Nebraska 17s Teams Gaining Momentum after Show Me Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Show Me Qualifier is the perfect venue for some late-season gains.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already covered a pair of Great Plains Region representatives that earned bids after a wild weekend in Kansas City. However, Nebraska delivered so many more team performances worthy of mention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we get into all the nitty-gritty details on which players stood out at Show Me, we're dishing out a few more squad shoutouts. This feature focuses on the 17s, which gave us many options for this feature. Perhaps these groups are discovering some postseason form.</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>We were eager to see this [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] squad after its impressive showing at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Last weekend's performance did not disappoint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, we'd be talking about 17 Black in the final 17 USA bracket if not for an unfortunate triple tiebreaker. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] started 3-0 to reach the second round and notched a 2-1 mark in the next wave of matches. The team was merely ousted on set count after two other teams in the pool went 2-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the other teams we'll mention here, 17 Black has a compelling medley of familiar stars and new additions. [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'] remains a must-see athlete in her setter-hitter role with the team. [player_tooltip player_id='349486' first='Lauren' last='Kuhlmann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='453482' first='McKenzie' last='Sidlo'] have joined the fray to add frontcourt firepower to the mix. [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'] still carries the banner for the Class of 2027, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Always eager to check on this stacked [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black squad.<br><br>This group clinched a GJNC bid through the Great Plains Region a couple of weeks ago, but another opportunity awaits in 17 USA. <a href="https://t.co/YXbfpopaJF">pic.twitter.com/YXbfpopaJF</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911049257202618462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's give a nod to VCN 17 Elite's late surge in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team was untouchable from Sunday onward. 17 Elite racked up three victories in Round 2 pools and swept through the Diamond bracket to finish 8-3 on the weekend. It's valuable experience for a squad that already has a GJNC bid through the Great Plains Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 Elite is a new-look roster that seems to be meshing at the right time. [player_tooltip player_id='349479' first='Kamryn' last='Behrns'] had an exceptional event at the opposite position. [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'], [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb'], and [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'] have all been explosive additions to the team. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='349456' first='Carlie' last='Talbott'] adds another dimension as player who can anchor the back row or swing from the pins.</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:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we have to visit with a podium finisher from the 17 Liberty division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can always count on [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black reaching title contention by the end of a qualifier weekend. They reached the 17 Liberty Gold bracket at NLQ and repeated that feat in Kansas City. The team went even further last weekend, reaching the semifinal round and coming within one win of a Nationals bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter and captain [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] glues the entire 17 Black operation together. She has formed incredible connections with star attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='349455' first='Alivia' last='Gustafson'], [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'], and [player_tooltip player_id='231947' first='Kaydence' last='Haase']. The team's defense has also leveled up this year, with [player_tooltip player_id='349483' first='Kamrynn' last='Wemhoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486916' first='Haylee' last='Macke'] commanding the end line and generating transition opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Several <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> contenders to track down at the start of the PM wave.<br><br>17 Black starts its Round 2 path in 17 Liberty. This group reached the Gold ranks at NLQ earlier this season. <a href="https://t.co/dd4SMZPuNe">pic.twitter.com/dd4SMZPuNe</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911531317390688574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Blue</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've hit the VCN trifecta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Blue had a fruitful stay in Show Me's 17 American division. The team advanced through two rounds of pool play before being narrowly ousted in a three-set challenge match. 17s depth is rising in the Lincoln area, and VCN is leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 Blue wielded a wicked collection of pins in Kansas City. [player_tooltip player_id='396756' first='Raleigh' last='Bowen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771612' first='Alyssa' last='Vanek'] were go-to options on the left and right sides, respectively. This pair was also aided by stellar ball control from the setter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='497370' first='Ava' last='Bearden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253926' first='Lauren' last='Pearson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Checking out a battle of 1-0 teams in 17 American's Sunday pools.<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> 17 Blue has been sharp this weekend and hopes to stay in the top division through two rounds. <a href="https://t.co/Bu1Iu1gf6R">pic.twitter.com/Bu1Iu1gf6R</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911459156956996064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Premier Nebraska 17 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has given us its share of qualifier memories over the years. Premier Nebraska 17 Black flashed more of its high ceiling by sweeping each of its Day 1 opponents at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 Black has the luxury to shuffle its lineup and generate consistent results. [player_tooltip player_id='349413' first='Maggie' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust'] have each been proficient setters for this group. The team also has a wealth of attackers with diverse positional experience, including [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen'], [player_tooltip player_id='216933' first='Jada' last='Freeland'], and Kennedy Harris.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to the 17 USA grind for <a href="https://twitter.com/premier17B?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premier17B</a>.<br><br>Building off a perfect start in yesterday's pool play. <a href="https://t.co/NiHF0XY1o3">pic.twitter.com/NiHF0XY1o3</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911420502234583453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Club Legacy 17 Alpha</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about the Silver bracket champions?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Legacy 17 Alpha narrowly missed out on the final 17 Liberty bracket, but this tight-knit crew did not stop competing on Championship Monday. 17 Alpha racked up three consecutive victories to win the Silver bracket and maximize its finishing position in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The constant evolution of 17 Alpha's athletes has been something to behold. [player_tooltip player_id='349464' first='Annabella' last='Suljuzovic'] is evolving into a terminal pin hitter after gaining experience as a middle blocker. [player_tooltip player_id='464926' first='Lexi' last='DeyErmand'] is a dynamic setter-opposite, and [player_tooltip player_id='396745' first='Addison' last='Janke'] helps pilot the offense on the other side of the rotation. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='396746' first='Jane' last='Kubat']'s backcourt leadership, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->