Recapping Nebraska’s Triple Crown NIT Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team success is measured by much more than wins and losses, but racking up wins at Triple Crown NIT is surely an accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have an overwhelming number of Nebraska angles to cover from President's Day Weekend. Dozens of Great Plains Region squads were in action across Triple Crown NIT and Omaha's ASICS President's Day Classic. Bear with us as we pick through all the nitty-gritty details, likely through the end of February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start simple. We spent our holiday outing in Kansas City, where Nebraska groups compiled statement victories before a national audience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite Becomes Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, the headlines write themselves. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite</strong>'s journey to the Elite bracket was one of the most enlightening parts of our Kansas City coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Elite immediately tested its mettle as a member of NIT's Power Pool D. The highlight of opening day was a dramatic three-set win over Mintonette to end Saturday's gauntlet on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, Triple Crown's stacked field leaves little time to celebrate. This was especially true given VCN's draw for the Round of 64 "challenge" match: [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy. Out of all the matchups to decide an Elite berth, we got this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Elite exhibited some of its grittiest play of the season en route to a two-set win in the in-state challenge showdown. Results among Nebraska's top 16s teams have been unpredictable during early-season play, and this outcome added another wrinkle to the round-robin madness. VCN is still a force to be reckoned with in this age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This was quite an experience to open Sunday's slate.<a href="https://twitter.com/[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']</a> 16 Elite wins a dramatic match to reach the Elite bracket. Nebraska's 16s scene continues to write new storylines. <a href="https://t.co/60twhi21yO">pic.twitter.com/60twhi21yO</a></p> <p>— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1891133191823425950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <p></p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy's Open Resurgence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned in our NIT previews, starting outside power pools means the pressure ramps up from the first whistle. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy</strong> was built to handle this challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Synergy prevailed in each of its three pool matchups to open NIT. Two of these contests were back-and-forth three-set affairs that tested [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s resolve when facing adversity. It's exactly the kind of test you'd look for from a national contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The aforementioned setback against [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] could have put a damper on Synergy's weekend, but this group kept climbing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NIT's Open bracket featured a gauntlet of teams that will factor heavily in USAV's Open race. In other words, this was a strong bracket. 16 Synergy rallied from the challenge-round loss and snagged quick victories over Premier and SAS to remain in the hunt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday morning's three-set win over PineappleHP was another testament to Synergy's resilience. A 17-15 win in Set 3 sent [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] to the Open semifinals, and the drama kept mounting from there. 16 Synergy pushed past Mizuno Long Beach and Game Point to win the Open bracket and finish NIT with an 8-1 overall record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the perfect prelude to the qualifier grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keeping tabs on <a href="https://twitter.com/NeONE16Synergy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NeONE16Synergy</a> in the quarterfinals of the Open bracket.</p> <p>Unbelievable depth on display at NIT. <a href="https://t.co/v5sbdHpSxC">pic.twitter.com/v5sbdHpSxC</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1891487130150416536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Redemption Arcs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Synergy wasn't the only Nebraska team that caught fire as the event progressed. Here are a few more of our picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska 17 Gold had a tough Saturday slate in power pools, but this Open-qualified team saved its best for the high-pressure matches. 17 Gold won its challenge match against Kairos Elite to break into the Elite bracket. Later, in the 17th-place bracket, Premier Nebraska kept rolling with wins against Tribe, HJV, and AZ Storm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite earned its way into the challenge round after starting the event outside of power pools. This triumph came down to a dramatic three-set win over TAV Houston 17 Adidas in Saturday's final late-night tilt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great Plains teams amassed impressive wins in the 15U age group. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite compiled three consecutive wins from the end of Sunday to the beginning of Monday. Likewise, Premier Nebraska 15 Gold ended power pools with a pair of wins to improve its standing for the challenge round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another impressive win streak came from Premier Nebraska 16 Gold. This group soared through its three power pool matches and showed some of its peak form right out of the gate. 16 Gold finished with a winning record at 5-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">17 Gold keeps up its impressive form against AZ Storm.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] terminates in the crosscourt for <a href="https://twitter.com/premier17gold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premier17gold</a>. <a href="https://t.co/O4S6SMf8xI">pic.twitter.com/O4S6SMf8xI</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1891536535587016815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p> </p>