Nebraska Teams Taking on 2024 Windy City Qualifier
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn 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
Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy
Oh, the intrigue in 17 Open.
Nebraska 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 Keri Leimbach Keri Leimbach 5'4" | DS/L Lincoln Lutheran | 2025 State #40 Nation NE (Nebraska) and Natalie Wardlow Natalie Wardlow 6'5" | MB Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State #17 Nation NE (Wisconsin) will generate plenty of attention, but we also have our eye on the new additions. Abbie Hagedorn Abbie Hagedorn 5'11" | RS Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE and Kiera Link Kiera Link 6'1" | MB Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE are finding their stride with Synergy and will surely influence this weekend’s action.
VCNebraska 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 Tia Traudt Tia Traudt 6'0" | OH Grand Island | 2025 State NE will keep pacing the offense. She is joined by dynamic 2026s like Ellie Eckman Ellie Eckman 5'10" | S Lincoln Southwest | 2026 State NE and Kamryn Behrns Kamryn Behrns 5'11" | RS David City | 2026 State NE .
Will it all come together at WCQ?
17 USA
Nebraska ONE 17 Black
Nebraska 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. Jillian Donovan Jillian Donovan 5'11" | S Lincoln Lutheran | 2025 State NE will set an offense that features a heavy dose of Sierra Crist Sierra Crist 5'11" | OH Crete | 2025 State NE and Kate Carnie Kate Carnie 5'11" | RS Norris | 2025 State NE on the pins. Standout libero Abby Covalt Abby Covalt 5'6" | DS/L Seward | 2025 State NE anchors the defense.
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 Nyah Potthoff Nyah Potthoff 5'8" | S Gretna East | 2025 State NE , Hailey Levinson Hailey Levinson 6'1" | MB Gretna East | 2025 State NE , and Gabby Lund Gabby Lund 5'7" | DS/L Gretna East | 2025 State NE 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 Lilly Pillay Lilly Pillay 5'8" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2025 State NE , Abree Plueger Abree Plueger 5'10" | RS Platteview | 2025 State NE , and Zoe Petersen Zoe Petersen 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista | 2025 State NE .
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 Keatyn Liebsack Keatyn Liebsack 6'0" | OH Bennington | 2025 State NE , Tessa Reitsma Tessa Reitsma 5'8" | OH Bellevue West | 2025 State NE , and Eliza Schmidt Eliza Schmidt 6'0" | MB Omaha Concordia | 2025 State NE to pave the way. 17 Red also has experienced setters in the lineup with Marley McMains Marley McMains 5'8" | RS Papillion-La Vista South | 2025 State NE and Kathryn Gaughen Kathryn Gaughen 5'6" | S Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE 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. Hunter MacLeod Hunter MacLeod 6'0" | MB Bennington | 2026 State NE has been a dominant force in the middle. She is supported by an incredibly talented backcourt featuring Angela Berger Angela Berger 5'2" | DS/L Bellevue West | 2026 State NE , Tyler Torpy Tyler Torpy 5'6" | DS/L Millard West | 2026 State NE , and Genesis DeLeon Genesis DeLeon 5'5" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2026 NE . Let’s see if the Great Plains Region can make some noise in 16 Liberty.
Nebraska ONE 16 Lime
WCQ will be a fascinating litmus test for Nebraska ONE 16 Lime, another group that added names to our 2026 rankings. Ellie Blomstedt Ellie Blomstedt 5'8" | OH Lincoln East | 2026 NE and Macie Wiles Macie Wiles 5'9" | OH Norris | 2026 NE have emerged as steady leaders on the outside. We’ll also see Addison Kastanek Addison Kastanek 5'6" | DS/L Freeman | 2026 NE and Addyson Schlegelmilch Addyson Schlegelmilch 5'8" | OH Lincoln East | 2026 NE put up quality defensive reps–a hallmark of any Nebraska 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. Evangeline Scheef Evangeline Scheef 5'8" | RS NE , Josie Piernicky Josie Piernicky 5'9" | OH Omaha Marian | 2026 NE , and Stella Cox Stella Cox 5'7" | OH Omaha Mercy | 2026 NE pace a balanced offense that should make strides in Chicago.
Premier Nebraska 16 Silver
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. Kailynn Melendez Kailynn Melendez 5'3" | DS/L Gretna | 2026 State NE has been a revelation at the libero spot. Mia Stevens Mia Stevens 5'5" | S Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE is chipping in at setter. Don’t forget to watch Halle Nienaber Halle Nienaber 5'8" | OH Gretna East | 2026 State NE 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 Reagan Wallraff Reagan Wallraff 6'0" | MB Elkhorn North | 2027 NE and Reese Eilenstine Reese Eilenstine 5'8" | OH Elkhorn South | 2027 NE on the left side. Ball control will also need to be locked in, of course, and this is where Taylor McLeay Taylor McLeay DS/L Omaha Marian | 2027 NE and Aubree Fettin Aubree Fettin 5'8" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2027 NE 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.
Nebraska ONE 15 Grey
Time to expand on Nebraska ONE ‘s 15s depth.
Nebraska 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.