Which Nebraska 17s Teams Have Been Early-Season Surprises?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even the 17s are surprising us this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when you think you have teams figured out, club volleyball athletes and coaches find ways to raise the bar. This improvement arc is present across the age spectrum--even the veteran 17s who have already seen plenty of high-level matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently spotlighted a handful of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/03/which-nebraska-16s-teams-have-been-early-season-surprises/">16s squads</a> who have elevated their game through early-season action. So, we might as well bring the 17s into the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576601,"width":"300px","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/5/2024/07/67-Haylee-Macke.jpg?w=990" alt="" class="wp-image-576601" style="width:300px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Macke</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're starting with a [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] squad that made a dramatic entrance on the 2025 qualifier circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black didn't take long to reveal its rising ceiling, as this squad reached the final 17 Liberty bracket at January's Northern Lights Qualifier. The team returned many of its core contributors from a season ago, but 17 Black also welcomed some new additions at key positions. We weren't sure how it would all gel. Cohesion has been ahead of schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Star setter [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] pilots the 17 Black operation, and she has plenty of worthy setting targets in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='349455' first='Alivia' last='Gustafson'] has been an exceptional addition to the outside hitter spot, and [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'] has resumed her do-everything mentality in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym. While we're on the pin-hitting topic, [player_tooltip player_id='231947' first='Kaydence' last='Haase'] is playing some of her best volleyball after helping Exeter-Milligan/Friend to the state title match last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball control features plenty of continuity with [player_tooltip player_id='349483' first='Kamrynn' last='Wemhoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486916' first='Haylee' last='Macke'] anchoring the back row. 17 Black is looking ahead to its next qualifier opportunity after a few impressive showings on the regional stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black, [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black brought a medley of familiar faces and new names to its 2025 lineup. Once again, we have a team finding its groove very quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] group has never shied away from a challenge. This was evident at the ASICS President's Day Classic, where 17 Black played up in 18 Open and nearly snagged a final bracket bid. The team recently rolled through its slate at the Premier Showcase and is gaining momentum at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatile athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='453482' first='McKenzie' last='Sidlo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349486' first='Lauren' last='Kuhlmann'] are new to this [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] lineup, but the transition is going well. They are aided by steely veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'], both of whom can set the offense or be game-changing attackers in the front row. Fairbury standout [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'] carries the banner for the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Premier Nebraska 17 Red</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576614,"width":"264px","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/5/2024/07/80-Ava-Wiebelhaus.jpg?w=834" alt="" class="wp-image-576614" style="width:264px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wiebelhaus</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depth remains a big storyline at Premier Nebraska. This strength is embodied by Premier Nebraska 17 Red, a squad with a bevy of impressive results so far this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 Red posted a podium finish at the President's Day Classic after an astounding 8-1 run. The team has also thrived at recent regional outings like the Banzai Classic and Nebraska Elite Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The roster is loaded with under-the-radar 2026s with a wealth of all-around skills. [player_tooltip player_id='349460' first='Ava' last='Wiebelhaus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349450' first='Rayna' last='Bartholet'] form one of the state's most dynamic setter duos on the club scene. They can also lean on terminal outside hitters like Jocelyn O'Neal and [player_tooltip player_id='349414' first='Reagan' last='Siebler']. This pair made big gains toward the end of 2024 and have picked up where they left off. [player_tooltip player_id='396739' first='Ava' last='Lampe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518585' first='Aerrianna' last='Quattrocchi'] lock down the middle blocker spot to fortify an intimidating frontcourt presence. 17 Red has it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Banzai VBC 17 Select</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've crossed paths with the Banzai VBC 17 Select group on several occasions. The team battled hard at the Northern Lights Qualifier and made further gains at the President's Day Classic. 17 Select has been particularly good at defending its home court against a variety of regional contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lethal attackers like Finely Moone, [player_tooltip player_id='541584' first='Ella' last='Waters'], and [player_tooltip player_id='396748' first='Hunter' last='MacLeod'] lead the way. We've also seen [player_tooltip player_id='534457' first='Aubrie' last='Walz'] flourish in her multi-position role as a middle-opposite hybrid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->