Nebraska’s Showdown 16 Open/Club Championship Path
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The 2024 Nebraska Showdown showcased some great local clubs with tremendous talent. Let’s take a look at the 16’s Open/Club Bracket which featured some regionally and nationally ranked teams. Let’s take a look at how the teams battled into the…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 Nebraska Showdown showcased some great local clubs with tremendous talent. Let’s take a look at the 16’s Open/Club Bracket which featured some regionally and nationally ranked teams. Let’s take a look at how the teams battled into the Gold Bracket finale.
South Central Black is coming off a great showing and earning a 16 Liberty Bid from the Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City a few weeks ago. Currently ranked #27 in USAV National Rankings, this team has a ton of weapons all around. They serve tough to keep opposing teams out of system and they move and talk so well as a team.
Jalyn Branson Jalyn Branson 5'8" | OH Shelton | 2026 State NE on the outside can terminate down the line or a great cut shot. The two middles that are both 6’1” are hard to slow down. Reagan Meyers Reagan Meyers 6'2" | MB Superior | 2027 NE is so athletic and can jump out of the gym. She has a fast arm swing and hits great cut shots. Payton Sullivan Payton Sullivan 6'1" | MB Hastings St. Cecilia | 2026 State NE is also lengthy and athletic. Both can run the fast tempo ball well. Kyla Greiss from Sutton is scrappy on defense and is efficient in serve receive. Cambri Andel does a great job of distributing the ball to all of her weapons. Courtney Carsttrom is also a great pin hitter that has a big swing.
Round 1 Pool A on Saturday was just a three team pool so South Central 16 Black played three sets regardless. VCN 15 Blue gave South Central all they could handle. Black came out victorious 25-14, 26-24 and 25-18. Then they faced Sandford Sports 16 White and won handily 25-12,25-11,25-18.
VCN 15 Black is also coming off a strong showing making the Gold Bracket in the the USA Division at the Show Me Qualifier and tied for a 9th place finish. They also have a Liberty Bid, but in the 15’s Division. They are currently ranked #41 in USAV National Rankings.
They too have a ton of weapons all around and continue to get stronger as the season has progressed. Their go-to hitter, Delainey Volkmer Delainey Volkmer 5'8" | OH Lincoln North Star | 2027 NE , plays way bigger than 5 ‘8″. She can jump out of the gym and can terminate with her power either tooling off the block or hitting the seam. Middle Aunnalie Scribner has also shown great strides this year as a go to hitter as well. Her timing and rhythm with Alex Kroll Alex Kroll S Lincoln North Star | 2027 NE has really added depth in Black’s attack arsenal. Outside Elsie Schmidt Elsie Schmidt 5'9" | OH Lincoln Southeast | 2027 NE also had a great weekend on the outside pin. She can get kills with power or can push a ball deep off the block’s hands. She has really elevated her play as of late.
Round 1 Pool Pool D started out strong for VCN Black as they beat Nebraska One 16 Grey 25-14, 25-16. VCN’s firepower at the net was too strong for Nebraska One Grey. They struggled to side out even after a nice passing game from their libero Hailey Macke. Then they played a VCNL Silver team and Black struggled early, but built momentum behind the strong serving of Livia Drevo Livia Drevo 5'10" | OH Lincoln Christian | 2027 NE , Emmalin Quinn and Ella Twarling Ella Twarling 5'4" | DS/L Norris | 2027 NE .
Black finished off the day with a win over Nebraska Juniors 16 Red 25-13, 25-14. Outside hitter Maddie Johnson Maddie Johnson 5'9" | OH Lincoln East | 2026 NE played well for 16 Red. She has a heavy arm and can put the ball down. She does a nice job of finding seams and tooling off the block.
Sunday was a double elimination bracket. VCN 15 Black had a tough first draw against Nebraska Juniors 16 Black. Size wise Juniors was way more physical and big, but VCN’s Black pass and serve and floor defense and ability to find the open floor led them to an exciting three set victory 20-25, 25-18 and 15-11. Ashley Beethe Ashley Beethe 6'0" | OH Johnson County Central | 2026 State NE had a big block for Juniors and a couple of nice kills. South Central had an exciting three set match against VCN 16 Black. South Central was victorious 18-25, 25-17, 15-10. South Central’s firepower at the net was too much for VCN 16 Black.
The anticipated Championship match was between VCN 15 Black and South Central 16 Black. South Central came out big at the net and also served tough. VCN had a hard time slowing down Reagan Meyers Reagan Meyers 6'2" | MB Superior | 2027 NE and outside Jalyn Branson Jalyn Branson 5'8" | OH Shelton | 2026 State NE . South Central prevailed in the first set 25-14. VCN Black came back strongly in the second set and was able to slow South Central’s attack down. They kept battling and Delainey Volkmer Delainey Volkmer 5'8" | OH Lincoln North Star | 2027 NE heated up on the outside and VCN clawed back to come within reach, but ended up losing 25-21.
It was a great two days close to home and was a great tune up for teams to go back and work on things before the last Power League games and Nationals. Keep an eye out for these two teams!