Under-the-Radar Nebraska 2025s to Watch at GJNC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eyes forward. GJNC will be here soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a good amount of time to preview everything to watch at Nationals this summer. Still, we can look ahead at some athletes with a lot at stake heading into GJNC. Several 2025s fall into this category, so we're working hard to give them a piece of the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska still has under-the-radar 2025 talent hoping to make a statement at club volleyball's biggest event. Here are a few we'll be watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155055"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Pillay will do anything to help her team succeed. We saw it last fall when she seized an outside hitter role as Papio High marched to the Class A title match. This versatile athlete has experience at just about every frontcourt position imaginable, including middle blocker. Banzai VBC 17 Select has allowed Pillay's wide skill set to flourish. That eventually yielded a runner-up finish at WCQ to punch 17 Select's GJNC ticket. Look out for Pillay's continued progression as she logs another moment on a big stage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["495052"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"We're not done with Banzai VBC yet. Williams is building off a breakout junior campaign in which she led Gretna East's floor defense during the school's inaugural volleyball season. All that valuable experience is translating to sustained club success with 17 Select, a group loaded with backcourt talent. Williams has extraordinary defensive instincts and will never shy away from playing low to the floor. Banzai VBC's defensive specialists will be key to the club's journey through the 17 Liberty division.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["189326"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It's no secret that [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy operates through its unflappable ball control. That's where Gable brings her valuable contributions in a variety of roles. She can sub in for any of 17 Synergy's pin hitters and boost the team's defense in any zone. Gable has even filled in as a frontcourt opposite in past seasons. No matter which lineup [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] deploys, Gable is able to mesh with her fellow defenders to form an impenetrable end line. We'll get another reminder of this at GJNC.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["269932"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Seagren's career path has been fascinating to follow. She entered the spotlight with Oakland-Craig High School and eventually moved over to Wahoo's powerhouse program. On the club side, Seagren has been a valuable asset for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] who can split time between middle blocker and opposite. Her ability to play these roles interchangeably is a true u0022x-factoru0022 for VCN 17 Elite. The team's 17 Open triumph final came in Salt Lake City, and Seagren will be prepared for this major opportunity.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["288606"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Kerkman's resurgence at outside hitter is becoming a difference-maker for Premier Nebraska 17 Gold. As we covered all the Show Me Qualifier action last month, we were taken aback by how well Kerkman terminated in tricky situations. She found open spaces with ease while also offering the in-system firepower that 17 Gold needed. Kerkman eventually helped 17 Gold earn its GJNC bid through the Great Plains Region, and expectations are high heading into the summer.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["189350"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u0022Wildcardu0022 players have been a frequent discussion topic in recent features, and Bosiljevac fits this mold in the Class of 2025. She first landed on our radar as a shutdown middle blocker who could take over the net with her physicality. But Bosiljevac has also put out some great opposite reps for Premier Nebraska 17 Black, and the Windy City Qualifier was the peak of this production. A division championship in Chicago was a pivotal moment to put Bosiljevac and her teammates back on the map before Vegas.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["213982"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Palmer's quick arm remains a focal point for Premier 17 Red's offense. We've known about her knack for scoring on the right side, but Palmer has recently evolved her left-side hitting repertoire in big venues. She delivered plenty of heat on the outside as 17 Red claimed its bid at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. We might still see Palmer on the right side this summer, but 17 Red clearly has plenty of options.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["449608"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Few Great Plains Region teams have dished out as many thrilling moments as [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black. We have fond memories of the squad's Show Me Qualifier championship, and Ropte was at the center of it all. This Waverly native knows how terminate even when two blockers are committed to slowing her down. Ropte also expands 17 Black's range by dishing some quality swings out of the pipe. Six-rotation standouts are a luxury, and 17 Black has one in Ropte.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["342564"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Let's stick with this 17 Black roster. Merten always seems to bring her best when the qualifier grind starts, and that was the case again in 2024. She has evolved into an unstoppable 'gap' hitter who can efficiently push past opposing blocks. Merten's lateral quickness allows her to run in tandem with her setter when passes are drifting toward the pin. All of these technical skills give Merten an edge as she gears up for another championship run.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["342616"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Why not include another Lincoln East middle blocker? Falkinburg carries the Spartan banner with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black, which earned its bid via a podium finish at the Windy City Qualifier. 17 Black is able to harness Falkinburg's spectacular range, whether it's in front of the setter or behind. She has mastered the two-footed takeoff and can act as a pin hitter in first-ball scenarios. Falkinburg has seen a few tournaments in her prep career, so the bright lights of GJNC will suit her well.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664d34fb08351"} /-->