Nebraska Teams to Watch Outside of Triple Crown NIT Power Pools

Triple Crown NIT is widely known for its power pool format that rewards the best of the best in each age group. Teams selected to these groups have an assured spot in the challenger round regardless of opening-round results. Still, this advantage does not preclude a team from climbing the ladder and making noise from outside power pools.   This feature is for "the outsiders." Nebraska is bringing several talented teams that will start their NIT journey from beyond the top groups. The pressure will ramp up right away for these squads, but we've seen these players thrive in tense situations. Look for more of the same in Kansas City.     [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 18 Elite   We'll start at the top with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s 18s entry.   18 Elite's roster is loaded with championship experience that could pay off at NIT. Marquette commit [player_tooltip player_id='104989' first='Malayah' last='Long'] pilots an up-tempo offense featuring fellow Lincoln Southwest stars [player_tooltip player_id='152857' first='Emerson' last='Lionberger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152858' first='Madison' last='Rink']. Backcourt defense is another major plus with D1 commits [player_tooltip player_id='109597' first='Paisley' last='Douglas'] (Southern California) and [player_tooltip player_id='152864' first='Mallorie' last='Meyer'] (Pittsburgh) locking down the end line. Few teams outside of power pools will feature so many high-profile commits. 18 Elite is dangerous.   <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/1749097213236531267?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 18 Black   Here's one team that ought to be gaining momentum after recent results.   Premier 18 Black has secured its postseason plans after a runner-up finish at the Northern Lights Qualifier. This bid-earning triumph in the 18 USA division was a powerful statement for 18 Black's new-look lineup in 2024. Outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='122824' first='Kayla' last='Eggiman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='122816' first='Kaelin' last='Pribyl'] shouldered some serious volume throughout the tournament. 18 Black can also achieve balance in big matches, allowing the middle blocker duo of [player_tooltip player_id='104995' first='Camille' last='Renken'] and [player_tooltip player_id='124776' first='Isabella' last='Lamb'] to thrive.   Elite competition will not deter this seasoned group.   <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/1751690978702852193?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 17 Gold   Like 18 Black, Premier 17 Gold features some vital new contributors in this year's lineup. Future Lipscomb libero [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] has offered a huge boost to a backcourt that already had South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='155037' first='Sierra' last='Pokharel']. Ball control is further elevated by Iowa prep star Brooke Larsen, who will set in the backcourt and kill balls in the front. Of course, 17 Gold also boasts returning stars like [player_tooltip player_id='155043' first='Shay' last='Heaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='155044' first='Elle' last='Heckenlively'], and [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] along the net. We'll see if a bracket run comes from the top seed in Pool Q.   <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/1749110308457558246?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 17 Black   Another Premier Nebraska team joins the fray in the 17s division.   Premier 17 Black brings a good amount of roster continuity from 2023. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'] is playing the best volleyball of her prep career, and she connects well with high school teammates [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342514' first='Maddie' last='Schnell'] along the net. [player_tooltip player_id='189351' first='Gabby' last='Lund'] is always an athlete to watch when she dons the libero jersey.   This squad is slated as an underdog in Pool M, but we're also familiar with the wild results NIT can produce.     [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite   Time to learn a bit about the 16s.   Our January trip to the Northern Lights Qualifier brought the 18s, 17s, and 15s into the spotlight. This left the 16s as the odd one out, but that's about to change as we travel to Kansas City.   [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite will be a fascinating entry in this field. Small-town stars like [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'], [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'], [player_tooltip player_id='231947' first='Kaydence' last='Haase'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349486' first='Lauren' last='Kuhlmann'] should get their share of swings in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='253922' first='Jadyn' last='Hazzard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497370' first='Ava' last='Bearden'] will both play their part at the setter spot, regardless of the system 16 Elite deploys.   Is 16 Elite ready for the qualifier grind? NIT is an important litmus test.     Premier Nebraska 16 Black   Premier 16 Black is no stranger to the big stage. This group punched an early ticket to last year's GJNC after placing second at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Let's see a little more of that magic at NIT.   Multi-talented pin hitters are one key to 16 Black's sustained success. [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] can play outside hitter or libero. [player_tooltip player_id='253925' first='Kayelyn' last='Liebentritt'] is honing her six-rotations skills on the left, and [player_tooltip player_id='226172' first='Sydney' last='Rogokos'] can play all the way around as an opposite. Two-setter systems are usually the preferred route for 16 Black with [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349413' first='Maggie' last='Miller'] guiding the offense.     Premier Nebraska 15 Gold   This is the team you don't want to see in your 15s pool.   Premier 15 Gold retooled and reloaded in 2024. The headlining change for this team was the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'], an outside-middle hybrid player who previously competed with Arizona Storm. Wallraff's move to the Great Plains Region has instantly shaken up Nebraska's 15s landscape while thrusting 15 Gold into the Open conversation.   The team then added setter [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'], who played up with last year's 15s but stayed down to lead the 2024 group. She is accompanied by [player_tooltip player_id='458126' first='Ava' last='Waters'] at the setter spot to give 15 Gold a cohesive 6-2 lineup. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='591636' first='Maddox' last='Graves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='498923' first='Kaitlyn' last='Huff'] to succeed on opposite ends of the starting rotation.   <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/1756686459099033622?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 15 Black   The champs!   Early-season results effectively locked in 15 Black's presence in the NIT field. This special group hoisted the 15 USA championship trophy at January's Northern Lights Qualifier, locking in a spot at GJNC. Triple Crown NIT is the perfect venue to hone your skills against the nation's best.   Outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='503568' first='Makenna' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458362' first='Campbell' last='Capece'] have quickly become the lifeblood of 15 Black's offense. [player_tooltip player_id='458129' first='Kenzie' last='Morris'] joins the conversation on the left side to form an unstoppable trio. We'll also see exceptional ball control with [player_tooltip player_id='521156' first='Nevaeh' last='Jacobson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458188' first='Logan' last='Hickey'] working in tandem along the end line.   <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/1751733690843996462?s=20 </div></figure>

Triple Crown NIT is widely known for its power pool format that rewards the best of the best in each age group. Teams selected to these groups have an assured spot in the challenger round regardless of opening-round results. Still, this advantage does not preclude a team from climbing the ladder and making noise from outside power pools.