Nebraska Teams Taking on Wave 3 of AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason intrigue escalates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Results have been rolling in from AAU Nationals, and we've already been introduced to some of Nebraska's future prep volleyball stars. However, Wave 3 brings a particularly large group of Nebraska teams to the spotlight in age groups we're accustomed to covering throughout the season. We're keeping close tabs on this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday's slate brings five 16U divisions and all 17U divisions to Orlando. Let's break down who carries the Nebraska banner in the Sunshine State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Premier</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're starting in 17 Premier with a trio of familiar AAU contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 17 Phoenix</strong> will not shy away from tough competition after competing at the Open level in various USAV qualifiers. This lineup has been finding its late-season form and has a big statement opportunity in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is also the first of many Nebraska Juniors squads we'll discuss here. <strong>Nebraska Juniors 17 Black</strong> has a familiar combination of physicality and ball control that has made the team successful on the regional stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we find <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black</strong>. This group generated plenty of headlines during the USAV qualifier season with Gold appearances at NLQ and Show Me. We could see similar output at AAUs, especially given VCN's storied past at this postseason venue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1886104208509682064","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1886104208509682064 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Club</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the reigning champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 17 Navy</strong> is back to defend last year's 16 Club title and is the top seed in Pool BB of 17 Club. This division is loaded with competitors, but 17 Navy has proven it can wade through the chaos to produce win after win. Last year's performance set a high bar, but [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] is built for the repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We find another top pool seed from the Nebraska camp with <strong>Club Legacy 17 Alpha</strong> heading up Pool MM. A late-season surge led to 17 Alpha's impressive Silver bracket triumph at April's Show Me Qualifier, so this is a chance to maintain that momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Juniors 17 Red</strong> joins its 17 Black counterpart in Orlando. We're about to see a demonstration of this club's depth in one of the year's biggest club events. Expect a few more Class of 2026 features stacked with Nebraska Juniors athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Aspire</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our lone Nebraska contender here is <strong>Club Legacy 17 Bravo</strong>, but this group is bound to contribute to our 2026 discussions. Look for 17 Bravo to wield its collection of six-rotation standouts and multi-position athletes--many of whom have risen in our latest rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Spirit</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's our first chance to bring up Banzai VBC. We're eager to see <strong>Banzai VBC 17 Select</strong> enter the mix after some impressive results throughout the 2025 campaign. The early-season Northern Lights Qualifier was a lasting highlight for 17 Select, and we can expect that excellence to show up again at AAUs. The Class of 2026 is a big storyline with this team, but we also have some can't-miss 2027s playing up with 17 Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Both <a href="https://twitter.com/Banzaivb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Banzaivb</a> courts are right next to each other on opening day. What a bonus.</p> <p>17 Select starts its noon match against VVA. <a href="https://t.co/XYKJK3INmy">pic.twitter.com/XYKJK3INmy</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885386816829772243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 17 Motion</strong> was a strong Midwest Power League contender this year and brings comparable 2027 influence to 17 Select. This should be a great look at some veteran athletes who are ready to step up on the high school stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Open</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here comes <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Synergy came agonizingly close to an Open bid on the USAV side this year, but Orlando offers a chance at redemption. This vaunted group, which already has two D1 commits from the Class of 2027, will begin its AAU trek as the top seed in Pool K. We're expecting a deep run from 16 Synergy, even in a division loaded with Open-qualified heavyweights and championship frontrunners. Orlando will be buzzing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Premier</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on two more Open-caliber squads in 16 Premier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 16 Apex</strong> tested its mettle in the Open division at USAV events, giving the team plenty of optimism heading into this 16 Premier field. We could see a special performance akin to this team's triumphs on the 15s circuit last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Likewise, <strong>Nebraska Juniors 16 Black</strong> has the firepower and precision to compete with any team in the 16 Premier field. We're especially eager to see 16 Black's small-town stars get to work in Orlando's sprawling convention center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Club</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't overlook these two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Club Legacy 16 Alpha</strong> looks like a dangerous "sleeper pick" in the 16 Club division. This club did damage at several high-profile events, including a 10-0 blitz through Omaha's President's Day Classic. 16 Alpha also has some deep qualifier runs on its ledger, adding to a resume that could pay dividends at AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy</strong> is also lurking as the No. 3 seed in Pool L. This team has capitalized on a special medley of Nebraska and Iowa talent--a true staple in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Select</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depth is on display once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Juniors and [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] add to their tab with additional entries in 16 Select. <strong>Nebraska Juniors 16 Red</strong> will teach us a lot about the club's emerging 2027s as they transition to upperclassman status. Meanwhile, <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Grey</strong> could be a worthy underdog pick after multiple USAV qualifier trips this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Aspire</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's end with a fascinating quartet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Club Legacy 16 Bravo</strong> has our attention in this division. This was a great year for Club Legacy's 16s groups, and 16 Bravo was right in the middle of it with multiple Gold breakthroughs. Perhaps prominent events bring out the best in this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're still stacking the list of Great Plains contenders in 16 American.<a href="https://twitter.com/LegacyVBOmaha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LegacyVBOmaha</a> 16 Bravo begins its win-and-advance pool contest against Iowa United. <a href="https://t.co/jGr5ygTAOE">pic.twitter.com/jGr5ygTAOE</a></p> <p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1911481839921078447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Elite 16 Surge</strong> has followed a similar path. The USAV qualifier stretch produced highlight moments for 16 Surge, especially at NLQ and Show Me. This team lands as the top seed in Pool DD and could maintain its winning ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] goes two-deep with <strong>16 Red</strong> and <strong>16 White</strong> joining the fray. We've seen Nebraska Elite succeed with multi-team entries in the same division, so why not get the same from [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs']?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->