Nebraska’s Must-Watch Saturday Triple Crown Power Pool Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The journey starts on Saturday. We're ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday's feature discussed some Nebraska teams to watch from <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/02/nebraska-teams-to-watch-outside-of-triple-crown-nit-power-pools/">outside of Triple Crown's coveted power pools</a>. Of course, we also have some elite Great Plains squads with the privilege of starting in these top groups. Power pool placement gives teams the luxury of an assured spot in the 64-team bracket regardless of Round 1 results. But even with that guarantee, we'll see some intense volleyball right out of the gates on opening day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's set it all up. Here are a few Day 1 power pool matchups we'll be following for our local Nebraska squads. A couple of teams have been added to the mix since our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/02/scouting-nebraskas-triple-crown-nit-power-pool-teams/">post-reveal discussion</a>, so the intrigue keeps growing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 18 Gold</strong> vs. <strong>Tri-State Elite 18 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bright and early for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first pool matchups at Triple Crown NIT kick off at 7:30 a.m., which is a storyline in itself as Premier 18 Gold battles Tri-State Elite 18 Blue. Which team will start out hot amid unusual circumstances? Perhaps we can bank on 18 Gold, which is loaded with athletes who have won on every stage imaginable. [player_tooltip player_id='109585' first='Lauren' last='Medeck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy'] lead the way offensively while [player_tooltip player_id='104984' first='Faith' last='Frame'] pilots the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championship experience abounds for 18 Gold, and we might see another special run this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy</strong> vs. <strong>MAVS KC 17-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":511366,"width":"365px","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_0817-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-511366" style="width:365px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite competes at the 2024 Midwest Power League.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a regional matchup with a ton of history. Settle in for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy starts in power pools for the second year in a row. It's hard not to include a top-3 team from last year's GJNC, even as 17 Synergy features some new faces in 2024. Those new contributors--outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='155052' first='Kiera' last='Link'], will play a big part in how far [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] goes. Of course, steady anchors like [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] are still here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MAVS KC 17-1 appears on Synergy's early docket. We have memories of these two teams vying for an Open bid way back at the 2022 Show Me Qualfier. Line them up for a reunion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite</strong> vs. <strong>GP 17 Rox</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the power pool discussion, [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VCN 17 Elite did not appear on NIT's power pool selection show, but the high-flying squad got slotted in anyway. It's a worthy selection given how much VCN has invested in this squad. Class of 2026 standouts [player_tooltip player_id='349479' first='Kamryn' last='Behrns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] have joined their 2025 counterparts on 17 Elite. [player_tooltip player_id='155031' first='Zoe' last='Rademacher'], [player_tooltip player_id='189322' first='Kendall' last='Cose'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189328' first='Rya' last='Borer'] are also new additions--but from entirely different clubs. Returning stars include D1 commits [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] (UNLV) and [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] (Omaha) in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nightcap for 17 Elite is a contest with Game Point 17 Rox. Florida squads tend to find plenty of success in Kansas City, so this should be a solid early test.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Gold</strong> vs. <strong>AVC CLE 16 Red</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here come the 16s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So many eyes will be fixed on this age group in the morning wave. That goes for the D1 coaches there to recruit, but we have a ton to learn as scouts, too. Consider this the dramatic prelude to upcoming qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Gold was an Open qualifier last year and hopes to bring the same success to the new year. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] is coming off an extraordinary prep campaign and will boost the team's offense. She joins forces with [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] to form a top-tier pin duo from the 2026 class. Don't forget about the middles, either, as [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'], [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'], and Harlow Miller are all finding their groove at the net. Day 1 features a matchup with AVC CLE, a club that always seems to wield physicality as its strength. These middles will need to be ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite</strong> vs. <strong>WPVC 15 Armour Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] group joins the fray.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like 17 Elite, VCN 15 Elite was plugged into power pools after some consternation. It's hard to ignore the national success this team had as 14s, and we're setting up for more of the same in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='458124' first='Gracie' last='Lauenstein'] is reaching new heights at the outside hitter spot. She's accompanied by other multi-talented 2027s like [player_tooltip player_id='453482' first='McKenzie' last='Sidlo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458168' first='Laurel' last='Johnson'], both of whom shined on the state tournament stage last fall. We're anxiously awaiting 15 Elite's Saturday contest with WPVC, the #1 seed in Power Pool D. There's no better challenge than that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->