Nebraska’s Surprise 17s from AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring the 17s spotlight to Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch closer to the high school season, we're looking ahead to which rising seniors could be poised for big gains in their swan song campaign. Our post-Nationals coverage has already leaned into the 2027s and 2028s, but we also need to give the veterans their due credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surprise 17s from USAV Nationals have been in the spotlight, so we naturally turn toward Orlando for our next wave of surging seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276192"],"_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-6878b0fc4716f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Elite 17 Phoenix's successful stint in Orlando had a lot to do with North's consistency at the setter spot. The Douglas County West standout has a knack for distributing in three-hitter rotations and can even establish herself as a set-over attacking threat from the back row. North's persistence and hustle set the tone for 17 Phoenix, even as several frontcourt players earned reps at different positions. Setting continuity was a game-changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349476"],"_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-6878b0fc471d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of multi-position attackers, Eggerling's versatility has been a key to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black's excellence throughout 2025. We've seen Eggerling thrive as a pin hitter much of her prep career, but her willingness to step into the middle has brought 17 Black to the next level. The Lincoln Northwest senior rises off the floor and makes herself a constant transition attacking threat. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] has taken full advantage en route to several deep runs through national qualifiers. AAU Nationals added to Eggerling's stock-riser narrative.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275961"],"_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-6878b0fc47223"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wattier is built for stages like AAU Nationals. She has reached multiple state tournaments as a setter-hitter for Norfolk Catholic, and 2025 could offer more of the same. Before her senior campaign, however, Wattier had unfinished business with Nebraska Juniors 17 Black in Orlando. She dished out a quick, explosive offense that adapted well to a stacked 17 Premier division. Wattier also exhibited the same aggression we've come to expect in her signature setter-opposite hybrid role. The fall season will bring the full arsenal back into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509537"],"_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-6878b2b001342"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're staying in the Nebraska Juniors gym for our next rising senior. Nebraska Juniors 17 Red slugged through Orlando's 17 Club division and put athletes like Pieper on an outstanding trajectory to close out 2025. Pieper embodies the quick, agile style that has defined several other successful Nebraska Juniors middles. She glides from pin to pin to give 17 Red a reliable, well-formed block against pin attackers. Of course, this quality also helps Pieper expand the team's frontcourt offense, which carried 17 Red to several gritty victories at AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396752"],"_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-6878b0fc47271"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Banzai VBC 17 Select gave us the perfect blend of frontcourt weapons and ball-control gems. The latter has been anchored by Torpy, who commanded the libero position through 17 Select's AAU Nationals journey. The Millard West senior is an instinctive defender who excels at stepping into open seams in the block. Aside from her tremendous floor defense, Torpy also provides the serve-receive stability that allows 17 Select's physical talent to thrive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["582843"],"_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-6878b2b0013e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It might be difficult to find a "surprise" candidate for [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 17 Navy after the team's championship run in 2024. The team was a match away from repeating the feat this year, and Murcek has been a force during the team's multi-year dominance. Her offensive contributions at the net are always notable, but we also have to hone in on Murcek's influence as a six-rotation asset. She patrols the middle-back area with confidence and boosted 17 Navy's ball control in Orlando's highest-pressure situations. That's a perfect transition to Class A battles with Millard South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349464"],"_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-6878b2b001426"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Suljuzovic has established herself as a featured attacker for Club Legacy 17 Alpha--even if she's blurring the lines between positions. The Omaha Marian veteran has a strong background as a middle blocker, but her pin production with 17 Alpha has rewritten her scouting report. She terminates over blockers and has a wide, explosive approach on the left side. Suljuzovic has meshed with many of her Omaha Marian teammates in the Club Legacy gym, providing the setup for a major senior breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->