Nebraska 15s Off to Quick Start in 2026 Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already learned so much about Nebraska's Class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you've been following the flurry of new year activity on the site, you'll know we aren't far removed from the release of our first Nebraska 2029 watch list. That update drew on a lot of insights from last year's high school season, but we knew the club campaign would bring an entirely new wave of athletes into the spotlight. It's already happening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had some time to sit back and digest early-season action along with our visit to the Premier Nebraska MLK Invitational. Here's an overview of which names have stood out from Day 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780405"],"_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-697533a25a5c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our early coverage of Premier Nebraska 15 Gold has frequently focused on frontcourt talent, but we have to credit the defenders locking down the end line. Mertens established herself as a backcourt leader for Premier Nebraska 15 Gold at the club's MLK Weekend outing. This Pius X prep star made quick first steps to place herself in a spot to pass dimes. Mertens accompanied her strong first contacts with smooth secondary sets when needed. Ball control could be an underrated factor in 15 Gold's success at the Open level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765196"],"_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-697533a25a672"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's our chance to check in with the emerging game-changer from Omaha Westside. Meister left a lasting impression through last year's state tournament, piloting the Warrior offense to a Class A semifinal berth. She then visited our Nebraska Exposure Tour last December and carried her late-season momentum even further. Meister brings exceptional touch and finesse to the setter spot, but she also boasts the physicality to square up with opposing hitters at the net. Power League reps have already revealed her leadership qualities with Nebraska Elite's top 15s squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907783"],"_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-697533a25a6f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We shouldn't be surprised to see Tate anchoring the end line for Nebraska Elite 15-1. She was one of Class A's most influential freshmen during the 2025 season and aided Elkhorn South's postseason return. Tate logged nearly 250 digs in just 41 sets, cementing her status as a late-season stock riser. And, like Meister, Tate's skills translated well to our showcase circuit, too. Above all, Tate is eager to put in the work needed to help her teammates excel. That's the value of an elite libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933046"],"_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-697533a25a774"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska is developing serious depth at the 15s level. Busch is a rare athlete who combines lethal attacking prowess with a penchant for passing in the back row. We saw this Skutt Catholic freshman shoulder various roles during the Premier Nebraska's MLK Invite, but her ball control was the star of the show. Whether she was wearing 15 Black's libero jersey or coming in off the bench, Busch brought an instant upgrade to the serve-receive pattern in any zone. We're ready to see what the next early-season venues have in store.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912949"],"_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-697533a25a7ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blauhorn soars well beyond her five-foot-five frame, leading to some stunning, highlight-worthy swings. This high-flying freshman was an immediate contributor for Wood River last fall, racking up triple-digit kills and over three digs per set. Blauhorn is a true six-rotation threat whose ball control is just as impactful as her frontcourt swings. Her South Central NE 15 Black squad started its season in the Banzai VBC gym and tallied four victories against regional foes. The small-town underdogs keep producing powerhouse teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932956"],"_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-697533a25a884"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite kicked off its regional tour at the Midwest Power League, giving us a glimpse at the team's diverse cast of 2029 stars. Perrine stands out for her ability to elevate and terminate no matter what set she's given. The Lincoln Christian freshman notched an eye-popping 3.1 kills per set in her debut season with the Crusaders, so she was already on our radar for 2026. VCN 15 Elite will lean on Perrine's willingness to take a large volume of swings and find ways to deliver while out of system. It's a hallmark trait of any pin hitter in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->