More Players to Watch at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament
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Let’s expand our reach a little more. In case you missed it, we just previewed all the teams and matchups at Sunday’s Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. That feature mentioned a handful of names worth watching, but we can go…
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Continue ReadingLet’s expand our reach a little more.
In case you missed it, we just previewed all the teams and matchups at Sunday’s Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. That feature mentioned a handful of names worth watching, but we can go deeper.
So, before all the drama and excitement of this high-stakes event, let’s give you a few more potential standouts we’re excited to see this weekend.
She does a little of everything. Larsen is a dynamic setter and a hard-hitting opposite, so she’ll do both for Premier 17 Gold. Her all-around impact has allowed her to fit right in with a new squad in 2024. The latest big development for Larsen is a commitment to South Dakota State, where she could maintain her dual role.
Highlights
Jackson captured our attention last year when we covered MVP United on multiple occasions. This libero is strong in serve receive and boosts 17 Red’s floor defense whenever she’s in the match. Jackson and 17 Red saw the GJNC mountaintop in 2023 and are one step away from getting back to Nationals.
Palmer’s quick arm has made her a go-to option for Premier 17 Red. This month’s Show Me Qualifier offered a poignant reminder, as this hard-hitting opposite put up big kill numbers in several prominent matches. The Great Plains Bid Tourney might offer a similar storyline for Palmer and 17 Red.
Karlyn Kovarna
Karlyn Kovarna
Kovarna’s assertiveness on the left pin is a game-changer. We see it in her high school film with Hinton, and she brings the same impact to MVP United 16 Red. Yesterday’s preview feature mentioned all the Show Me tie-ins between 16 Red and its fellow Great Plains competitors. That should offer extra motivation for players like Kovarna to step up on the Bid Tournament stage.
Backcourt defense could be a difference-maker for VCNebraska 16 Elite. That’s an area where Kopf has made her biggest impact, whether she’s in the libero jersey or playing as a primary DS. This Tri-County prep athlete has rocketed up the 2026 leaderboards in recent months, and this is another weekend to raise that stock even further.
Bartholet can command an offense under any circumstances. She moved to Premier 16 Red this year and has meshed well with all the attackers around her. That steady ball control helped 16 Red get within one match of a Liberty bid in Kansas City, so the bar is high heading into this weekend’s tournament.
Moone is quickly becoming the trendsetter for Banzai VBC 16 Select. She has experience on both pins but has made her mark as a left-side hitter this spring. This Papio South prospect elevates well, finds the open seams, and terminates with authority. It’s easy to forget that Moone is a 2027 playing up with 16 Select, as she can take over a match at any time. Banzai VBC is a serious bid contender in the 16s bracket.
Highlights
Kolli is back for more tournament action. She stood out when we covered Premier 15 Silver at last year’s bid event, and that momentum has carried into a successful 2024 campaign with 16 Silver. Kolli runs the offense from the back row and is especially known for digging heat in the right-back area. 16 Silver is ready for Sunday’s journey.
Highlights
We’re anxious to see how Schlegelmilch factors into Nebraska ONE 16 Lime’s game plan. We’ve recently seen her frontcourt attacking skills on the left side, but Schlegelmilch can also be a dedicated defensive specialist in Zone 6. Either way, we expect her ball-control contributions to elevate 16 Lime’s play at the Bid Tournament.
Highlights
Faust is as steady as it gets when the pressure ramps up. That’s exactly what you want from a setter, too. She jumped onto our 2026 radar through last year’s qualifiers and has a chance to qualify again with 16 Black. We’ll see if the team uses Faust in the front row, in a 6-2, or anywhere in between. 16 Black will be ready.
Taylor DeRocher
Taylor DeRocher
Another entry for Hinton High School, which has become a feeder program for MVP United ‘s top teams. We’ll have our eye on top-seeded 15 Red, particularly with DeRocher posting some impressive highlights from the outside hitter spot. MVP United is helping us expand our Great Plains horizons, and we’ll see who else steps up during the bid pursuit.
Brylee Peterson
Brylee Peterson
Let’s see what Banzai VBC brings to the 15s fray. We have a lot of mysteries to solve with this 15 Power squad, including how Peterson slots into this weekend’s lineup. We’re ready to add some new names to the 2027 watch list, and Peterson could be one of them from the Banzai VBC camp.
Krikac keeps surging at the middle blocker spot, so she’s our player to watch from Nebraska ONE 15 Lime. She is incredibly comfortable in front of the setter and can put down some slower tempos at the net. Krikac can even slide over to the pin to give 15 Lime a crucial sideout. Look for that versatility in Sunday’s matches.
Cayle Grossart
Cayle Grossart
Welcome to the party, South Central NE. Grossart hails from Central Valley High School and adds an imposing physical presence to 15 Black’s frontcourt. This multi-sport standout is developing as an offensive weapon while also piling up some impressive blocking numbers. Time to take these small-town talents to the big stage.
Courtney is a fascinating piece of the Premier 15 Silver puzzle. We knew about her setting prowess for this squad, but Courtney also demonstrated her pin-hitting range at the Show Me Qualifier. She can take on any role necessary and is impenetrable as a floor defender. That’s a lot to keep track of.
Speaking of floor defense, we’re returning to the libero position for Premier 15 Red. Lampe has anchored the team’s libero position for much of the year and makes the task look easy. She always looks a step ahead of opposing attackers and will put herself in the right spot to make a play. That reliability will be key as 15 Red climbs the ladder in its bracket.