Small-Town Nebraska Club Spotlight: Kearney Elite 16-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another small-town 16s contender emerges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we highlighted South Central NE 16 Black after our most recent encounter with this hidden gem at last weekend's Nebraska Elite Classic. However, South Central NE wasn't the only small-town representative at Sunday's event. We finally got eyes on Kearney Elite 16-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another group with strong team bonds and a stout roster to compete in the Great Plains Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Early-Season Returns</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Kearney Elite squad landed on our radar after producing a pair of successful weekends on the regional circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 campaign began early last month with a trio of impressive wins in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym. Kearney Elite continued winning with a 4-0 mark at the Banzai Classic, extending the team's winning streak to seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That momentum culminated in two more victories against tough competition at the Nebraska Elite Classic. Kearney Elite is looking forward to even more high-stakes regional action and will participate in mid-April's Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Year-Round Reps</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps this Kearney Elite squad is showing us the future leaders at Kearney High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like year-round cohesion between high school and club, this is your team. All of Kearney Elite 16-1's athletes hail from Kearney High School, giving these Bearcat stars a chance to keep training throughout the spring months. They'll have ample opportunities to compete in the same rigorous matches we see in Class A every fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":759244,"width":"426px","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/5/2025/03/IMG_6881-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-759244" style="width:426px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Williams attacks for Kearney Elite 16-1 at the Nebraska Elite Classic.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several familiar names jump out right away. Class of 2027 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='735073' first='Jamie' last='Wilkens'] is a leading terminator for this squad, and we saw her full range of shots at Sunday's Nebraska Elite Classic. The left-side attacker chiseled inside opposing blockers and had a knack for placing her off-speed shots. Sunday was another milestone weekend for Wilkens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearney Elite 16-1's frontcourt is fortified by a wealth of other effective pin hitters alongside Wilkens. [player_tooltip player_id='773356' first='Bailey' last='Helmbrecht'] made the most of her trips across the front row, and she showed her willingness to play on either side of the setter. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='806600' first='Makena' last='Williams'] has distinguished herself as the wildcard player who can be a six-rotation outside hitter or lock down the back row as a defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of backcourt standouts, Kearney Elite has a deep bench of contributors along the end line. [player_tooltip player_id='773350' first='Elle' last='Cochran'] anchors the libero jersey and sets up Kearney Elite's offense with a wealth of perfect passes. The standout sophomore knows how to read hitters and place herself in the proper spot to make an easy play. Cochran also meshes well with fellow DS [player_tooltip player_id='773354' first='Brynlee' last='Berggren'], who dialed up several key serving runs at the Elite Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middle blocker spot belongs to the physical duo of [player_tooltip player_id='773363' first='Kinleigh' last='Rood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773359' first='Emma' last='Scheribel']. When Kearney Elite 16-1 gets a good first contact, you can expect one of these two athletes to get a shot. Rood and Scheribel thrive in front of the setter, but they're also expanding their route patterns to open up the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='773361' first='Hailee' last='Jasnoch'] pilots that offense. The 2027 standout plays around the dial and can square up with opposing hitters as a wing blocker. Jasnoch's expansive skillset is a microcosm of Kearney Elite 16-1's tight-knit operation, and we're eager to see those results translate to the national stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->