Nebraska NLQ Team Spotlight: Nebraska ONE 18 Black

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not give a shoutout to the seasoned veterans?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 18 Black's collection of recognizable prep stars traveled to Minneapolis to compete in NLQ's 18 USA division. These pools were full of tough competitors, but 18 Black showed remarkable resilience and cohesive play on this prominent national stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one's for the 18s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Midwestern Influence</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] battled with several Midwestern powerhouses and neighborly rivals during its Minneapolis stay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This theme was established immediately as 18 Black embarked on a three-set faceoff with Iowa PowerPlex. Although 18 Black suffered a narrow defeat, this setback allowed [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] to make a dramatic bounceback bid. The team triumphed over the Badger Region's Madtown 181 National squad with one of the wildest scorelines of the event: a 25-23 third set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, despite a disappointing start to the event, [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] had a chance to reach Round 2. This goal was realized with a dominant sweep over CVC, a club from the Dakotas. On to Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regional foes persisted with Iowa Impact and Mizuno Northern Lights appearing on the schedule. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] scored its next two victories against Iowa Rockets and MVP, further solidifying 18 Black's stance against nearby foes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cohesion and Consistency</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 18 Black has a clear identity and a preferred lineup. It's probably fair to expect this kind of consistency at the 18s level, but this continuity helps 18 Black produce a steady rhythm during the long grind of a national qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Lutheran state champion [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'] continues to guide the offense at the setter spot. Her mature command of tempo and location gives her hitters plenty of windows to hit through. Donovan is also physical enough to be a blocking force at the net and will not hesitate to rack up a few attacks on the second ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donovan's favorite setting targets include [player_tooltip player_id='342612' first='Sierra' last='Crist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342615' first='Shelby' last='Harding'], the primary left-side hitters for 18 Black. Harding earned valuable state championship experience with Lincoln Southwest over the past couple of years, culminating in a 2023 state title. Crist, meanwhile, has been one of the state's most lethal scorers for Crete High School throughout her prep career. Both apply these accolades to the club circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kicking off the 18 USA journey with <a href="https://twitter.com/We_are_NEONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@We_are_NEONE</a> 18 Black.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='342615' first='Shelby' last='Harding'] will be a key terminator on the outside this weekend. <a href="https://t.co/P1Yc4zqcRi">pic.twitter.com/P1Yc4zqcRi</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885337495442718946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='497360' first='Haidyn' last='Case'] is another important wildcard in the left-side hitter group. We saw her take some swings in the frontcourt at NLQ, but Case can also lock down the middle-back area as a defensive substitute. Even with 18 Black's consistent lineup, the team still has options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris standout [player_tooltip player_id='495061' first='Kate' last='Carnie'] rounds out the group of pin hitters. She's 18 Black's leading opposite and is gaining momentum since seeing the Class B mountaintop with Norris last fall. Carnie is deceptively strong at the net when squaring up on opposing left-side hitters, giving [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] some all-around blocking strength on the right pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='342578' first='Rilyn' last='Otto'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] make up [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s stout middle duo. These versatile athletes have the liberty of running various routes along the net, particularly the 'gap' play away from the setter. Two-hitter rotations also allow Otto and Landon to showcase their terminal arms on the slide. We saw a little of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Second round of 18 USA action for <a href="https://twitter.com/We_are_NEONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@We_are_NEONE</a> 18 Black.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] operates in the gap as [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] faces off with Northern Lights. <a href="https://t.co/RNR6SajLIk">pic.twitter.com/RNR6SajLIk</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885740944340762699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't forget about the defense. Seward High School defender [player_tooltip player_id='269961' first='Abby' last='Covalt'] has been a meteoric stock riser since we first saw her suit up with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Her incredible leadership persists while also getting help from [player_tooltip player_id='342614' first='Claire' last='Daly'] in the back row. Like Case, Daly is a do-everything athlete who can lock down the back row or play a backup setter role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're fortunate to have a little more time with these Nebraska veterans. Bring on the next qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->