Nebraska Teams Taking on 2024 Windy City Qualifier

On to Chicago.   More big-time events are starting to trickle in for the Nebraska squads. Last week, the 16s were in the spotlight as Great Plains teams battled for bids in Minneapolis. We now turn our attention toward the Windy City Qualifier.   Chicago is drawing a lot more Nebraska teams this year, and I'll have my eye on all the happenings out east. Then, we hit the road for the Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City. That's where I'll be!   During this busy stretch, it's always helpful to lay out the teams vying for glory. Check out this expanded field of Nebraska team making the trek to Chicago for WCQ.     17 Open   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy   Oh, the intrigue in 17 Open.   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy is making the trip to Chicago for another shot at an Open bid. This stacked squad was in the hunt at NLQ and built plenty of positive momentum at the end of Triple Crown NIT.   Big-time D1 commits like [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] (Nebraska) and [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] (Wisconsin) will generate plenty of attention, but we also have our eye on the new additions. [player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155052' first='Kiera' last='Link'] are finding their stride with Synergy and will surely influence this weekend's action.   <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/1759333410508521708?s=20 </div></figure>     [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite   Here's another squad accustomed to playing at club volleyball's biggest venues.   Chicago is the next step in the journey for VCN 17 Elite after this group has already come so close to an Open bid. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] will keep pacing the offense. She is joined by dynamic 2026s like [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349479' first='Kamryn' last='Behrns'].   Will it all come together at WCQ?   <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/1758972244913483794?s=20 </div></figure>     17 USA   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s depth will be on full display in the 17s field.   17 Black joins 17 Synergy for WCQ's holiday action. We have high expectations for this incredible group of 2025s in the 17 USA division. [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'] will set an offense that features a heavy dose of [player_tooltip player_id='342612' first='Sierra' last='Crist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='495061' first='Kate' last='Carnie'] on the pins. Standout libero [player_tooltip player_id='269961' first='Abby' last='Covalt'] anchors the defense.   <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/1756700596726374748?s=20 </div></figure>     Premier Nebraska 17 Black   Welcome to the feature, Premier Nebraska.   A handful of Premier entries will bolster this Chicago tournament, and we're starting with the eldest group in 17 USA. Premier 17 Black has a lot to gain after several strong showings at recent Power League events.   This squad has leaned on some Gretna East cohesion with high school teammates [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189351' first='Gabby' last='Lund'] all carrying featured roles for 17 Black.     17 Liberty   Banzai VBC 17 Select   Here's a chance to catch up with one of Banzai VBC's top squads.   17 Select has been a regular frontrunner on the Great Plains stage, culminating in a GJNC appearance last summer. This team is stacked with recognizable names, including frontcourt attackers [player_tooltip player_id='155055' first='Lilly' last='Pillay'], [player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='395227' first='Zoe' last='Petersen'].   If under-the-radar 2025s are your focus, put this team on your docket in Chicago.     Premier Nebraska 17 Red   Tally another one in the Premier Nebraska count.   Premier 17 Red formidable front row should generate some headlines in WCQ's 17 Liberty division. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='240572' first='Keatyn' last='Liebsack'], [player_tooltip player_id='189353' first='Tessa' last='Reitsma'], and [player_tooltip player_id='269910' first='Eliza' last='Schmidt'] to pave the way. 17 Red also has experienced setters in the lineup with [player_tooltip player_id='395142' first='Marley' last='McMains'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342493' first='Kathryn' last='Gaughen'] playing some of their best volleyball yet.     17 American   Banzai VBC 17 Power   Banzai VBC is going two-deep in the 17s age group.   17 American is a division loaded with prospective bid-earners, so we're excited to see how Banzai VBC 17 Power stacks up. Any of this team's standouts could be a late-season addition to the 2025 rankings.     16 Liberty   Banzai VBC 16 Select   Back to Banzai.   This 16 Select team has already placed several athletes on our 2026 watch list. [player_tooltip player_id='396748' first='Hunter' last='MacLeod'] has been a dominant force in the middle. She is supported by an incredibly talented backcourt featuring [player_tooltip player_id='464932' first='Angela' last='Berger'], [player_tooltip player_id='396752' first='Tyler' last='Torpy'], and [player_tooltip player_id='396749' first='Genesis' last='DeLeon']. Let's see if the Great Plains Region can make some noise in 16 Liberty.     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Lime   WCQ will be a fascinating litmus test for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Lime, another group that added names to our 2026 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='518590' first='Ellie' last='Blomstedt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518592' first='Macie' last='Wiles'] have emerged as steady leaders on the outside. We'll also see [player_tooltip player_id='396782' first='Addison' last='Kastanek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518591' first='Addyson' last='Schlegelmilch'] put up quality defensive reps--a hallmark of any [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] team.     16 American   Club Legacy 16 Bravo   Why not add Club Legacy to the list?   16 Bravo will duel in the 16 American division and features many players we've discussed lately. [player_tooltip player_id='396743' first='Evangeline' last='Scheef'], [player_tooltip player_id='349466' first='Josie' last='Piernicky'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349465' first='Stella' last='Cox'] pace a balanced offense that should make strides in Chicago.     Premier Nebraska 16 Silver   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Kailynn-Melendez-crop-1365x897-1701664809.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-486301" style="width:381px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Melendez</figcaption></figure>   16 Silver carries the torch for Premier Nebraska's 16s age group.   We have a medley of new faces and familiar standouts on this roster. [player_tooltip player_id='349411' first='Kailynn' last='Melendez'] has been a revelation at the libero spot. [player_tooltip player_id='349410' first='Mia' last='Stevens'] is chipping in at setter. Don't forget to watch [player_tooltip player_id='349417' first='Halle' last='Nienaber'] in the front row, as this outside hitter is reaching new heights in 2024.     15 Open   Premier Nebraska 15 Gold   Another pressure test for Premier 15 Gold.   This group is ready to step into the qualifier spotlight. An Open bracket championship at Triple Crown NIT was a stark display of that high-level preparedness.   We'll have our eye on elite attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443108' first='Reese' last='Eilenstine'] on the left side. Ball control will also need to be locked in, of course, and this is where [player_tooltip player_id='458162' first='Taylor' last='McLeay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458161' first='Aubree' last='Fettin'] can step up this weekend.     15 American   Banzai VBC 15 Power   We're due for a major learning experience in the 15 American division.   It starts with Banzai VBC 15 Power, which will face KC Ignite, Instinct, and Rogue in opening pools. Any of 15 Power's athletes could join the next 2027 watch list based on what happens in Chicago.     [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Grey   Time to expand on [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s 15s depth.   [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s 15 Black and 15 Lime teams were driving forces behind many of our most recent 2027 watch list additions. Now, we'll bring 15 Grey into the mix after making our Windy City observations. The grind continues.

On to Chicago.