Nebraska’s Surprise Stars in 16 American at NLQ #3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're full of surprises this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we covered a handful of surprise breakout teams from last week's Northern Lights Qualifier. That feature discussed a few 16 American teams after that division had three Great Plains contenders in the final Gold bracket. So, it should be no surprise that we have a few players to feature from this stacked division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some athletes who made big impressions at one of the most prominent qualifier outings on the club calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c6140dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're starting with Nebraska Elite 16 Surge, the highest-placing squad among Nebraska's 16 American entrants at NLQ. Hewitt was a do-everything athlete at NLQ who could score in the middle or on the right. 16 Surge also varied the tempo of Hewitt's attacks, letting her use her full range and navigate past the block. Under-the-radar 2027s like Hewitt are entering the spotlight after 16 Surge's top-five triumph in Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458187"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c61413b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You can always count on Vandenberg holding down the middle-back area for 16 Surge. This multi-talented athlete, who can also play across the front row if needed, has provided a major boost to 16 Surge's passing and backcourt defense. Vandenberg can anchor large sections of the court and collaborates well with her fellow passers. The 16 American division featured long, scrappy marathon matches, and Vandenberg was ready to endure it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591608"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c614181"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nadgwick brings out the full arsenal of shots when she rotates into the frontcourt. This left-side attacker showed a knack for tooling the block and could also place dimes into the "campfire." 16 Bravo also looked to Nadgwick to deliver in out-of-system situations as teams scrambled for mid-rally advantages. This Elkhorn North sophomore is bound to keep compiling highlights on prominent stages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521299"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c6141c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Omaha Concordia-Club Legacy pipeline persists. Case was the focal point of Club Legacy 16 Bravo's extraordinary defense in Minneapolis. Her quick instincts allowed 16 Bravo to capitalize on opposing tips and roll shots. Of course, this Omaha Concordia sophomore was also willing to lay out to save hard-driven balls. Case's intensity and leadership set the tone for 16 Bravo throughout NLQ, and we're eager to see more of the same at the Show Me Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521238"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c6141fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blankenau is vital to Nebraska Elite 16 Ohana's firepower on the right pin. This athletic opposite gets on top of the ball quickly and wields a wicked line shot outside the block. We also watched Blankenau develop as an extraordinary wing blocker at NLQ, helping propel 16 Ohana through some tense pool matches. Nebraska Elite's 16s depth keeps expanding, and we'll add several names to the rankings shortly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521236"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c61423b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's get the Nebraska Elite middle blockers involved. Sudbeck is one of 16 Ohana's most physical front-row assets, making her a go-to in-system attacker. Efficient middle offense became a separating factor among 16 American squads at NLQ. This was the perfect venue for Sudbeck to rise up and become a weapon during 16 Ohana's push to the Gold bracket. Her rankings rise is approaching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521177"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c614278"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 16 Silver will do everything possible to get Love the ball. This game-wrecking middle blocker is a staple of 16 Silver's offense and can produce indefensible angles in front of the setter. Love can also work with her setter to take aggressive swings in the gap. Don't forget about Love's contributions in the defensive phase, as this long athlete produces several positive block touches to help 16 Silver in transition. Look out for this group at future qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='773465' first='Suriyah' last='Houston']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eda0c614308"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houston embodies the steady, consistent play that lifted [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Grey to a late winning streak in Minneapolis. This outside hitter uses her explosive approach to drive into the ball and generate impressive heat into the crosscourt. 16 Grey leaned on its pin attackers to earn a three-match winning streak in the late stages of NLQ. Houston and her teammates will channel that momentum toward a crucial midseason stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->