Nebraska’s Sunday Gold Contenders at Northern Lights Qualifier #3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Great Plains Region is making waves again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've witnessed two days of intense competition in Minneapolis, and Nebraska teams factored heavily in NLQ's proceedings. As we turn toward Championship Sunday, a select few squads have reached the final gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an overview of Nebraska's Gold contenders on the last day of Northern Lights Qualifier #3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] Trifecta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] brought three teams to this weekend's NLQ—one 15s team and a pair of 16s. They're all in the Gold running heading into Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite clawed through a tough field of 16 Open contenders to reach Sunday's top pools. A pair of wins over Shockwave and Mizuno M1 got the tournament off to a great start, effectively securing 16 Elite's spot in Round 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Elite did not enjoy the same early advantage on Saturday, as the team fell in its second-round opener to TAV. This is where VCN's resilience emerged. Back-to-back wins over Idaho Crush and Nebraska Elite turned the tides and put 16 Elite back on the plus side for Gold pools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back-to-back wins for <a href="https://twitter.com/VCNebraska?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VCNebraska</a> 16 Elite.</p> <p>16 Open still delivering drama. <a href="https://t.co/f4tRiwnbAN">pic.twitter.com/f4tRiwnbAN</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1906038904202871056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black hoped to build on last year's qualifier success that propelled the team to a strong showing at GJNC. We saw more of 16 Black's championship form in Minneapolis as the wins started to pile up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black did not drop a set in the opening round. The team almost achieved the same feat on Saturday, save for a single set loss to AZ Rev. Still, the end result was a 6-0 record and unquestioned frontrunner status in the 16 Liberty bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have a pair of <a href="https://twitter.com/VCNebraska?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VCNebraska</a> squads going for 6-0 records through two rounds of pool play.</p> <p>Here's 16 Black starting its final second-round match in 16 Liberty. <a href="https://t.co/LHyUn5o2np">pic.twitter.com/LHyUn5o2np</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1906053492562669779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we have the 15s entry. We already documented [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite's runner-up effort in last week's 15 USA field, and VCN 15 Black is trying to reciprocate that triumph. Like 16 Black, 15 Black posted three sweeps in Friday's session to establish early momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad was 5-0 before being pushed to the brink in Saturday's final contest against Houston Skyline. 15 Black was not deterred, pulling out a 17-15 win in the third set and polishing off a 6-0 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a trifecta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">6-0!<a href="https://twitter.com/VCNebraska?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VCNebraska</a> 15 Black earns a gritty three-set win over Houston Skyline to wrap up two perfect rounds of pool play.</p> <p>17-15 in the tiebreaker. <a href="https://t.co/lTCFsvrIVs">pic.twitter.com/lTCFsvrIVs</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1906067439827226814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Going for the Repeat</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's first NLQ weekend turned into a show-stopping entrance for Premier Nebraska 15 Black. This year's 16 Black roster looks a bit different, but the mission remains the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska 16 Black is peaking at the right time and will participate in Sunday's final 16 USA bracket. This quarterfinal berth leaves 16 Black one win away from bid contention, whether through a championship appearance or the third-place match. The opponent standing in the way is MKE Sting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black rode the ups and downs of Friday's slate but won when it mattered most. The team took down TAV in the evening's finale to stay alive. This was the start of a three-match winning streak that would place 16 Black in the Gold group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to go for more NLQ hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">This crew knows how to get it done at NLQ.<a href="https://twitter.com/premier16black?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premier16black</a> begins its trek through the PM wave and is hoping to defend an excellent track record in Minneapolis. <a href="https://t.co/QxMRC8jNXQ">pic.twitter.com/QxMRC8jNXQ</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1905732670191272117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Still Rolling</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Legacy 16 Alpha has built quite a resume in the Great Plains Region. A 10-0 run through the President's Day Classic might be the precursor to an even greater accomplishment in Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Alpha started its 16 Liberty trek with three opening-round wins. The slate grew tougher as Club Legacy dropped its first match of the weekend to Mizuno Northern Lights. Resolve was on display, however, as 16 Alpha notched two wins to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This <a href="https://twitter.com/LegacyVBOmaha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LegacyVBOmaha</a> group is still thriving.</p> <p>16 Alpha is a set away from a 3-0 Friday slate. <a href="https://t.co/S3LotgRmJj">pic.twitter.com/S3LotgRmJj</a></p> <p>— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1905700423216034053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>16 American Frontrunners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is where a Nebraska Elite tandem enters the fray—and Club Legacy rejoins the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We highlighted 16 American as a division featuring two Nebraska Elite entries, and both teams turned that extraordinary depth into a Gold appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite 16 Ohana made an early impression with a 5-0 start featuring several deuce sets and tense moments. This hot streak places Nebraska Elite in the 16 American hunt with one bid on the line. Sunday brings us a sixteen-team Gold bracket, so 16 Ohana could hang around for a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite 16 Surge stormed through its opening pool, but chaos ensued in Round 2. The team posted a 1-2 record but found itself in a three-way tie for second place. 16 Surge's four set victories gave it the edge, and the crew saved its best volleyball for the challenge match. Nebraska Elite has forces to be reckoned with on the 16s side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">How about <a href="https://twitter.com/NebraskaElite?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NebraskaElite</a> 16 Ohana?</p> <p>Putting the finishing touches on a fifth consecutive win in 16 American. One step closer to the final bracket. <a href="https://t.co/Rp2yEzuGGy">pic.twitter.com/Rp2yEzuGGy</a></p> <p>— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1906028811017203889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, Club Legacy made it two-for-two on 16s entries making the final bracket in their respective divisions. 16 Bravo did it by compiling a 5-1 record through two rounds and winning a thrilling three-set crossover match against MAVS 816.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a Great Plains Region trio in the 16 American bracket. Be ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taking stock in the PM wave.<a href="https://twitter.com/LegacyVBOmaha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LegacyVBOmaha</a> re-enters the spotlight with 16 Bravo competing in 16 American. <a href="https://t.co/YM7cXThjAI">pic.twitter.com/YM7cXThjAI</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1905712358959546838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote>