More Surging Nebraska Teams after President’s Day Classic (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As promised, we're back for more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday's feature highlighted several <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/02/more-surging-nebraska-teams-after-presidents-day-classic-pt-1/">Nebraska 17s and 18s</a> teams on the rise after strong outings at Omaha's ASICS President's Day Classic. Our discussion continues with the 15s and 16s, two age groups with a lot to gain through these early-season pressure tests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many Great Plains groups were up for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Elite 16 Surge</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only fitting that 16 Surge gets a nod on our series of surging teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite 16 Surge competed in a 16 Club division loaded with prospective championship contenders. Despite a large field of teams, 16 Surge found early separation with a 5-0 start. This led to a Gold bracket berth and a run to the semifinal round, securing a podium finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad has put several new 2027s on our rankings radar. [player_tooltip player_id='773372' first='Melia' last='Claussen'] was a steady contributor at the setter spot, allowing [player_tooltip player_id='521244' first='Quinn' last='Sanmann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521242' first='Alexis' last='Hewitt'] to remain lethal attackers in the front row. Standout libero [player_tooltip player_id='521215' first='Mary' last='Bahle'] took care of vast defensive responsibilities throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Elite 16 Apex</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite has quite a collection of athletes in the 16s age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Apex has been a persistent force on the regional scene through the first month of the 2025 season. The same core group clinched an Open bid last year, so 16 Apex will not shy away from tough competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This fearless attitude was evident again as 16 Apex earned a third-place finish in Omaha's 16 Open division. The weekend started with a five-match winning streak, which included triumphs over Great Plains foes like Junior Bisons and [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Apex still thrives in its familiar two-setter system, allowing [player_tooltip player_id='458183' first='Kherington' last='Snider'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521204' first='Taylor' last='Barcel'] to pilot the offense out of the back row. High-impact additions like [player_tooltip player_id='508161' first='Nevaeh' last='Hilderbrand'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773394' first='Brielle' last='Carmichael'] have given this Nebraska Elite squad a new look, but the standards are still as high as ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567450,"width":"381px","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/5/2024/07/450451042_1094296069034928_9178719672011438109_n.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-567450" style="width:381px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Snider</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Juniors 16 Red</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't forget about the collection of 2027 talent at Nebraska Juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Juniors 16 Red was among the club's top performers last weekend, compiling a 6-1 record in the 16 Select division. Ball control has emerged as a major strength for this group with [player_tooltip player_id='521287' first='Bourbyn' last='Jensen'] anchoring the libero spot. Anna Vodicka and Sydney Nass share the setting duties and should each land on our next 2027 watch list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Titanium</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On to the 15s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Titanium added to its impressive 2025 resume with a runner-up finish in Omaha's 15 Open division. We had already seen this group thrive at the Midwest Power League, so the continued success on the regional stage is no surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Impressive physicality is paving the way for this team. [player_tooltip player_id='749311' first='Haylee' last='Wiig'] is a multi-talented attacker who can play on the right side or in the middle. Pin hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='774703' first='Maisey' last='McCarty'] and Ella Peterson have been persistent scorers, even in out-of-system situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We learned a lot about VCNebraska through last weekend's event--especially at the 15s level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VCNebraska 15 Black made big early-season gains with a second-place finish in the 15 Club field. This journey featured a handful of clutch victories in must-win situations, propelling 15 Black to the championship match against Midwest Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774605' first='McKenzie' last='Wehner'] had an exceptional weekend on the outside, and she was accompanied by several other breakout performers. [player_tooltip player_id='575226' first='Isabelle' last='Liekhus'] was dominant in the middle, and [player_tooltip player_id='774612' first='Braylyn' last='Wood'] provided pin-hitting firepower on the other side of the dial. Expand that 2028 watch list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->