Five Nebraska 16s Teams Ready for the Bid Hunt

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about those 16s teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our trip to the Northern Lights Qualifier brought the 18s, 17s, and 15s into the spotlight. It was a lot to take in, but we haven't even seen the 16s in the qualifier spotlight, either. We're ready to change that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's put a few 16s teams on your radar today. These are teams with a lot to gain and the pieces necessary to make it happen. When we dive into qualifier coverage at the 16s level, we'll be sure to get eyes on these squads right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's bid-hunting time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Premier Nebraska 16 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":508622,"width":"353px","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/5/2024/02/IMG_7339.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-508622" style="width:353px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Premier Nebraska 15 Black competes at the 2023 Northern Lights Qualifier.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about a repeat?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last March, Premier Nebraska 15 Black took NLQ by storm with a runner-up finish and a bid-earning triumph in 15 USA. We're ready to see this group chase another GJNC berth, albeit with a new-look lineup in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Familiar standouts are still here, however. [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] is a tremendous all-around player who can play libero or outside hitter. She is accompanied on the outside by [player_tooltip player_id='253925' first='Kayelyn' last='Liebentritt'], who is quickly emerging as a terminal force. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='253934' first='Scotlyn' last='Erwin'] in the middle and the setter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='349413' first='Maggie' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust']. Premier 16 Black can plug and play a ton of different lineups, so let's see which one rises to the forefront when the stakes get higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Elite 16-1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite's top 16s team is built around rising Omaha-area stars who are ready to take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school season offered a stock boost for many of 16-1's athletes. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota'] showed us her incredibly high ceiling when she lifted Yutan to the state semifinals. The lifeblood of 16-1's offense might be in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='349419' first='Blair' last='Boehlke'], [player_tooltip player_id='275897' first='Taya' last='Thaden'], and [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett'] all coming off productive sophomore seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finding the right combinations for all this frontcourt firepower could be the key to getting Nebraska Elite 16-1 into the GJNC spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big gains are on the horizon for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":508625,"width":"355px","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/5/2024/02/IMG_7906-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508625" style="width:355px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Timmons attacks for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black at the 2023 Great Plains Region Bid Tournament.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a moment to look back at the highlight tape for last year's [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Black team. You'll see a lot of multi-position stars who can adapt to just about any lineup. That identity hasn't changed in 2024, but it's starting to look even more cohesive for 16 Black. It's easy to see how this team could be riding a wave of momentum after late-season triumphs in 2023, including a trio of wins at the Great Plains Bid Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black's left-side hitter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='275943' first='Lily' last='Wohlgemuth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'] is already finding new gear. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'] still carries the setter-middle-opposite niche that she executes so well. This squad boasts stellar ball control with Sjuts, [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='396741' first='Brenly' last='Noerrlinger'] locking down first and second contacts. No matter the lineup, 16 Black will be a qualifier contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s 16s teams are a fascinating wildcard for us. Many of the club's 2026s have shuffled around for this year's club season, and several new faces enter the fray. It could yield the right recipe for 16 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349482' first='Piper' last='Petersen'] has brought an instant backcourt spark in the libero jersey. She is accompanied by the smooth setting of [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'], who is one of those new additions to the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym. Other proven standouts with this group include outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='349478' first='Hannah' last='Pearson'], [player_tooltip player_id='349476' first='Lauren' last='Eggerling'], [player_tooltip player_id='396756' first='Raleigh' last='Bowen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='486918' first='Rallie' last='Boyer']. All of these names will factor into future movement within our 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Central NE 16 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We couldn't leave this one out. This South Central NE team put us all on notice by winning the 15 Liberty title at last year's Show Me Qualifier. The good times didn't stop there, as 15 Black ended its 2023 journey on the GJNC podium. Small-town stars showed out on the national stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's a high bar to set, but the gang is back together in 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='458060' first='Reagan' last='Meyers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396732' first='Payton' last='Sullivan'] are South Central's physical anchors in the middle. They are flanked in the frontcourt by high-volume scorers like Shelton's [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] and David City's [player_tooltip player_id='396731' first='Kambri' last='Andel']. Look for versatile athletes like Isabel DeJonge, [player_tooltip player_id='237537' first='Courtney' last='Carlstrom'], and [player_tooltip player_id='275965' first='Taytum' last='Perdew'] to play multiple positions this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to run it back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->