Nebraska’s Surprise 17s from USAV Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too late to climb the ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our flurry of post-Nationals coverage has honed in on many of Nebraska's future stars, but what about the decorated veteran leaders? The 17s club season often reveals which athletes are ready for a senior surge. This is especially important when we have a wealth of uncommitted stars who are eager to make a final impression at the prep level. Nationals is the perfect bridge to the final high school act.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wave 2 in Dallas brought several surprise 17s to the fold, and we're ready to see these names in the senior spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349416"],"_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-6876bbfa5417e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 17 Gold retooled its middle blocker position for the 2025 season, allowing Larsen to hone her skills against the nation's best Open competition. We've seen Larsen expand her attacking repertoire this spring, particularly in 17 Gold's wide array of crossing patterns. Larsen also boosts the team's physicality and can reliably close blocks against quick offenses. These skills will continue to flourish as Larsen embarks on another title defense with Papio South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276201"],"_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-6876bbfa541f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that this multi-year state champion had another exceptional outing on the club stage. However, Emery's persistent dominance, despite various roster shuffles for South Central NE 17 Black, has still amazed us all. This multi-talented athlete was a 17 Liberty all-tournament honoree after channeling her setter-attacker experience at GJNC. Our feature is talking about surprises, but don't be surprised if Emery has Minden back in the state title race this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275895"],"_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-6876bbfa5424f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">South Central NE 17 Black's roster evolution has brought DeJonge's attacking prowess into focus more than ever before. The Adams Central senior shouldered an all-around role with 17 Black and was instrumental in keeping the team in title contention. DeJonge emerged as one of South Central NE's top passers and scored at will with her quick right arm. No matter which position takes precedence in DeJonge's senior year, she is bound to make a massive impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219728"],"_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-6876bbfa5429c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black had a seemingly infinite pool of star setters to wield. Hengelfelt, who has excelled as a setter and an attacker at Cross County High School, seized a major starting role at GJNC and upgraded the team's strong ball control. This small-town star pushed the pace from pin to pin and left plenty of open seams on the outside. Hengelfelt also reminded us of her aggressive mindset as a backcourt defender, allowing 17 Black to stay in long rallies in Dallas. This ascent to the big stage will prepare Hengelfelt for her swan song season with a state tournament contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575157"],"_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-6876bbfa542e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black's ball control, Real's breakout performance at GJNC brought a new level of consistency to the team's first contacts. This Class of 2027 prospect played up a year with 17 Black and held down the libero jersey during this summer's high-stakes Dallas trip. Real produced the pinpoint passes and transition digs that we remember seeing from her at a past Prep Dig Showcase outing. Her positive momentum will make Real a player to watch with one of Class B's volleyball powerhouses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524200"],"_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-6876bbfa54332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brummund's rise continues. She made a splash with Omaha Skutt Catholic last fall as a high-impact defensive specialist who wielded one of the state's toughest serves. Since then, Brummund rose to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite's libero spot and helped the team amass a winning record at GJNC. VCN's best teams are often known for quality passing and relentless defense, so Brummund's leadership has led to her recent climb in the 2026 rankings. The next goal is to bring Skutt Catholic back to the Class B podium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253933"],"_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-6876bbfa5437c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're ready for some serious parity in the Lincoln prep volleyball race. Svendsen is poised for a big senior year at Lincoln Southeast after finishing the club season strong with VCN 17 Elite. She showed the full skillset needed to play the 'M1' role, including a wicked serve in her backcourt rotation. Svendsen is playing her most explosive volleyball at the right time and will surely back that up on the high school stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->