Star Liberos Emerge at Midwest Power League #2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 season is moving quickly, and we've already logged a second weekend of the Midwest Power League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite's gym is becoming our typical Sunday morning hangout spot. This venue has hosted several stacked regional events, including two iterations of the annual Power League. We were eager to see which position group made the first big impression at this one, and now we've decided: it's the liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All classes are in play for this one, as defensive dominance transcended age groups at Sunday's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396746"],"_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-67aa26f03bf0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kubat continues to command the Club Legacy 17 Alpha backcourt. The Omaha Westside junior has played in plenty of high-stakes contests throughout her prep career, so she's prepared for whatever challenges the Midwest Power League presents. Kubat can dig heat in the crosscourt and read tip shots down the line. She also knows how to take control of the serve-receive pattern and allow her pin-hitting teammates to thrive. 17 Alpha can look forward to several more standout performances on the regional stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575157"],"_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-67aa26f03bf80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black looks a little different compared to last year's group, but Real is fitting right into the new lineup. This Waverly sophomore was a standout performer on last year's Prep Dig Circuit, so we were already acquainted with Real's natural defensive skills. She harnessed those abilities while leading the 17 Black ball-control unit during Sunday's event. This was an ideal first impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458162"],"_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-67aa26f03bfcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McLeay is one of Nebraska's most fascinating defenders in the 2027 class. She primarily wears the libero jersey for Premier Nebraska 16 Gold, but she was also a go-to left-side hitter for Omaha Marian last fall. McLeay's experience in both roles seems to help her react to opposing attackers and anticipate where to place her platform. 16 Gold can also lean on McLeay's athleticism to extend its defensive range and make improbable saves. It's the perfect recipe for a game-changing libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458164"],"_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-67aa26f03c012"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a head-turning Sunday for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. The team pushed past two pool opponents from older age groups and capped the morning with a dramatic triumph over Premier Nebraska 16 Gold. Lottman was instrumental in that success and demonstrated her willingness to play various roles. The Norris standout can don the libero jersey or be a backcourt substitute, all while constantly influencing 16 Elite's strong ball control. Triple Crown NIT will offer a vital litmus test for Lottman and her Open-level team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ella Kolar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ashland-Greenwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nebraska Juniors","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aa26f03c0db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is not the first defensive specialist we've highlighted from this year's Nebraska Juniors 15 Black roster, but this squad has too much backcourt depth to pass up. Kolar earned reps in the contrasting jersey during Sunday's event and was an exceptional leader along the end line. The Ashland-Greenwood freshman exhibited tremendous instincts when defending off-speed shots, allowing 15 Black to convert on transition opportunities. Kolar's squad has seemingly infinite lineup options to explore in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567542"],"_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-67aa26f03c12b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nowling has been a high-impact libero wherever she's suited up. She earned a wealth of starting experience for Gretna last fall and helped the Dragons make a postseason return. Nowling then entered the spotlight at one of last year's Prep Dig Showcase events and was a constant force in six-on-six drills. It's no surprise to see this 2028 star running the defensive operations for Premier Nebraska 15 Gold, a team with big aspirations for this year's club campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='774633' first='Ava' last='Whitmarsh']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nebraska Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aa26f03c1b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Add another Nebraska Elite defender to our 2028 radar. Whitmarsh locked down the back row for Nebraska Elite 15 Koa en route to an impressive 2-0 mark in 15 Open pool play. 15 Koa also wielded a stout collection of frontcourt talent, but Whitmarsh's perfect first contacts helped set up attacking opportunities. We're eager to see this group translate Power League success to the qualifier stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->