Nebraska Bid Tracker: VCN 17 Elite Endures NLQ's 17 Open Gauntlet

The bid tracker is back!   January's Northern Lights Qualifier usually produces our first wave of GJNC-bound teams from the Great Plains Region. 2026 was no exception, and [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite is getting us started.   And this is a big one. The 17 Open division is notoriously difficult, even with three bids up for grabs at most USAV qualifiers. The nation's best teams and athletes converge on this division in pursuit of GJNC glory, and many clubs circle NLQ as a spot to swipe an early berth. Last weekend's results proved that [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite will be a force in Indianapolis this summer.   Our first Nebraska Bid Tracker feature of the year covers 17 Elite's rise to the Minneapolis podium.     Early Success and Pressure Tests   [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite piled up plenty of victories at NLQ, but few qualifier journeys come without adversity or high-pressure moments.   Still, we alluded to the seemingly smooth-sailing start for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] through the first two rounds in Minneapolis. Our Championship Sunday feature spotlighted the team's 6-0 start in pool play while dropping only one set along the way. 17 Elite was a clear Open contender from Friday's first whistle.   However, NLQ's unique format provides a unique challenge for Open teams. Saturday's pool play begins bright and early in the morning, but teams that advance to Gold pools have unfinished business in the evening. 17 Elite was slotted into a 4 p.m. Saturday match against Dynasty 17 Black to start the all-important final round. It's a long day for athletes and parents, so we never know what to expect from this one-off contest.   [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] fell in a three-set struggle to close out Saturday, putting the team in a tough spot heading into Sunday. We've seen Gold Pool rallies before, but the margin for error narrowed considerably.   Another Kansas City-area foe awaited in Sunday's opener. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] went back and forth with PVA, leading to another third set--and this was a must-win. 17 Elite stayed alive with a 16-14 show-stopper.   As if that wasn't enough pressure, the pool finale pitted [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] against AVC CLE 17 Red in a winner-take-all contest. Whichever squad prevailed in this bout would advance to the third-place match to determine the final 17 Open bid.   17 Elite brought its clutch factor again. The Great Plains representatives slugged through a sweep to topple AVC and get one step closer to a GJNC berth.   The stage was set. [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] met MKE Sting in a rematch from Round 2. That prior meeting ended in a straight-set win for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''], and we got the same result with a Nationals bid at stake. Even with all the pressure, tension, and drama, [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite flexed its composure on the Minneapolis stage.   We'd expect nothing less from Nebraska challengers at NLQ.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/450467290_1094302449034290_3525357962369714580_n.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-566282" style="width:359px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Moser</figcaption></figure>     Stacking the Deck   This veteran cast has weapons at every position. Where do we start?   Perhaps the setter spot is a good way to open. It's a safe bet for any [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] lineup, and 17 Elite has a pair of gems to lead the charge. Minnesota commit Mckinley Moser has always been an extraordinary signal-caller for this group, and that narrative hasn't changed in 2026. Her quickness to the ball and pin-to-pin distribution remain elite.   Elkhorn North standout [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'] has elevated her game, giving 17 Elite a true niche in a two-setter offense. We saw Mauch emerge during [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']'s early-season Colorado visit, where she took charge of 17 Elite's attack in three-hitter rotations. Mauch's defense in the right-back area is also a major upgrade.   17 Elite's ball control prowess extends to the libero position, too. This is where Class of 2028 superstar [player_tooltip player_id='737370' first='Averi' last='Bridges'] has carved out her permanent role. The Ashland-Greenwood defender brings all the pinpoint passing and relentless floor defense you'd expect from a VCN libero. We've also watched Bridges flourish as a vocal leader who will help her fellow passers find a rhythm.   High-impact 2028s are commonplace for 17 Elite, even in an age group dominated by the Class of 2027. [player_tooltip player_id='573382' first='Haleigh' last='Bauer'], [player_tooltip player_id='774910' first='Emma' last='Rink'], and [player_tooltip player_id='575237' first='Madison' last='Zajicek'] form a trio of stellar sophomores who all have game-changing potential in the front row. Bauer and Rink anchor the middle for this group, and a 6-2 system does not limit their routes. We've seen 17 Elite's middle blockers run crossing patterns to keep opposing blockers guessing, and Zajicek is a frequent participant in that action. Adding Zajicek to the right pin makes VCN even more difficult to defend.   Speaking of the right side, [player_tooltip player_id='808017' first='Livia' last='Drevo'] has climbed the ladder in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] gym to become an integral part of 17 Elite's starting rotation. We're used to seeing this Lincoln Christian junior thrive on the left side, but Drevo's versatility has flourished as a full-time opposite with 17 Elite. Frontcourt depth is mounting.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/50-Madison-Zajicek.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-576584" style="width:315px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zajicek</figcaption></figure>   That depth is further bolstered by [player_tooltip player_id='575158' first='Aubree' last='Real']'s addition in the middle. 17 Elite already had a lot of returning talent with Bauer and Rink at the position, but Real's early-season highlight tape has boosted her stock considerably. Open-level competition has not deterred this past Prep Dig Showcase standout.   Finally, we have the left-side hitters. We're not used to lumping [player_tooltip player_id='809396' first='Kaelynn' last='Lottman'] in with this group, but the converted libero flipped that narrative during Norris's championship run last fall. Lottman pairs her high-flying termination with the outstanding first contacts that open up 17 Elite's offense. She can do it all.   [player_tooltip player_id='443108' first='Reese' last='Eilenstine'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807841' first='Alli' last='Bornschlegl'] complete the three-headed monster. Bornschlegl's breakout junior season speaks for itself. Even with all the attacking volume she received last fall, Bornschlegl was one of the state's most efficient hitters. Eilenstine, meanwhile, paced the Elkhorn South onslaught en route to a Class A tournament appearance. They're stacking wins on the biggest stages, and the Northern Lights Qualifier was another step in the journey.   Indianapolis will be another one of those steps.     Bid Tracker     18 Open   Premier Nebraska 18 Gold - KC MLK     17 Open   [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite - NLQ

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