Nebraska 2028s Flying High after Triple Crown NIT

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no better venue to make an early-season statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triple Crown NIT draws elite prep volleyball teams from every corner of the United States. Kansas City becomes a convergence point for the next generation of show-stopping athletes. The national landscape isn't complete without Nebraska, and NIT's Cornhusker State representatives carried the state banner well last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Great Plains excellence was especially prevalent among Nebraska's Class of 2028. The 2028s would inevitably see a large portion of the Triple Crown spotlight with open contact and recruitment beginning this summer. We still have a lot of high-profile events to cover until then, but several of Nebraska's sophomores are already boosting their stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a glimpse at who thrived against America's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575237"],"_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-6994f3336b5b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Most 2028s occupy the 16s age group this year, but we have a lot of 17s competitors to discuss after NIT. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite has set the standard for the Great Plains Region lately, and the team has leveraged its depth from the Class of 2028. Zajicek played a key role on the right side during 17 Elite's bid-earning triumph at NLQ. That's already a great start to the season, but Zajicek was ready to aim higher during 17 Elite's visit to Kansas City. The Omaha Skutt Catholic sophomore scored at will at the opposite position, helping [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] reach Triple Crown's Elite semifinals. Zajicek and her squad have racked up a head-spinning list of accolades this year, and it's only February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["573382"],"_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-6994f3336b6c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">17 Elite's 2028 influence expands at the middle blocker spot. Bauer has been rising to prominence ever since Lincoln Southeast's breakout berth in last year's Class A tournament. That fall season highlighted Bauer's strength as a pin hitter, but she shifts over to the middle for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']. It's a worthy move for one of Nebraska's most physically imposing prospects in the Class of 2028. Bauer thrives in front of the setter and carves indefensible angles on the quick. She also participates in the wide array of crossing patterns that [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] is known to deploy. Last weekend's podium push was another big step in Bauer's months-long ascent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555495"],"_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-6994f3336b746"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This conversation wouldn't be complete without our top-ranked athlete in the class. Once again, we have a middle blocker who dominates at the net against older peers. Rautenberg's career resume speaks for itself, particularly after she led Milford to last year's Class C1 title. She is enjoying a busy start to the year, from smashing records on the basketball court to leading [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy's offensive onslaught. Rautenberg often takes first-ball swings on the outside to give [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] critical sideouts. When you have a talent like this at the net, you want her to swing as much as possible.</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-6994f3336b7bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have one more from the 17s camp. Solomon has steadily climbed the ladder with Premier Nebraska, leading to her latest jump into the 17 Gold lineup. She has quickly proven that her dual setter-opposite role can translate to the highest level of competition that the nation can offer--even while Solomon is playing up a year. The Papio South state champion provides steady guidance out of the back row and brings an absolute hammer along the net. This dichotomy will shape the way Premier Nebraska approaches its journey in the 17 Open division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["702898"],"_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-6994f3336cc88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small-town stars can excel on club volleyball's biggest stages, and Luebbe has provided the latest testament. The Aurora High School gem flourished in Year 2 with the Huskies, nearly climbing to a postseason berth with her underdog crew. Her prowess on the right side translates well to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite's multi-faceted pin-to-pin offense. Luebbe was a vital catalyst to her team's 2-1 record in Saturday's pools, clinching a spot in the ultra-competitive challenge round. Future tests await on the qualifier circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773875"],"_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-6994f3336cd4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 16 Gold earned its way to the challenge round, giving us an up-close look at the team's cast of emerging stars. "Emerging" is a perfect way to describe Nielsen, who joins 16 Gold after becoming the go-to terminator for last year's 15 Black squad. Nielsen did not shy away from the crucible of Triple Crown competition. She exhibited her full range with several savvy shots and effective tool shots on the left side. The Millard West can also anchor the right side if needed, giving 16 Gold even more options to explore in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->