Eyes on NLQ: Nebraska 16s Teams Hunting Bids in Minneapolis

Here comes NLQ #2.   This year's second weekend of the Northern Lights Qualifier brings just the 16s into the spotlight for our coverage. We'll have our eyes on all the happenings in Minneapolis as this age group vies for GJNC bids. Nebraska teams are in the hunt yet again.   Let's set you up for this one with a comprehensive list of all the Great Plains representatives in the 16s age group. Which squads will add to our Nebraska Bid Tracker by the end of the weekend?     16 Open   Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi   Keep an eye on the Open trio.   We'll start with Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi, a team that surely has big goals at NLQ. We were impressed with 16 Lokahi's performance at last month's Midwest Power League while the team played against older competitors.   [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota'] will be major catalysts on the left pin. They're accompanied by the strong backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='276191' first='Elena' last='Estudillo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349420' first='McKinzie' last='Brandt'], who will establish ball control as a strength for 16 Lokahi.     Premier Nebraska 16 Gold   Here's a team looking to repeat last year's success.   The 2023 Northern Lights Qualifier proved this Premier Nebraska group could hang with the Open crowd. That momentum ultimately carried into the team's bid-earning triumph at the Show Me Qualifier.   Perhaps Minneapolis will be the site of the next breakthrough for 16 Gold. We have fond memories of watching this team at last month's Triple Crown NIT. [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] led the way from the outside. Pin hitters will be vital for this squad with [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253907' first='Avery' last='White'] also putting up big numbers. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'] in the middle.   <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/1759224115599216876?s=20 </div></figure>     [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite   This will be a fascinating test for VCN 16 Elite.   It's a new-look squad in 2024, so cast aside any results from last season. [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'] is one of those new faces who can play on the pin or in the middle. Standout libero [player_tooltip player_id='349487' first='Alaina' last='Kopf'] has moved up to VCN's top 16s group and instantly elevates the team's backcourt.   More 16 Elite storylines are sure to emerge, so stay tuned.     16 USA   Premier Nebraska 16 Black   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Scotlyn-Erwin3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-442862" style="width:360px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Erwin</figcaption></figure>   It's a solo operation in 16 USA. Premier Nebraska 16 Black is the lone Great Plains representative in this division, but the quality here couldn't be better. Bring on the defending runner-up in this age group.   Many of 16 Black's players rose to stardom in Minneapolis last year. [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] is a dynamic athlete who has oscillated between libero and outside hitter. [player_tooltip player_id='226172' first='Sydney' last='Rogokos'] has locked things down at opposite with [player_tooltip player_id='253925' first='Kayelyn' last='Liebentritt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253934' first='Scotlyn' last='Erwin'] also carrying crucial attacking roles.   Will they recapture the magic this weekend?     16 Liberty   Club Legacy 16 Alpha   Look out for Club Legacy. We were reminded of 16 Alpha's firepower when they took down some strong squads at February's Midwest Power League.   [player_tooltip player_id='396745' first='Addison' last='Janke'] sets an offense that features a wealth of attacking talent. [player_tooltip player_id='396736' first='Emily' last='Fulton'], [player_tooltip player_id='349464' first='Annabella' last='Suljuzovic'], and [player_tooltip player_id='396742' first='Resa' last='Milbourn'] will all be players to watch. Of course, we have to mention [player_tooltip player_id='396746' first='Jane' last='Kubat'], who ties things together at libero.   A deep climb through the Liberty bracket could be in the works for Club Legacy.     Premier Nebraska 16 Red   We're looking forward to another display of depth from Premier Nebraska. It happened at the first NLQ weekend, so let's run it back with the 16s.   16 Red has all the tools to make a run at a Liberty bid. Ball control is a huge plus for this group with [player_tooltip player_id='349450' first='Rayna' last='Bartholet'] making an impression at setter. [player_tooltip player_id='349406' first='Stella' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349405' first='Mia' last='Dickerson'] will anchor the end line, allowing 16 Red's offense to operate.     16 American   Banzai VBC 16 Performance   We have a lot to learn about his Banzai VBC team, and it all starts at NLQ.   16 Performance will pursue a 16 American bid with its up-and-coming group of 2026s. This event will be the basis of many future additions to our rankings, so look out for some player features after this weekend.     Nebraska Elite 16 Heat   Nebraska Elite is going two-deep in 16 American. Let's start with the club's 16 Heat team.   16 Heat just brought a huge wave of players into our 2026 watch list. [player_tooltip player_id='349421' first='Claire' last='Barrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518603' first='Lynae' last='Faughn'] are a pair of go-to scorers in the frontcourt. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='518599' first='Marica' last='Remmes'] to make a big impact in the libero jersey.     Nebraska Elite 16 Nova   Now, let's address 16 Nova.   This squad recently made gains at the Midwest Power League, so we're excited to see how it translates to NLQ. Margaret McMahon has been a persistent standout in the ball control phase. She is accompanied by stout defensive specialists like [player_tooltip player_id='349452' first='Sadie' last='Menicucci'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518595' first='Justina' last='Cronin']. Any frontcourt hitter could find a rhythm with 16 Nova this weekend. We'll see who rises up.     [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black   Everything is pointing up for VCNebraska 16 Black.   16 Black is fresh off a runner-up finish in its division at last month's ASICS Presidents' Day Classic. This is another revamped VCN team with a lot of new contributors, including setter [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='349482' first='Piper' last='Petersen'].   Only one bid is available in the American division, but 16 Black could have a say in which team swipes it.

Here comes NLQ #2.