Which Nebraska Teams Gained the Most Momentum this April?
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What a month it was. April is a make-or-break month on the club calendar. It’s a month packed with high-stakes qualifiers, regional action, and everything between. Getting on an April hot streak is never a bad idea, especially with Nationals…
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Continue ReadingWhat a month it was.
April is a make-or-break month on the club calendar. It’s a month packed with high-stakes qualifiers, regional action, and everything between. Getting on an April hot streak is never a bad idea, especially with Nationals looming in the summer.
Nebraska is loaded with teams and athletes that took advantage of this pivotal time. Before we turn toward May, let’s highlight a few Great Plains squads that might be peaking at the right time.
VCNebraska 18 Elite
What a way to cap a club career.
Yesterday’s feature detailed VCNebraska 18 Elite’s climb through the 18 National division at last weekend’s 18s GJNC. The Baltimore trip started with a 6-0 record through two days of competition, placing 18 Elite in the division’s quarterfinal round.
That positive momentum yielded a Monday victory over OTVA to reach the semis. VCNebraska ‘s spot on the podium is no surprise, but this was a testament to 18 Elite willingness to rise to the occasion. It’s a Lincoln superstar team featuring Malayah Long Malayah Long 6'0" | S Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State #142 Nation NE , Emerson Lionberger Emerson Lionberger 6'0" | MB Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE , Madison Rink Madison Rink 6'2" | MB Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE , Mallorie Meyer Mallorie Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln East | 2024 State NE , and several others. All of the aforementioned names are preparing to make an impact this fall at the D1 level, and we can’t wait to see them thrive.
Look out for 18 Elite’s future collegiate standouts. They just found a new gear.
Banzai VBC 17 Select
Here’s a group we’re ready to see at Nationals this summer.
Banzai VBC 17 Select locked up a 17 Liberty bid with a runner-up finish at Chicago’s Windy City Qualifier. That event ushered in the end of March, but 17 Select is not slowing down in late-season action. Another second-place triumph at the Great Plains Regional Championships has 17 Select aiming higher for GJNC.
The roster features a wealth of players who have dominated Nebraska’s prep scene. Raeghan Craven Raeghan Craven 5'9" | S Ashland-Greenwood | 2025 State NE keeps guiding Banzai VBC at the setter spot. She is connecting well with talented hitters like Abree Plueger Abree Plueger 5'10" | RS Platteview | 2025 State NE and Lilly Pillay Lilly Pillay 5'8" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2025 State NE . Zoe Petersen Zoe Petersen 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista | 2025 State NE has made her mark on the outside. Margaret Williams Margaret Williams 5'4" | DS/L Gretna East | 2025 State NE and Chloe Teter Chloe Teter 5'5" | DS/L Millard West | 2025 State NE run the backcourt.
This won’t be 17 Select’s first Nationals experience, but they’re poised to make 2024 the team’s best year yet.
River City Jrs 17 Navy
We’ve wanted to talk about this River City Jrs team for a while.
17 Navy posted some solid April results, including a top-five finish at the JVA World Challenge. The team then made the quick turnaround to the Sioux City Slam and challenged itself against 17s and 18s competitors.
Setter Madison Emery Madison Emery 5'9" | S Bellevue West | 2025 State NE has climbed the Class of 2025 ladder since she helped Bellevue West reach last fall’s state tournament. Lillian Vitera Lillian Vitera 5'10" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2025 State NE is another River City Jrs athlete with plenty of tournament experience and anchors 17 Navy’s middle blocker spot. Look out for Anna Faiman Anna Faiman 5'5" | DS/L Bellevue West | 2025 NE and Addie Schuka Addie Schuka 5'2" | DS/L Gretna | 2025 State NE in the back row, too.
Club Legacy 16 Alpha
Let’s get a quick update from the Club Legacy camp.
16 Alpha started its April journey with a division title at the Great Plains Regional Championships. This triumph was a good lead-in to a trip down south to participate in the Adidas Lone Star Classic. Club Legacy compiled a winning record in a massive field of 16 Liberty squads.
This team has shown great chemistry ever since last year’s 15 campaign. It all starts with starting setter Addison Janke Addison Janke 5'8" | S Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE , who consistently puts her teammates in favorable positions. That leads to floor-denting kills from athletes like Annabella Suljuzovic Annabella Suljuzovic 5'8" | MB Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE and Jetta Sattem Jetta Sattem 5'10" | MB Douglas County West | 2026 NE . It also helps to have Omaha Westside standout Jane Kubat Jane Kubat 5'6" | DS/L Omaha Westside | 2026 State NE leading the team’s floor defense and serve receive.
Premier Nebraska 16 Black
This is an obvious one.
In case you missed our GPR Bid Tournament coverage, Premier 16 Black compiled a perfect record with zero set losses to swipe the region’s 16 National bid. We also have to note a solid outing in the Show Me Qualifier’s 16 USA division.
Multi-talented players run the show for 16 Black. That list includes Evynn Olsen Evynn Olsen 5'8" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE and Maggie Miller Maggie Miller 5'8" | DS/L Gretna | 2026 NE , who can contribute as attackers and ball-control specialists. Don’t forget about other electric attackers like Taylor Elsasser Taylor Elsasser 5'10" | OH Millard North | 2026 State NE , Ellie Ortmeier Ellie Ortmeier 5'11" | MB Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE , and Kayelyn Liebentritt Kayelyn Liebentritt 5'11" | RS Skutt Catholic | 2026 State NE .
Another GJNC trip is in the works. 16 Black has been here before.
Nebraska ONE 15 Black
We’re already excited about Nebraska ONE ‘s future leaders.
April was a busy month for 15 Black after a varied slate of qualifiers and regional contests. A fruitful stay at the Show Me Qualifier was a good way to start it off. Nebraska ONE remained a consistent force against regional competition at the Midwest Power League.
Like many Nebraska ONE teams, ball control is a major strength for 15 Black. Haleah Schuerman Haleah Schuerman DS/L Wilber-Clatonia | 2027 NE bolsters this phase at libero, allowing Makenna Bowman Makenna Bowman 5'7" | S NE to set her smooth offense. Aubrie Lierman Aubrie Lierman 5'10" | MB Waverly | 2026 NE and Lauren McKernan Lauren McKernan 5'9" | MB Lincoln North Star | 2027 NE have separated themselves as high-impact attackers this spring, so keep an eye on this duo on the prep side.
Nebraska Elite 15 Prime
Nebraska Elite enters the conversation, and this club has serious depth at the 15s level.
15 Prime had an April journey similar to Nebraska ONE . The Show Me Qualifier tested this group on the national stage before a run of impressive victories against GPR foes. The 2024 season lays the foundation for a few more memorable seasons in this age group.
The talent on 15 Prime’s roster helps, too. Molly McGreer has entered the spotlight through her fantastic defensive displays. Nevaeh Hilderbrand Nevaeh Hilderbrand 5'11" | OH Gretna | 2027 NE and Callie Petersen Callie Petersen 6'0" | OH Elkhorn | 2027 NE are indispensable contributors in the front row and allow the team to match up with anyone.