New Faces, New Places at Premier Nebraska MLK Invite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The venue wasn't the only new thing to see at last weekend's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was fortunate enough to spend part of the holiday weekend at the new home of Premier Nebraska and the LOVB Nebraska professional team. This training facility adds another outstanding event space to the Great Plains Region and reflects the growing influence of prep volleyball in the Cornhusker State. What a way to usher in the 2026 club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we were treated to some brilliant volleyball, too. The Premier Nebraska MLK Invite brought in various Midwest powerhouses and allowed teams to hone their early-season skills ahead of the qualifier grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was also a way for us to catch up with roster changes. Rosters rarely stay completely intact from one season to the next, as clubs find ways to shuffle the deck and wield the best combinations available. Today's feature helps bridge the gap by addressing what's new among some of Nebraska's top club squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on these gems competing with new teammates in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458167"],"_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-696eb2fd086e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Welcome to the Synergy crew. Volkmer spearheaded a tremendous 2025 season for [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black, and she kept the ball rolling by helping Lincoln North Star earn Class A's No. 1 seed last fall. This high-flying outside hitter jumps up to 17 Synergy after earning some reps with the team during last summer's postseason. Last weekend's event revealed Volkmer's incredibly diverse value in the starting lineup. She can slot into the middle-back area and pass dimes as a DS. Of course, opposing teams also have to keep tabs on Volkmer's quick arm in any rotation. 17 Synergy has unlimited options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499010"],"_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-696eb2fd08761"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 17 Black is taking this "newness" theme to another level. This year's lineup looks a lot different than 2025, and we might as well lead off the conversation with Ferguson. The Elkhorn junior logged another 300-dig prep campaign with the Antlers last fall and proved herself against the state's best offenses. Ferguson's ascent continues as she climbs the ladder to Premier Nebraska 17 Black, fortifying the team's backcourt and serve receive. We lauded the army of defensive specialists on last year's 16 Red squad, so Ferguson brings a lot of high-level success to the fray.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521183"],"_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-696eb2fd087b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Ferguson, Eck has moved from last year's 16 Red group to the 17 Black crew for 2026. This physical 2027 prospect has been a multi-faceted force in the Premier Nebraska gym, but her blocking presence was particularly stark last year. We have vivid memories of Eck taking over matches for 16 Red with her active hands and pin-to-pin quickness. This had landed Eck a spot on 17 Black, where her refined technique will continue to flourish. Last weekend's tournament was just the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591636"],"_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-696eb2fd08828"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graves already looks like the perfect addition to the Premier Nebraska 17 Black lineup. She knows what it takes to shut down elite attackers at the Open level, and the junior opposite catalyzed another Papio South championship last fall. This season-opening event offered a glimpse at Graves' growing repertoire as an attacker, especially in first-ball situations. We're used to seeing Graves tee off on the right side, but she worked in some middle routes and crossing patterns last weekend, too. Expect some high-volume scoring outings from this decorated athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774904"],"_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-696eb2fd088bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is a big one. Solomon didn't take long to stake her claim as an elite setter-opposite in Nebraska's Class of 2028. We still remember when Solomon arrived on the 15s scene--while playing up a year, of course--and guided her team to a GJNC berth. Since then, Solomon has broken into the Papio South lineup and charged to last year's title triumph. The journey has taken Solomon to Premier Nebraska 17 Gold, a group fresh off an Open bid through the 2025 Show Me Qualifier. 17 Gold now has an instant influx of setting and attacking prowess to keep this team in the national conversation. Game-changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896272"],"_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-696eb2fd08943"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even the 2029 landscape is changing. Gerdes introduced herself through last month's Nebraska Exposure Tour, where her length and quickness were immediately put on display. She had spent the prior club season on Premier Nebraska's 14 Red roster, but Gerdes has made a big jump for 2026. Her new home is Premier Nebraska 15 Gold, a team with no shortage of frontcourt options and eye-catching athletes. Gerdes fits right in with her ability to elevate in front of the setter and mix up shots on the quick. The MLK Invite showed us how balanced 15 Gold can become while Gerdes is patrolling the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->