Nebraska 17s Teams Taking on First Northern Lights Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The qualifier gauntlet begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For many Great Plains Region competitors, the annual Northern Lights Qualifier is a major stop on the USAV calendar. This Minneapolis qualifier draws some of Nebraska's top teams, all of which are pursuing a coveted GJNC berth. The NLQ journey starts this weekend with the 18s and 17s. Lock in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's 17s squads have occupied a portion of the spotlight after recent events like the GPR Gold Series. That spotlight is about to get much brighter in Minneapolis, and we have a full breakdown of the Great Plains representatives making the trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Open</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start with a familiar cast of Open stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy</strong>, <strong>Nebraska Elite 17-1</strong>, and <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite</strong> make up the Great Plains Region trio heading north to Minneapolis. Storylines abound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 was a year of near-misses for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy. This group proved itself at the Open level but narrowly missed out on the big prize on last year's qualifier circuit. However, the team proved itself through AAU Nationals and has already found its stride as 17s. Expect the incredible frontcourt cast of [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'], [player_tooltip player_id='458060' first='Reagan' last='Meyers'], and [player_tooltip player_id='555495' first='Shayla' last='Rautenberg'] to loom large at NLQ. Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'] will find the hot hand while running the show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're fresh off our first scouting look at Nebraska Elite 17-1 at the GPR Gold Series. We'll see emerging 2027s like [player_tooltip player_id='458184' first='Myla' last='Deats'], [player_tooltip player_id='773394' first='Brielle' last='Carmichael'], and [player_tooltip player_id='521226' first='Callie' last='Petersen'] pace the offense along the net. Don't forget about the defensive duo of [player_tooltip player_id='833888' first='Kayla' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521215' first='Mary' last='Bahle'], either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then, we have the Lincoln crew. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite boasts a unique blend of 2027s and 2028s, so recruiters will have plenty of incentive to follow this group. Minnesota-bound setter [player_tooltip player_id='458165' first='McKinley' last='Moser'] leads an attack that will lean on 2028s like [player_tooltip player_id='573382' first='Haleigh' last='Bauer'], [player_tooltip player_id='575237' first='Madison' last='Zajicek'], and [player_tooltip player_id='774910' first='Emma' last='Rink']. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='807841' first='Alli' last='Bornschlegl'] should remain the leading terminator after a dominant championship run with Norris last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2015446150925488165?s=20","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/2015446150925488165?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 USA</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another stacked trio enters the picture in 17 USA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on our first Premier Nebraska shoutout. <strong>Premier Nebraska 17 Black</strong> has been grinding through early regional events while experimenting with a new-look lineup for 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='808223' first='Ava' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='591636' first='Maddox' last='Graves'], and [player_tooltip player_id='499010' first='Bailey' last='Ferguson'] are just a few of the fresh faces with big opportunities to shine with 17 Black. Other 17 Black veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='521156' first='Nevaeh' last='Jacobson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='834155' first='Kenzie' last='Morris'] have seen the NLQ mountaintop before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black</strong> was another top performer against in-state foes at the GPR Gold Series. And, like the aforementioned Premier Nebraska squad, roster shuffles are a prevailing storyline for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']. Waverly libero [player_tooltip player_id='521256' first='Emmalyn' last='Quinn'] bolsters the backcourt, while [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'] transforms 17 Black's scoring presence on the left side. Of course, returning gems like [player_tooltip player_id='458146' first='Alex' last='Kroll'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807924' first='Elsie' last='Schmidt'] are building off outstanding high school seasons and individual breakthroughs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lincoln-area theme persists with <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black</strong> entering the 17 USA race. Minneapolis will be a brilliant early test for roster additions like [player_tooltip player_id='458130' first='Haleah' last='Schuerman'], [player_tooltip player_id='828162' first='Aunalie' last='Scribner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='453482' first='McKenzie' last='Sidlo']. Lineup options abound, making VCN 17 Black one of the most fascinating Great Plains competitors in the NLQ field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 Liberty</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a solo operation for <strong>Banzai VBC 17 Select</strong> in NLQ's 17 Liberty race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This division puts two bids up for grabs, so 17 Select will be aiming high. Like many of the other teams we've discussed, Banzai VBC will rely on new acquisitions in 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='773386' first='Emma' last='Derogatis'] is a multi-talented defender to watch for 17 Select, and McKinley Blackburn should lead the way for the team's 2028s. NLQ will teach us a lot about this group's under-the-radar prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17 American</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're closing out with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 American typically draws the largest number of participants, so it's no surprise to see five Nebraska teams on the division's list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576539,"width":"312px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/4-Elliana-Bass.jpg?w=973" alt="" class="wp-image-576539" style="width:312px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bass</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we're on Banzai VBC, this Omaha-area club doubles down with <strong>Banzai VBC 17 Power</strong> traveling to NLQ with 17 Select. 17 Power's impressive combination of physicality and ball control was an instant hit at the GPR Gold Series. [player_tooltip player_id='521302' first='Macy' last='Rands'] runs the show at the setter spot and meshes well with 2028s like [player_tooltip player_id='930895' first='Claire' last='Pearson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='572011' first='Elliana' last='Bass']. Age variety is a big storyline for 17 Power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the show, Nebraska Juniors. <strong>Nebraska Juniors 17 Black</strong> should have lofty expectations in this division with its recognizable list of prep standouts. [player_tooltip player_id='498996' first='Alex' last='Ervin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443105' first='London' last='Meints'] were featured terminators for top-seeded high school teams last fall. Suzi Riggins, [player_tooltip player_id='809704' first='Katelyn' last='Krikac'], and [player_tooltip player_id='458174' first='Sydni' last='Homolka'] add to the firepower at the net. It's a stacked squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another introduction is due for one of Club Legacy's must-see teams, too. <strong>Club Legacy 17 Bravo</strong> made serious NLQ noise as 16s last year, so the bar is high for 2026. Becken Case and [player_tooltip player_id='575171' first='Parker' last='Steskal'] lead an exemplary backcourt unit, but that's just the beginning. Veteran setter [player_tooltip player_id='773379' first='Ava' last='Newbauer'] has been at her best in Minneapolis, so first and second contacts should be locked in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, we're treated with a [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] triple threat with <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Lime</strong>'s presence in 17 American. Multi-position gems like [player_tooltip player_id='762193' first='Addison' last='Nauenburg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521278' first='Gemma' last='Jones'] add to [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE']'s incredible depth in the Class of 2027. [player_tooltip player_id='521269' first='Kennedy' last='Dominy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521277' first='Emily' last='Nguyen'] provide vital continuity at the ball control positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about Nebraska Elite 17 Surge? We know all about how last year's 16 Surge lineup stepped up on 2025's qualifier stages. Many of that team's stars are back. [player_tooltip player_id='521244' first='Quinn' last='Sanmann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='508161' first='Nevaeh' last='Hilderbrand'] are a wicked outside hitter duo, and [player_tooltip player_id='521242' first='Alexis' last='Hewitt'] will complement them well on the other side. Take your pick in 17 American.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->