All 16U Nebraska Teams Taking on AAU Nationals
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Let’s peek ahead at Wave 3. Rest assured, we will have discussions on all of Nebraska’s top standouts from Wave 2, particularly among the 15U divisions in Orlando. We previewed that list of entries here, and we’re about to do…
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Continue ReadingLet’s peek ahead at Wave 3.
Rest assured, we will have discussions on all of Nebraska’s top standouts from Wave 2, particularly among the 15U divisions in Orlando. We previewed that list of entries here, and we’re about to do the same with the 16s. A new age group is preparing to enter the spotlight.
Here’s an overview of the Cornhusker State representatives in Wave 3 at AAU Nationals.
16 Open
Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi
The Cornhusker State is in good hands for the 16 Open race.
Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi enters the mix as one of several Nebraska Elite entries across the AAU age spectrum. We’ll point to the Midwest Power League and Show Me Qualifier as two venues where 16 Lokahi has shown its best stuff. High-flying pin hitters like Cosette Bartling Cosette Bartling 5'10" | OH Elkhorn South | 2026 State NE , Audrey Bassett Audrey Bassett 5'8" | OH Omaha Burke | 2026 State NE , and Mylee Tichota Mylee Tichota 5'11" | OH Yutan | 2026 State NE will be asked to shoulder a lot of swings in Orlando. We’ll also be looking for the outstanding backcourt duo of Elena Estudillo Elena Estudillo 5'6" | DS/L Fremont | 2026 State NE and McKinzie Brandt McKinzie Brandt 5'7" | DS/L Fremont | 2026 State NE to take the next step against the nation’s best. What an opportunity.
16 Premier
Nebraska Juniors 16 Black
Nebraska ONE 16 Black
Here’s a fun Wave 3 pairing to watch.
Nebraska Juniors 16 Black has challenged itself through Open-level competitions this year, so AAU Nationals is just another step in the journey. Annie Backemeyer Annie Backemeyer 5'9" | MB Elmwood-Murdock | 2026 State NE and Ashley Beethe Ashley Beethe 6'0" | OH Johnson County Central | 2026 State NE are an elite scoring duo from the small-town scene, but 16 Black’s offensive strength goes beyond these two. London Meints London Meints 5'8" | OH Beatrice | 2027 NE , Samantha Plas Samantha Plas 5'11" | OH Lincoln East | 2026 State NE , and Elzada Gernstein Elzada Gernstein 5'10" | MB Grand Island | 2026 NE have cemented their vital roles with Nebraska Juniors and will keep developing at AAUs.
The 16 Premier division also welcomes Nebraska ONE 16 Black, a group with ample Nationals experience on the USAV side. Orlando offers a chance for this group to gel further after several highlight moments in 2024. Versatile attackers dot the entire Nebraska ONE lineup, so pay attention to names like Carlie Talbott Carlie Talbott 5'7" | RS Norris | 2026 State NE , Evelyn Timmons Evelyn Timmons 6'0" | OH Fairbury | 2027 NE , and Alivia Gustafson Alivia Gustafson 5'10" | RS Lincoln Southwest | 2026 State NE .
16 Club
Club Legacy 16 Alpha
River City Jrs 16 Navy
VCNebraska 16 Black
This group is stacked. Keep an eye on Nebraska’s trio of championship contenders in 16 Club.
Club Legacy 16 Alpha has always been a tough competitor in Nebraska’s 16s scene. This is a great chance to prove that aptitude on the national stage, and 16 Alpha has the talent to get it done. Addison Janke Addison Janke 5'8" | S Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE runs a smooth offense that features a heavy dose of Resa Milbourn Resa Milbourn 5'9" | OH NE and Annabella Suljuzovic Annabella Suljuzovic 5'8" | MB Omaha Marian | 2026 State NE . Jane Kubat Jane Kubat 5'6" | DS/L Omaha Westside | 2026 State NE will anchor the defense.
We have fond memories of River City Jrs 16 Navy competing at high-profile events, including the Show Me Qualifier. This squad incorporates a fascinating medley of 2026s and 2027s to produce an impressive on-court product. Emeline Myers Emeline Myers 5'1" | DS/L Millard South | 2026 State NE commands the backcourt and gives plenty of perfect passes to setter Mariah Dutcher Mariah Dutcher 5'5" | S Omaha Gross Catholic | 2026 State NE . Faith Wiechman Faith Wiechman 5'9" | MB NE and Tre’Sor Porter carry the torch for the Class of 2027.
Of course, we can’t forget about VCNebraska 16 Black. Here’s another group that used Show Me as a launching pad for a late-season surge. 16 Black thrives off the gritty defense of Piper Petersen Piper Petersen 5'8" | DS/L Lincoln Southwest | 2026 State NE , which sets up ample scoring opportunities for frontcourt stars like Raleigh Bowen Raleigh Bowen 6'0" | OH Lincoln North Star | 2026 State NE and Lauren Eggerling Lauren Eggerling 5'10" | OH Lincoln Northwest | 2026 State NE .
16 Aspire
Nebraska Elite 16 Nova
Here’s our second Nebraska Elite entry on the 16U side.
Nebraska Elite 16 Nova has a great shot to make some noise in 16 Aspire. We’ll keep harping on this team’s balance of ball control and frontcourt firepower. Maggie McMahon Maggie McMahon 5'6" | S Skutt Catholic | 2026 NE has been a consistent leader for 16 Nova and has a ton of offensive weapons to wield in any rotation. Reese Stradal Reese Stradal 5'10" | OH Gretna | 2026 State NE , Halle Mason Halle Mason 5'8" | RS Gretna | 2026 NE , and Reese Blankenau Reese Blankenau 5'10" | MB Gretna East | 2026 State NE are just a few of the 16 Nova athletes who have taken big steps forward this year.
16 Spirit
Nebraska Elite 16 Heat
River City Jrs 16 Red
One more for Nebraska Elite and River City Jrs .
Nebraska Elite 16 Heat features several players we’re assessing for our upcoming rankings update. Julia Perrotto Julia Perrotto 5'7" | RS NE ‘s stable presence in the lineup has been a strong point for 16 Heat. We’re also looking for Haley Mattox Haley Mattox 5'8" | RS NE and Morgan Zabloudil Morgan Zabloudil 5'9" | RS Gretna | 2026 NE to build on some positive momentum at AAUs.
Depth is a serious advantage for River City Jrs in the 16s age group. 16 Red will trot out a stout group of emerging talents, headlined by Riley Homan Riley Homan 5'6" | S Bellevue East | 2026 NE and Taryn Lewis. And, as with 16 Heat, several of 16 Red’s standouts are ready to join our next iteration of the 2026 watch list.
16 Elite
Nebraska Juniors 16 Red
Finally, we’re going two-deep in the Nebraska Juniors camp.
Nebraska Juniors 16 Red knows how to show up in big moments. We documented 16 Red’s hot start in the Show Me Qualifier, culminating in a 3-0 record after the opening round of pool play. Outside hitter Maddie Johnson Maddie Johnson 5'10" | OH Lincoln East | 2026 NE was a major part of that effort. Sophie Gleason Sophie Gleason 5'9" | OH Beatrice | 2026 NE and Sutton Classen Sutton Classen 5'8" | OH Lincoln Southwest | 2026 NE also had breakout performances in Kansas City, and we’re ready to cover the next wave of stock risers from Orlando.
Let's peek ahead at Wave 3.
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