Nebraska Prep Dig Showcase Alums Shine at AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not check in with a few more showcase alums?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're one week away from our annual summer showcase doubleheader in La Vista. These events will feature dozens of current high school stars, while also providing our first glimpse at the Class of 2029. We've always considered this our "bridge" to the high school season, and we're planning some rankings updates for our post-event coverage, too. Even the offseason is busy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recent features have delved into GJNC's standout showcase alums (enough athletes for a <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/07/nebraskas-prep-dig-showcase-alums-shine-at-usav-nationals/">Part 1</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/07/nebraska-prep-dig-showcase-alums-shine-at-usav-nationals-pt-2/">Part 2</a>). We can expand our reach further by bringing AAU Nationals into the discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253922"],"_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-687a8c95688ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hazzard was a standout during the early years of the Prep Dig Circuit, so we've been able to follow her career progression from the beginning. The Lincoln Southwest senior has brought a do-everything mentality to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black. She can step in to run the offense or deliver clutch serving runs from off the bench, giving 17 Black a wealth of lineup options. The team's successful season can be encapsulated by Hazzard's selfless play and on-court leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575171"],"_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-687a8c956894c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gritty defense defined Club Legacy 16 Bravo's tremendous 2025 campaign. Steskal embodied this trait when she competed on last year's Prep Dig Circuit, and she carried that momentum into the club season. The Elkhorn junior can command any zone along the end line and adds to 16 Bravo's intensity in the backcourt. The result was a breakout season that has put many of Club Legacy's 2027s on our radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575166"],"_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-687a8c9568993"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swenson has become one of the quickest stock risers in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym. She was a frequent catalyst to 16 Navy's best moments in Orlando and brought a steady hand to the left-side hitter spot. Swenson is particularly adept at working over opposing blockers to find the open court with her off-speed shots. Her appearance at our Prep Dig Showcase made a big impression, but Swenson is reaching even higher in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458185"],"_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-687a8c95689d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Add another big achievement to Thayer-Mencke's tab. This high-flying lefty opposite helped [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy reach Orlando's 16 Open podium, even as the team shuffled its lineup for postseason play. 16 Synergy leveraged Thayer-Mencke's exceptional range on the right side and brought its offense to a new level at AAUs. We're due for some big numbers out of Thayer-Mencke's first upperclassman season at Fort Calhoun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521226"],"_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-687a8c9568a15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on another Elkhorn High School star. Petersen had a show-stopping frontcourt performance in Orlando and added new layers to her middle-blocking excellence. She earned tons of 'M1' reps at AAUs, allowing Petersen to showcase her terminal ability on the slide. Petersen also did incredible work in the 'gap' and often fooled opposing blockers with her diverse route combinations. Expect a big impact on the Omaha-area prep scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521295"],"_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-687a8c9568a54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward made double-digit dig performances look like an ordinary occurrence. She was a defensive gem in Orlando and caught our attention through her quick reflexes and fast-twitch movements. Ward's infectious energy is the kind of quality we love to see among liberos at showcase events, but this Lincoln East star is bringing that vibe everywhere. Nebraska Juniors keeps piling up quality defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575063"],"_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-687a8c9568a92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're venturing back to Wave 2 of AAU Nationals to visit with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 15 Titanium, the lone Nebraska entry in 15 Open. Bartunek has taken full advantage of 15 Titanium's challenging 2025 schedule and has led at the setter spot throughout. Freeman High School has several notable veterans for this year's team, but Bartunek is making her case to be a high-impact underclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["562301"],"_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-687a8c9568ad0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Elite 15s were well-represented at last summer's Freshman Showcase, allowing us to get an early look at eye-catching athletes like Damper. This Omaha Westside standout was a six-rotation asset during team drills at our event, and we can say the same about her role with Nebraska Elite 15 Koa. Damper's squad piled up wins in Orlando and wrapped up the 2025 season on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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 -->