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Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1

Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
Austin Kingsley
Austin Kingsley January 31, 2024 @ 03:18 PM
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In this article:

Raegan Castle
Raegan Castle 5'6" | S | 2027
NE
Drew Schnabel
Drew Schnabel 5'5" | S | 2027
NE
Elizabeth Courtney
Elizabeth Courtney 5'9" | S | 2027
NE
Macie Burson
Macie Burson 5'5" | S | 2025
NE
Ellie Eckman
Ellie Eckman 5'10" | S | 2026
NE
Kate Denker
Kate Denker 5'6" | OH | 2025
NE
Samantha Chesley
Samantha Chesley 5'7" | S | 2024
NE
Audrey Waido
Audrey Waido 5'8" | S | 2025
NE
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setting up success. Dishing the rock. Whatever trope you want to use, these Nebraska setters took a big step forward at January's Northern Lights Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of our NLQ features over the past several days have honed in on team-based storylines, especially with three Nebraska squads snagging GJNC bids in Minneapolis. We have another mountain to climb with player-based articles as so many athletes rose to the occasion at this national qualifier. Let's start marching toward the summit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the setters. We're covering three different age groups here, but there's a common thread: these setters made everyone around them better last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["187808"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Chesley has been quickly climbing the ladder in the latter half of her prep career, so her inclusion on this feature should be no surprise. She wrapped up an impressive high school career with Lincoln Pius X and carried that right into the club season with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Her final club outing is bound to be a good one after setting 18 Black to a Gold bracket finish at NLQ.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["189375"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Denker has done it again. The Nebraska Elite 17-2 setter led another brilliant qualifier showing and got all of her hitters involved throughout the weekend. Her aggression at the net, combined with Denker's experience at opposite, makes her an ideal fit for the 5-1 offense. No matter what system 17-2 rolls out, Denker will remain a fixture in the team's success throughout 2024.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["395144"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Burson's balanced game made her a natural leader for Nebraska Elite 17-3 offense. Not only did Burson dish the ball with great pace and location, but her defensive contributions in the right-back area kept Nebraska Elite in some marathon rallies in Minneapolis. Burson and her team are eager to build off bracket appearance at NLQu002du002dmaking 17-3 one of two Nebraska Elite teams to reach the final 17 American group.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='521240' first='Raegan' last='Castle']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Nebraska Elite 15-3","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Nebraska Elite's depth is not exclusive to the 17s age group, either. 15-3 navigated the Minneapolis tournament well with Castle guiding the offense at the setter spot. Clutch performances in pool play were the highlight of 15-3's NLQ tenure, and this is where Castle thrived under pressure. Having a steady, stable presence at setter can turn good teams into great ones. Castle has the potential to be one of those players for Nebraska Elite.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["173537"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"What a start for Waido and [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black. A top-five finish in Minneapolis will likely elevate this group's confidence, and Waido's game-changing impact at setter helps, too. The Wahoo prep star is honing in her connections with 17 Black's hitters, some of whom are new to the team in 2024. Waido's ability to adapt to any situation or environment will have 17 Black in this discussion as we travel to future events.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["251144"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Eckman is fitting right in with the 17s. She hopped the age ladder to compete with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite and has made an immediate impact at the Open level. That might be seen as a daunting move, but Eckman has consistently proven her readiness for a big role. She can run a precise 5-1 offense while also posing an attacking threat along the net. Even if a 6-2 system is in play, Eckman will make the most of her time on the floor. The Class of 2026 is bringing it at all age levels.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='521180' first='Drew' last='Schnabel']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"Premier 15 Red","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Schnabel is one of several 2027s who jumped onto our radar after last weekend. Her consistency at the setter spot was a major factor in propelling Premier 15 Red to Gold contention in the final day of 15 Liberty play. Running a varied, unpredictable offense is no problem for Schnabel, and we're anxious to see what 15 Red produces at the next big qualifier.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='521173' first='Elizabeth' last='Courtney']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"Premier 15 Silver","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Keep growing that list of 2027s. Courtney joins the conversation from Premier 15 Silver, which made its own run into the Gold spotlight. This physical setter is not afraid to make her presence felt as a blocker. Having a setter who can match up with opposing left-side hitters is a valuable asset, especially at the 15s level. Courtney gives 15 Silver that versatility, and things are looking up after NLQ.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba7e27da705"} /-->

Setting up success. Dishing the rock. Whatever trope you want to use, these Nebraska setters took a big step forward at January's Northern Lights Qualifier.

Peru State (NE)
Samantha Chesley

Samantha Chesley

NE
S
HEIGHT 5'7"
POS S
CLASS 2024
View Player
​
Samantha
Chesley S
Class
2024
Height
5'7"
HS
Lincoln Pius X
|
NE
Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
Chesley has been quickly climbing the ladder in the latter half of her prep career, so her inclusion...
Written by Austin Kingsley
Peru State (NE)
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Samantha Chesley

State: Nebraska
School: Lincoln Pius X
Club: Nebraska ONE
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Highlights

Kate Denker

Kate Denker

NE
OH
HEIGHT 5'6"
POS OH
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Kate
Denker OH
Class
2025
Height
5'6"
HS
Fremont
|
NE
Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
Denker has done it again. The Nebraska Elite 17-2 setter led another brilliant qualifier showing and got all...
Written by Austin Kingsley
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Kate Denker

State: Nebraska
School: Fremont
Club: Nebraska Elite Volleyball
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Macie Burson

Macie Burson

NE
S
HEIGHT 5'5"
POS S
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Macie
Burson S
Class
2025
Height
5'5"
HS
Elkhorn
|
NE
Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
Burson’s balanced game made her a natural leader for Nebraska Elite 17-3 offense. Not only did Burson dish...
Written by Austin Kingsley
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Macie Burson

State: Nebraska
School: Elkhorn
Club: Nebraska Elite Volleyball
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
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Raegan Castle Raegan Castle 5'6" | S NE

HEIGHT 5'6"
POS S
CLASS 2027

Raegan Castle Raegan Castle 5'6" | S NE

Club: Nebraska Elite 15-3
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Audrey Waido

Audrey Waido

NE
S
HEIGHT 5'8"
POS S
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Audrey
Waido S
Class
2025
Height
5'8"
HS
Wahoo
|
NE
Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
What a start for Waido and VCNebraska 17 Black. A top-five finish in Minneapolis will likely elevate this...
Written by Austin Kingsley
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Audrey Waido

Instagram Twitter
State: Nebraska
School: Wahoo
Club: VCNebraska
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Nebraska-Kearney
Ellie Eckman

Ellie Eckman

NE
S
HEIGHT 5'10"
POS S
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Ellie
Eckman S
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
HS
Lincoln Southwest
|
NE
Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1
Eckman is fitting right in with the 17s. She hopped the age ladder to compete with VCNebraska 17...
Written by Austin Kingsley
Nebraska-Kearney
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Ellie Eckman

Twitter
State: Nebraska
School: Lincoln Southwest
Club: VCNebraska
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Highlights

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
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    </span>

Drew Schnabel Drew Schnabel 5'5" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2027 State NE

HEIGHT 5'5"
POS S
CLASS 2027

Drew Schnabel Drew Schnabel 5'5" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2027 State NE

Club: Premier 15 Red
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<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Nebraska’s Stock-Rising Setters from Northern Lights Qualifier #1</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
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    </span>

Elizabeth Courtney Elizabeth Courtney 5'9" | S Elkhorn South | 2027 NE

HEIGHT 5'9"
POS S
CLASS 2027

Elizabeth Courtney Elizabeth Courtney 5'9" | S Elkhorn South | 2027 NE

Club: Premier 15 Silver
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