Nebraska’s Under-the-Radar 2026s to Follow at NLQ #1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 still has a lot to prove on the club stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneapolis will be prime territory for under-the-radar 2026s around the club landscape. This class will factor heavily in bid aspirations for the 18s and 17s teams we'll cover at 2025's first Northern Lights Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we're paying particularly close attention to how the Great Plains Region fares on the national stage. Keep tabs on these 2026s as they compete against elite foes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349455"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679ace049c505"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">NLQ will offer opportunities to watch many athletes mesh with new clubs for the 2025 season. Gustafson is a prime example, and she's building off an exceptional early showing with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black at the Midwest Power League. Despite being new to the VCN gym, Gustafson lit up the scoreboard as a go-to left-side attacker. This is quite a development after Gustafson spent considerable time on the right pin to begin her club career. Her trajectory is pointing upward before this weekend's trip to Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524200"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add3a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brummund's stock has skyrocketed since last year's fall season. She was an incredibly effective backcourt substitute for Omaha Skutt Catholic and was especially lethal behind the service line. Brummund has climbed to VCN's 17 Elite squad and is passing dimes in the team's contrasting jersey. This 2026 libero can anchor any area of the court and is poised to keep climbing our rankings. It's never too late to be a stock riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396748"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add3f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MacLeod has been a transformative athlete in the Banzai VBC gym. Her unmatched physicality and attacking range make her a constant scoring threat from the middle blocker position. Banzai also knows how to extend MacLeod's first-ball routes to make her a pin hitter if necessary. MacLeod got her chance to shine with Bennington's 2024 squad and is poised for another big season with 17 Select. The 17 USA division awaits--a big step up for one of Banzai's best rosters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349424"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add443"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Elite is compiling some impressive talent at the opposite position. Mason leads this position for the Nebraska Elite 17 Motion team, which will look to climb the 17 American ladder at NLQ. Whenever 17 Motion needs an out-of-system kill, Mason is eager to take swings that would normally go to the other pin. This Gretna standout makes the most of those opportunities and will receive even more volume in Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275897"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add489"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thaden returns to anchor a physical, intimidating Nebraska Elite 17 Phoenix frontcourt. This Millard West junior has a rare combination of size and lateral quickness, making Thaden an ideal choice for the M1 position. She is eager to run behind the setter and terminate on the slide before opposing blockers can organize. 17 Phoenix will lean on Thaden's high-efficiency scoring while measuring up in NLQ's coveted Open division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349465"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add4d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Club Legacy 17 Bravo features quite a cast of under-the-radar 2026s worth following. Cox stands out on this roster after logging a career-best junior season with Omaha Mercy last fall. She's a versatile pin hitter who could also make some considerable backcourt contributions for 17 Bravo. Cox's agility and instincts make her a tough player to thwart no matter who she slots into the starting lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349408"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679acf5add520"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 17 Silver joins its 17 Gold counterparts in the NLQ fray. This combo will allow us to enjoy Premier's extraordinary depth in this age group, especially with talented pin hitters like Douan running the show for 17 Silver. The Bennington junior is a do-everything opposite who can run quick patterns behind the setter. This effectively makes Douan a middle-opposite hybrid, making her difficult to track along the net. Opposing teams will have to be on top of their scouting reports when 17 Silver takes on NLQ's 17 American division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->