Nebraska Storylines We’re Following at AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's end the season on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU Nationals always brings a vast, diverse group of teams to Orlando for one of the biggest spectacles on the club calendar. For many of these squads, this AAU trip marks the end of the yearly club journey. Nebraska teams are various ages and backgrounds will carry the Great Plains banner in Orlando, and we can't wait to see which storylines prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a few early storylines in mind before the flurry of action begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Another Cinderella Team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can cite countless examples of Nebraska teams playing their best volleyball at AAU Nationals and snagging postseason accolades--and championship trophies, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we needn't look any further back than last year, when [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy made an unblemished run to the 16 Club crown in Orlando. We knew about 16 Navy's high ceiling and tremendous balance, but AAU Nationals showed a new level we hadn't seen throughout 2024. Many athletes on that roster have subsequently risen in their respective class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will we get a new breakout team in 2025? History says we're due for another one, but we're unsure which age group will produce this triumph. That's another storyline entirely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">A Nebraska champion is crowned.</p> <p>Taking our first look at <a href="https://twitter.com/RCJRSOmaha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RCJRSOmaha</a> 16 Navy&#039;s journey to the AAU Nationals podium! <a href="https://t.co/fwKXDPvbyF">https://t.co/fwKXDPvbyF</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1805587749728116902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2024</a></p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Statement Opportunity for the 2026s</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, a lot of our recent chatter on the site has been about the 2027s. Their recruiting journey has just begun. However, we still have a heap of available 2026s looking to make an impression and reach the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU Nationals will be an all-important "bridge" between the club season and senior year for the 2026s. Gaining summer momentum in Orlando could be a catalyst for recruiting traction and a strong swan song high school campaign. We're here for some Class of 2026 surprises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Club Participation</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a simple one: Who's going to be there?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's drop a non-exhaustive list of Nebraska clubs we typically expect to see at AAU Nationals:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Club Legacy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nebraska Elite</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nebraska Juniors</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're sure to add to this list as schedules for Wave 3 and Wave 4 become official. It'll also answer questions on a looming possibility: the "double." Every year, a handful of teams around the country choose to compete in both AAU Nationals and USAV Nationals. It's not a common trend among Nebraska squads, but it's still something to keep in mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Peering into the Future</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wouldn't hurt to get an early glimpse at the Class of 2029. In a couple of months, this group will join the high school circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checking in with the 14s during postseason club play has often been our way to get acquainted with a new class. This introduction is particularly important given that we have a Freshman Showcase on the way. We'll converge on The Volleyball Academy in late July to further build our early 2029 database, giving us a vital head start on the incoming freshmen. It's bound to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"},"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color" style="font-size:20px">Use code <em><strong>KingsleyDig2025</strong></em> for a discount on your registration fee!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":562386,"width":"183px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1517/register/nebraska-stock-up-showcase" target="_blank" rel=" noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/Stock-Up-Showcase.png?w=1024" alt="Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase Graphic" class="wp-image-562386" style="width:183px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"29px"},"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color" style="font-size:29px"><strong><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1517/register/nebraska-stock-up-showcase">Nebraska Stock Up Showcase</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:18px"><strong>Class of 2026-2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">July 26, 1:00 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">The Volleyball Academy | La Vista, NE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":395629,"width":"183px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1530/register/nebraska-freshman-showcase" target="_blank" rel=" noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/PDFreshmanShowcase_Email.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-395629" style="width:183px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"29px"},"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color" style="font-size:29px"><strong><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1530/register/nebraska-freshman-showcase">Nebraska Freshman Showcase</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:18px"><strong>Class of 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">July 26, 10:00 a.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">The Volleyball Academy | La Vista, NE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->