The Last Hurrah: Previewing Nebraska Teams at USAV 18s Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time flies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had a whirlwind journey with the Class of 2025. This group has given us state tournament triumphs, dramatic club moments, and unforgettable performances on various stages. Now, many of Nebraska's senior stars will carry the prep banner one last time at USAV 18s Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five teams will represent the Great Plains Region at Salt Lake City's GJNC finale. Let's set up the final journey for these outgoing legends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Double the Open Drama</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we have to keep tabs on the pair of 18 Open entrants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of Nebraska's 18 Open representatives clinched GJNC berths at very different times in the 2025 season. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 18 Elite</strong> nabbed a bid right away at January's KC MLK Qualifier, while <strong>Premier Nebraska 18 Gold</strong> was selected as one of the division's at-large teams in early April.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s top 18s squad meshed ahead of schedule. This squad featured several new additions who made their mark at different clubs throughout their prep careers. Frontcourt stars like [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155052' first='Kiera' last='Link'] made seamless transitions into the 18 Elite lineup and were crucial contributors from Day 1. South Dakota State signee Brooke Larsen maintained her familiar role as a setter-hitter game-changer. Of course, VCN also retained Lincoln-area standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342564' first='Katie' last='Merten'], too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier Nebraska 18 Gold clinched an 18 National bid through the Great Plains Region but received an 18 Open upgrade through USAV's at-large application. This squad has been forged in the fires of Open-level competition, so 18 Gold will feel right at home in Salt Lake City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball control is a major strength for this 18 Open dark horse. [player_tooltip player_id='155053' first='Charlee' last='Solomon'] ties this group together in her dual setter-opposite niche. We'll also look for big backcourt plays out of [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155037' first='Sierra' last='Pokharel'], two liberos bound for D1 schools. This excellence on first and second contacts should give rise to frontcourt standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155043' first='Shay' last='Heaney'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another 18 Open climb continues for <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> 18 Elite.<br><br>This group already has its bid through KC MLK, but still showing top form at NLQ. <a href="https://t.co/iiF94LMeSQ">pic.twitter.com/iiF94LMeSQ</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885698083763212514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] Rises Again</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 18 Black</strong> earned its GJNC bid through a wild trickle-down scenario at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Anything can happen at these high-profile events--even at 18s GJNC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Black will wield a recognizable group of state champions, small-town stars, and future collegiate impact players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Lutheran senior [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'] commands a dynamic offense led by [player_tooltip player_id='342615' first='Shelby' last='Harding'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342612' first='Sierra' last='Crist'] on the outside. We'll also keep track of multi-position athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='497360' first='Haidyn' last='Case'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] as [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] looks for the right combinations at USAV Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Second round of 18 USA action for <a href="https://twitter.com/We_are_NEONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@We_are_NEONE</a> 18 Black.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] operates in the gap as [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] faces off with Northern Lights. <a href="https://t.co/RNR6SajLIk">pic.twitter.com/RNR6SajLIk</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885740944340762699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Premier Nebraska Gets Another</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the next Premier Nebraska contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 18 Black</strong> joins its 18 Gold counterparts in Salt Lake City, making for a special sendoff for this powerhouse club. 18 Black slides up to GPR's 18 National bid after 18 Gold accepted its at-large Open invite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18s teams tend to shuffle the deck and bring in new combinations, and 18 Black is a good example. Gretna East standout [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'] has formed exceptional connections with hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269910' first='Eliza' last='Schmidt']. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School is well represented on the 18 Black roster with Hutson Rau and Audrey Sandbothe playing their best volleyball when it matters most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Banzai on the Big Stage</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we reach Banzai VBC 18 Select in the 18 Freedom division. This squad dazzled us at the Northern Lights Qualifier and snagged a podium finish at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatility defines the 18 Select roster. [player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155055' first='Lilly' last='Pillay'] can play almost any position along the net and find success. [player_tooltip player_id='276206' first='Marley' last='Glock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349415' first='Kendra' last='Gross'] can also play around the dial, while [player_tooltip player_id='495052' first='Margaret' last='Williams'] is bookending a tremendously productive prep career at the libero position. This is a legit contender in Salt Lake City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Checking on <a href="https://twitter.com/Banzaivb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Banzaivb</a> 18 Select in the top 18 Liberty group.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'] skies for the kill on the outside. A clear trendsetter for this team. <a href="https://t.co/iEfertKMJK">pic.twitter.com/iEfertKMJK</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885717420586709293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote>