Scouting Nebraska's Triple Crown NIT Power Pool Teams

President's Day is almost here. It's getting serious now.   Triple Crown NIT is one of club volleyball's most prominent annual events. It's a venue of mind-numbing scale accompanied by the best teams in the country. It's a recruiting extravaganza, too. As always, we'll be on-site in Kansas City to cover all the action and see which stars emerge under the brightest lights.   I'll be chipping in with some national coverage for this one, but you know I'll keep an eye on our local teams at the same time. Nebraska just had three teams selected to Triple Crown NIT's prestigious power pools--in three different age groups. These power pools exist to reward the country's top teams and guarantee a spot in the challenger round regardless of Round 1 results. It's an advantage that our three Great Plains Region representatives are sure to capitalize on.   So, let's get our national audience acquainted with this Nebraska trio in Triple Crown power pools.     Premier Nebraska 18 Gold   Over the years, Premier Nebraska 18 Gold has been the model of resilience. This group has battled through a heap of poor injury luck to maintain its standing among the nation's best Open teams. That culminated in a podium finish at 2022's GJNC as 16s, and most of those players have stuck around for the final 18s journey.   Early 2024 results suggest that 18 Gold is finding renewed strength and leaving past injuries behind. The team has already secured another Open bid via a third-place finish at January's KC MLK Qualifier. That tournament gave us a glimpse at 18 Gold's "clutch factor" against top-tier competition, and it's likely to translate to Triple Crown NIT next week.   18 Gold typically rolls with a 6-2 system that allows both of its talented setters to run the show. [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='109586' first='Reagan' last='Hickey'] are among the most statistically productive setters Nebraska has ever seen at the prep level. Before they depart for their college destinations (Northern Iowa and Regis (CO), respectively), there's unfinished business on the club side.   Of course, we also have two opposites on the other end of the dial. North Dakota State commit Tanith Roush has consistently stepped up for this team, particularly during last year's trip to NIT. She is accompanied by [player_tooltip player_id='105002' first='Josie' last='Cleveringa'], who is making one of those injury comebacks we alluded to earlier.   The offense still runs through outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='109585' first='Lauren' last='Medeck'], a South Dakota pledge and our top-ranked player in the 2024 class. We won't soon forget how she emerged from a knee injury at the end of 2022 to land on GJNC's all-tournament team. You can't keep Medeck away from the big moments.   Midland commit [player_tooltip player_id='104996' first='Lauren' last='Jones'] returns to bolster 18 Gold's offense on the left side. If the pins are terminating, Premier Nebraska could be poised for a big NIT run.   Then, you have to factor in the middles. [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152854' first='Morgan' last='Bode'] are among the best duos you'll find in the Cornhusker State. Look for Tvrdy to get involved behind the setter, even while she shares the frontcourt with one of 18 Gold's opposites. Her quickness and power off one foot are just that good.   Finally, keep an eye on the backcourt. Future Cincinnati libero [player_tooltip player_id='104984' first='Faith' last='Frame'] anchors this group. She is flanked by [player_tooltip player_id='105001' first='Alivia' last='Hausmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='183983' first='Quinn' last='Groves'], and [player_tooltip player_id='105830' first='Sydney' last='Guthard'] to form an impressive unit with a lot of high-level experience.   <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/1543283271919861769?s=20 </div></figure>     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy   Synergy is back in power pools. It's no surprise after this Lincoln-area group swiped a Top 3 placement at last year's GJNC in 16 Open. It was a stark reminder that this [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] team can hang with anyone.   How do they do it? It all hinges on ball control. This phase is piloted by Cornhusker commit [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] at the libero position. Leimbach has sat at #1 in our 2025 rankings since the list's inception. It's a rare distinction for a defensive specialist, but Leimbach's on-court impact is worthy of such a high honor. Watch her come up with improbable saves while also holding the line in serve receive.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC01512.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-399061" style="width:376px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wardlow</figcaption></figure>   Liberos aren't the only big contributors to Synergy's first contact. Long Beach State commit [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] is unflappable in the passing formation while also being Synergy's leading scorer on the outside. Jelinek can operate in conjunction with any of Synergy's passers, whether it's Leimbach or defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='189326' first='Harper' last='Gable'], who is taking on a bigger role in 2024.   Synergy's other pin hitters will get in on the ball control action, too. This is where we've seen North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='155050' first='Mattie' last='Dalton'] elevate her game in recent weeks. She joined the team as a high-flying scoring threat in 2023 but has seen her backcourt duties expand, too.   And this is where we can introduce one of the new additions in 2024. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'] makes the move to Synergy and bolsters the team's stable of all-around talent. She is primarily used as an opposite but will carry a larger passing role than most right-side hitters at the club level. This is an impactful new face in the Synergy fold.   The same can be said of middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='155052' first='Kiera' last='Link'], who joins [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] immediately after winning another state championship with Omaha Skutt Catholic. She established herself as a blocking force on the prep side, and the same can be expected with Synergy.   Speaking of middle blockers, Wisconsin commit [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] is a must-see talent in the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] frontcourt. Wardlow's unparalleled length gives her a big advantage against any competition, but that's not the only plus of her game. The Lincoln Southeast prep star has developed a ton of range as a slide attacker, making Wardlow an ideal fit for the collegiate level.   From there, you can mix and match front-row lineups to find the right combinations. [player_tooltip player_id='189321' first='Lexi' last='Hasselbalch'] is a true wildcard here who can play middle blocker or opposite. It's all tied together by setter [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'], a can't-miss 2027 who jumps two age groups to guide the Synergy attack.   Premier Nebraska 16 Gold   Another Premier Nebraska entry highlights the 16s age group. 16 Gold joins NIT's power pools after clinching its 2023 GJNC Open bid at the Show Me Qualifier--also in Kansas City.   Multi-position standouts are a major storyline for 16 Gold. Buckle up.   [player_tooltip player_id='253907' first='Avery' last='White'] falls into this category. She's a do-everything attacker who brings experience at opposite and middle blocker. White also has two state championships to her name in as many years with Omaha Skutt Catholic.   [player_tooltip player_id='275901' first='Hayden' last='Booth'] might also show us a dual-position role, but this one is primarily in the backcourt. She will likely help run the offense as a setter but has also slotted into a DS role in past seasons. Ball control versatility is quite a skill to have, and it's one that also defines [player_tooltip player_id='275937' first='Ella' last='Eymann']'s role with 16 Gold. Look out for Premier Nebraska's pair of setter-DS hybrids.   Other roles on 16 Gold are more definitive. We know that [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] will be a trendsetting outside hitter for this group and will likely hold a six-rotation role. Left sides have been producing at a high clip with [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb'] also breaking out at the end of 2023.   But look out for [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack']. She's climbed the ladder to 16 Gold this year after tearing up the Nebraska prep scene with Bennington last fall. Her hard-hitting style is complemented by a wicked serve that can turn the tides of any match.   It's a triple threat at middle blocker. [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'] will get routed into plenty of slide plays, even in three-hitter rotations. The Columbus native has dazzled us with her quick arm and seems to bring her best for the biggest events. [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'] and Harlow Miller will follow suit, with either of them being able to play opposite if needed.   This wouldn't be complete without the army of defensive specialists. [player_tooltip player_id='275896' first='Kami' last='Dyrstad'] will lead the way in the libero jersey and is the emotional core for 16 Gold. Premier Nebraska also pulled [player_tooltip player_id='349404' first='Lily' last='Zimmerman'] up to this 16s group after her incredible sophomore season at Gretna. Another Open bid could be on the horizon, but Triple Crown NIT will be an excellent litmus test.   <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/1639638845325991936?s=20 </div></figure>

President's Day is almost here. It's getting serious now.