. [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'] is back at setter, too, and her connection with high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] should be as sharp as ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, let's bring [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black into the mix. This group has a huge late-season surge as 15s, and that could be the perfect launching pad for even bigger accomplishments in 2024. Returning players for this team include [player_tooltip player_id='396756' first='Raleigh' last='Bowen'], [player_tooltip player_id='349476' first='Lauren' last='Eggerling'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349488' first='Jaycee' last='King']. [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] is a new addition to the setter spot, so expect this team to find a groove as the year progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->