Previewing the 2024 Great Plains Region Bid Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Bid Tourney time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Great Plains Region Bid Tournament offers a final chance for some of Nebraska's top club teams to secure a trip to Junior Nationals. Three bids are up for grabs in a double-elimination bracket awarding berths in the National, American, and Freedom divisions. It's a setup that always produces some dramatic volleyball, and we're excited to watch it play out this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll have our eyes on the 15s, 16s, and 17s groups, all of which are packed with familiar names and bid contenders. Let's set it all up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(1) Premier Nebraska 17 Gold vs. (4) CNJV 17</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(2) MVP 17 Red vs. (3) Premier Nebraska 17 Red</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a quaint quartet vying for bids in the 17s age group. The double-elimination format means every team will meet at least two of its other three competitors. Get those scouting reports ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one team in this group we don't have a scouting report on yet is <strong>CNJV 17</strong>. This weekend's bid tournament will be our first look at Central Nebraska Juniors this year, and we can't wait to add to our radar from the small-town scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CNJV opens bracket play with a matchup against <strong>Premier Nebraska 17 Gold</strong>, the top seed in the 17s bracket. 17 Gold has seen the biggest stages club volleyball can offer and has battled in the Open division the whole way. We'll be watching the team's electric attackers, including [player_tooltip player_id='155043' first='Shay' last='Heaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'], and [player_tooltip player_id='155044' first='Elle' last='Heckenlively'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for the #2 seed. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 17 Red</strong> brings a lot of championship pedigree to this bid tournament after winning the 16 USA title at last year's GJNC. The roster features an elite medley of 2025s and 2026s that will factor heavily in this 17s race. Maliyah Hacker and Bailey Boeve will get their share of attempts in the front row, and Claire Munch is another 2026 we're anxious to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 17 Red</strong> will contend as the #3 seed. Ball control should be a serious strength for this group. [player_tooltip player_id='342493' first='Kathryn' last='Gaughen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='395142' first='Marley' last='McMains'] have formed a formidable tandem at setter while [player_tooltip player_id='342522' first='Karlyn' last='Francis'] anchors the backcourt defense. They'll all be tested against the high-powered offense from [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1776617733188178099","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1776617733188178099 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1677050855680352259","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1677050855680352259 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(1) MVP 16 Red [BYE]</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(4) Premier Nebraska 16 Red vs. (5) [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(3) Banzai VBC 16 Select vs. (6) Premier Nebraska 16 Silver</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(2) Premier Nebraska 16 Black vs. (7) [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Lime</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the 16s. This is where things get unpredictable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 16 Red</strong> receives the #1 seed and is slated for a first-round bye. This team recently reached the quarterfinals of the Show Me Qualifier's 16 Liberty division and has a ton of physicality to deploy. Jaida Barrow, Melina Snoozy, and Bre VanDenTop make up a strong trio of middle blockers for 16 Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember which team ousted [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] from that 16 Liberty bracket? That was <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Red</strong>. We're setting ourselves up for a Show Me rematch if higher seeds prevail. Premier 16 Red's offense is heating up lately with Jocelyn O'Neal, [player_tooltip player_id='349414' first='Reagan' last='Siebler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='216933' first='Jada' last='Freeland'] making major contributions. 16 Red came within one win of a Liberty bid in Kansas City, so this bid tournament is a chance to seal the deal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, <strong>VCNebraska 16 Elite</strong> is a formidable first-round opponent. It's a team that features small-town standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='231947' first='Kaydence' last='Haase'], [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik']. Like most of the others in this group, 16 Elite hopes to build off some Show Me momentum and carry it into this high-stakes bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Banzai VBC 16 Select</strong> is a worthy choice at #3. We'll see one of Banzai's most talented lineups take the floor for a shot at a GJNC bid. [player_tooltip player_id='464932' first='Angela' last='Berger'] is bound to make some head-turning defensive plays to let [player_tooltip player_id='518566' first='Mia' last='Torchia'] run the offense at setter. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='396748' first='Hunter' last='MacLeod'] in the middle, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Select's first opponent is <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Silver</strong>, which is building off a fifth-place finish at the Show Me Qualifier. That triumph came with an 8-1 overall record, so 16 Silver is not accustomed to losing in high-pressure environments. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='349417' first='Halle' last='Nienaber'] has taken over the offense in recent weeks. She is aided by a stout group of backcourt defenders with [player_tooltip player_id='349411' first='Kailynn' last='Melendez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396737' first='Danielle' last='Vallinch'] leading the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier gets another entry here with <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Black</strong> filling the #2 spot. 16 Black snagged a USA bid in 2023 and could earn a repeat trip to GJNC this weekend. Versatile athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='253925' first='Kayelyn' last='Liebentritt'], [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='226172' first='Sydney' last='Rogokos'] are poised to step up as the spotlight grows brighter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we have our first [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] entry in the tournament. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Lime is seeking an "underdog path" to a bid, and the team has ample talent to get it done. During our recent Kansas City trip, we took note of dynamic attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='518590' first='Ellie' last='Blomstedt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396785' first='Sydney' last='Burkey']. [player_tooltip player_id='396782' first='Addison' last='Kastanek'] is also cementing her place as 16 Lime's defensive anchor. This squad has all the positive traits you'd expect from a [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1777390114341023822","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1777390114341023822 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1776733616795521121","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1776733616795521121 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">15s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(1) MVP 15 Red [BYE]</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(4) [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Lime vs. (5) Banzai VBC 15 Power</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(3) South Central NE 15 Black vs. (6) Premier Nebraska 15 Silver</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(2) Premier Nebraska 15 Red [BYE]</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're always quick to point out that the 15s age group is unpredictable. The Great Plains Bid Tournament usually offers a good reminder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] swipes the #1 seed again. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] 15 Red</strong> features a pair of Nebraska prep stars in Pierce's [player_tooltip player_id='498978' first='Adrienne' last='Riggert'] and Ponca's [player_tooltip player_id='465410' first='Ashtyn' last='Pick']. They are accompanied by Dara Mollet, a can't-miss middle blocker who brings a ton of range in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Lime</strong> has captured our attention at several events this year. [player_tooltip player_id='510900' first='Raegan' last='Lehr'] runs a precise offense that allows terminal hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='521285' first='Kaylynn' last='Pickering'] and [player_tooltip player_id='452566' first='Elaina' last='Roger'] to heat up. 15 Lime's tournament journey starts as the #4 seed, and we like [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s chances in the 15s field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't overlook <strong>Banzai VBC 15 Power</strong>, though. This team is about to add a wealth of 2027 talent to our watch list by the end of the club season. Multi-talented athletes like Jaya Pillay and [player_tooltip player_id='773422' first='Sophia' last='Torchia'] will be worth watching as 15 Power vies for a GJNC trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time for South Central NE to join the conversation. We just saw this club's top 17s and 16s groups compete in the first weekend of the Show Me Qualifier. The 16s repeated their Liberty triumph from a year ago. Now, we await the emergence of <strong>South Central NE 15 Black</strong>. A top-five finish in Show Me's 15 American division will have South Central NE primed for another bid triumph. Quality first contacts will come from defensive specialists [player_tooltip player_id='591602' first='Kamryn' last='Steinhauer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591600' first='Zaya' last='Lewis']. We'll also put the microscope on the middle duo featuring [player_tooltip player_id='591595' first='Alyssa' last='Janzen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591597' first='Katie' last='Baldwin']. This will be a huge learning experience for us as we hone in on the next wave of central Nebraska stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Silver</strong> just earned the same Show Me placement as South Central NE, so this 3-6 matchup could be a barnburner. [player_tooltip player_id='521175' first='Ava' last='Johnson'] has given a lot to this 15 Silver team through her setter-hitter role. [player_tooltip player_id='521170' first='Kara' last='Lind'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521168' first='Jordynn' last='Devers'] are two more lethal scoring threats along the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll wrap up with another big-time contender from the Premier camp. <strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Red</strong> has a first-round bye and will try to use that advantage this weekend. Of course, the team also has the advantage of wielding talented hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='521183' first='Lauren' last='Eck'], [player_tooltip player_id='521179' first='Claire' last='Chapman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='521185' first='Brynn' last='Rasmussen']. The pressure of a bid tournament will not be a problem for 15 Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1751609203402121632","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1751609203402121632 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->