Great Plains Region 17 Open Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qualified Great Plains teams will be flocking to Mandalay Bay Convention Center this week in Las Vegas. The 17's Open Division is represented by Nebraska One Synergy 17's and VCN 17's Elite. Let's take a look at the ultra competitive 17 Open Division starting with Nebraska One Synergy who takes a 32-16 record into Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Commit [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] is quick on defense and gets so many good touches on the ball wherever the ball is hit. She also has great hands if the setter is out to keep Synergy's offense in sync. She has been taking some reps at the setting position as well if they run a 6-2. Keri overall has great ball control whether it is on serve receive or floor defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] is a fantastic six rotation player who plays much bigger than 5 '9". The Long Beach State commit can jump out of the gym and is super athletic. She is a player you want to get the ball to if you need a quick side out. If she is not on the pin hitting she plays a great libero and has fantastic ball control for Synergy. Jelinek led the Titans in a State Runner-Up finish by hammering 439 kills on the season. Including 14 in the State Final against Omaha Skutt Catholic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matthea Dalton is another really athletic outside who plays much bigger than 5'9” as well. She has a heavy arm and can power through the block. Dalton is a smart attacker and can find the open floor with a roll shot over the block or a sharp, short finesse tip. The outside eclipsed 1260 career kills this past fall for the Fremont Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2027 Setter [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'] has been running the Synergy offense for a long time. She is a steady and calm floor general out there. She can run a fast tempo offense and has strong wrists. She betters the ball with each set. Boesiger has a great driving jump float that takes opponents out of system easily. Boesiger racked up 76 aces in her freshman campaign at Norris. A 2027 setter to keep on your radar!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'] takes big swings at the outside pin. At 5'11” can hit the ball through the block or does a great job of using high hands to get sideouts for Synergy. She is also very effective on the right pin as well. Hagedorn does a great job of getting out and transitioning giving her plenty of time to read the block and floor defense&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VCN 17 Elite punched their ticket in Salt Lake City. Let's take a look at this talented squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] has been on the Prep Dig radar for a while now. She shone at the Prep DIg Top 250 Expo. She is really explosive and has only gotten stronger. She has a fast arm swing and can put the ball away quickly. Definitely don't want a tight pass to the net for opponents or she will make you pay. Venable is super athletic and also plays well on the opposite pin as well. Keep her on your radar!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 '0 " Outside [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] hammered 476 kills for the Grand Island Islanders this past fall season. She has picked up where she left off for club season with VCN. She has great length and long levers. Traudt is strong and can power through blocks or hit a great cut shot between the block. She does a great job of finding the ball and takes great shots down the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 setter [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] out of LIncoln Southwest has great hands and ball placement to give her pin hitters a hay day. She can also run a fast tempo offense as well. Her quick 6 set behind the setter is money. She is really fun to watch on the floor and brings a ton of energy to her teammates as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 '4'' Seton Hall Middle Commit [player_tooltip player_id='189413' first='Alexandra' last='Rasmussen'] has a quick arm and has so much length with her frame. She is hard to block with a quick tempo set. She also moves well laterally and is a strong blocker. She is a great get for Seton Hall and is fun to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 Open Division will kick off on July 3rd. Lots of great teams and players to watch! Let's see what the Great Plains Region teams can do against the best of the best!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->