What to Watch For at 2025 Midwest Power League Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest Power League is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend marks the return of one of the most prominent competitions in the Great Plains Region. The Midwest Power League makes its annual return to show us how Nebraska rivals stack up in the early-season development phase. Sunday will feature 15s-18s, and we have many lingering questions and storylines heading into the day's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few things to watch at 2025's first iteration of the Midwest Power League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":731212,"width":"290px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/11-Elaina-Roger.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-731212" style="width:290px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roger</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">First Impressions</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This event will offer first impressions for many of Nebraska's 2025 squads. It's a chance to embrace the newness while catching up with the seasoned teams with many returning faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] is one of many clubs that will come into focus this weekend. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black and 17 Blue will both reside in the 17 Club pool, giving us plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with this group. We're excited to see how Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] distributes to her collection of frontcourt talent, including pin hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='349484' first='Piper' last='Bellamy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349476' first='Lauren' last='Eggerling'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black also joins the fray after an impressive late-season surge to end last year's club season. [player_tooltip player_id='452566' first='Elaina' last='Roger'] is a high-impact addition to this squad, and she's accompanied by returning stars like [player_tooltip player_id='521256' first='Emmalyn' last='Quinn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521233' first='Ella' last='Twarling'] in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] will be here. We can't help but hone in on [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 17 Navy after the team's AAU Nationals triumph last summer. The emergence of frontcourt stars like [player_tooltip player_id='518569' first='Emma' last='Ammon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349475' first='Jazmin' last='Garcia-Alvarez'] has this group poised for another breakthrough. 17 Navy will be accompanied by several other River City entries, down to the 15s age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't forget about Nebraska Juniors. This club has made strides at past Midwest Power League events and brings representatives in every age group. Nebraska Juniors is anchored by a wealth of small-town stars who are eager to make their 2025 debuts on the regional stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, while we're discussing first impressions, we have a Power League lineup loaded with 15s teams we haven't seen yet. Get ready for the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576590,"width":"267px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/56-Emma-Ammon.jpg?w=988" alt="" class="wp-image-576590" style="width:267px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ammon</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Age Crossovers</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a common theme at the Midwest Power League: teams will climb the age ladder to challenge themselves against older opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no surprise to see [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy hop two age groups to join the 18 Open division. This stacked squad did the same for last weekend's Nebraska Elite Classic and will look for redemption after coming up just short against Premier Nebraska 18 Gold in bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite 16 Apex is also ascending two age groups to compete in this pool. It's a worthy move for a team seeking back-to-back GJNC trips at the Open level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska and Nebraska Elite are also bringing their top 17s squads into the 18 Open fray. This is our chance to catch up with elite scorers like [player_tooltip player_id='275935' first='Addison' last='West'] for Premier Nebraska and [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett'] for Nebraska Elite. Nebraska Elite 17-1 was a clear standout at last weekend's tournament, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll also see how clubs like [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] and Nebraska Elite fare while bringing their 15s groups into 16 Open. These early litmus tests will give us a good bearing on where teams stand heading into the qualifier gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Club Depth</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's all about depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our goal this year is to cover as many athletes as possible. That's our goal every year, actually. But the Midwest Power League entry list demonstrates how soaring club participation will help us achieve this goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite is a shining example of depth given all the teams enrolled to compete this weekend. The 18 Open group has three Nebraska Elite entries from the 18s down to the 16s. Elite also features a pair of teams in divisions like 17 Club, 16 Open, and 15 Open. If you want to go all-in on Nebraska Elite, the 15 Club division has five entries from the host institution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] is also sending the cavalry. We're eager to see [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Lime and 16 Lime compete side by side in 17 Club. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] is doing the same with many of its teams, including stacking two teams of the same age group in a single pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all lays the foundation for a quick expansion of our rankings and watch lists. What an opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->