Nebraska Teams in Monday Gold Contention at Show Me Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”Championship Monday” has a different ring to it, but the ultimate goal remains the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've watched dozens of Great Plains Region teams duel at this weekend's Show Me Qualifier. Nebraska teams have frequently used Kansas City as a launching point for GJNC berths, and history might repeat itself in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the full rundown of Nebraska's bid hopefuls after two days of Show Me competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A 16 Open Tandem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Open division naturally draws a lot of eyes, and two Nebraska contenders will be in the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has been a weekend of redemption for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy and Premier Nebraska 16 Gold. Both narrowly missed out on Gold contention at NLQ but have battled to Championship Monday in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team had any easy trek. 16 Synergy's pool rounds were highlighted by a revenge win over Northern Lights and a heart-stopping comeback against Dallas Skyline. The tides turned on Day 2 with another tiebreaker triumph, this time over TAV Houston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">WELL.<a href="https://twitter.com/NeONE16Synergy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NeONE16Synergy</a> dropped the opening set, was down 24-19 in Set 2, and scored seven straight to extend the match.</p> <p>Then won a 24-22 (!!) third set to take the match. Wow. <a href="https://t.co/BC2vQ79u5T">pic.twitter.com/BC2vQ79u5T</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911125996071518491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of Premier Nebraska's opening day drama came in a three-set win over Kairos—a previously qualified team in 16 Open. Round 2 featured one of the fiercest matches of the tournament as 16 Gold toppled Metro. This was the prelude to a perfect Sunday for Premier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pay close attention to the trickle-down bid scenarios in this division. 16 Open's Gold pools contain four teams that are already qualified: Houston Skyline, OK Charge, TAV, and WPVC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh, this was fun.<a href="https://twitter.com/Premier16_G?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Premier16_G</a> gets it done in a colossal three-set tilt against Metro. [player_tooltip player_id='458163' first='Erin' last='Cramer'] had the final serving run to close it out.</p> <p>2-0. <a href="https://t.co/TxM5AtRb0j">pic.twitter.com/TxM5AtRb0j</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911470808066629867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black's Roundabout Journey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has evolved before our eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Black was a top performer at NLQ, making the final Gold bracket in 15 Liberty. Then, the team snagged a bid through the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. All this positive momentum encouraged 15 Black to step up to Show Me's 15 USA division. It's paying off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Resilient efforts have kept this team in the hunt. After splitting the first two matches of the event, 15 Black earned a sweep over Flyers to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next pressure test came after VCN fell in Sunday's opener against MKE Sting. 15 Black rattled off two consecutive victories to stave off elimination yet again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kairos awaits in 15 USA quarterfinals. VCN will look to keep breaking barriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black Aiming Higher</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already having a bid in hand has not stopped [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black from seeking more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black's runner-up finish at last weekend's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament secured the team's GJNC spot. However, [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] is now in contention for a 16 USA bid after two brilliant Show Me pool rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] split its first two contest to advance out of its three-team pool. 16 Black's best volleyball came during Day 2 with three wins over TAV, MAVS, and KNVBC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday's excellence propels [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] to a first-round bye in the 16 USA bracket. 16 Black is one win away from placing itself in bid contention through a championship appearance or a third-place match. They're on the doorstep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Familiar Contenders Emerge in 16 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black and Club Legacy 16 Alpha are back in the 16 Liberty Gold bracket. It's NLQ all over again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black has enjoyed a midseason surge, culminating in a bid-earning triumph at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Similar to [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black, that postseason assurance has not affected VCN's motivation to make some noise at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VCN pounced early with a trio of sweeps in the opening round. The set win streak extended to ten with two more wins in Sunday's pool play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Legacy 16 Alpha has been similarly dominant. Like VCN, 16 Alpha had no blemishes on Saturday—in set count or its overall record. Two Sunday victories placed Club Legacy in the 16 Liberty quarterfinals alongside VCNebraska.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two bids are on the line, and we're looking for a deep Monday run from this pair.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wasting no time finding <a href="https://twitter.com/LegacyVBOmaha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LegacyVBOmaha</a> 16 Alpha at the start of 16 Liberty action.</p> <p>Another big qualifier trip after several successful outings throughout 2025. <a href="https://t.co/1QqryuoeuI">pic.twitter.com/1QqryuoeuI</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911142060482302068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central NE 17 Black is Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This South Central NE team might look slightly different than the past two iterations that nabbed podium finishes at back-to-back Show Me Qualifiers. Despite the changes, 17 Black is back in business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17 Liberty contender has steamrolled through two rounds of competition. South Central NE did not drop a set on opening day, and the winning streak carried right into Sunday. 17 Black finished Sunday's slate with another 3-0 mark and only one set loss on its tab.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stage is set for a South Central renaissance. 17 Black has a first-round bye into the quarterfinals and will vie for the team's rightful place in the division championship. It's just like old times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Moving up to 17 Liberty to find South Central NE 17 Black, a group with no shortage of Show Me accolades.</p> <p>Right back in the top division in KC. <a href="https://t.co/eJhVcg861x">pic.twitter.com/eJhVcg861x</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911529663698182208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></p> </blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Future of South Central NE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Move one step down the age ladder. South Central NE 16 Black is in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've followed this up-and-coming group around the regional scene. Last weekend's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament was another testament to the team's skill and cohesiveness. It's now coming together at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team won all three opening-round matches by convincing margins. 16 Black ramped up the drama on Sunday, playing three-set contests in every match of Round 2. This included a thrilling tiebreaker win over Adrenaline deep into the Minneapolis night. In a winner-take-all showdown, South Central NE had the right formula again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three Great Plains teams are in the 16 Liberty bid race. Buckle up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VCNebraska 17 Black's Magic Margins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never over until it's over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We referenced NLQ top performers often, and VCNebraska 17 Black fits this bill, too. The team was a 17 Liberty Gold participant in Minneapolis, so the bar was set high for Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trek got off to a good start with a 2-1 opening round. Adversity followed, however, as 17 Black dropped a three-set battle to CI Elite and was swept by NHouston Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting a round of pool play in an 0-2 hole is not ideal, but it's not a death sentence. VCNebraska kept itself in the hunt by sweeping HP Illinois in the last match of the night. Even still, 17 Black needed some help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the pool's nightcap, NHouston polished off a 3-0 record by sweeping CI Elite. It was the one result 17 Black needed. VCNebraska was the only team besides NHouston to win a match via a sweep, so 17 Black won the set tiebreaker to finish second. A comeback for the ages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we get to see more. The 17 Liberty bracket beckons, and a showdown with Aspire kicks it off at 8 a.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->