Nebraska’s Must-See Gems Outside of TC NIT Power Pools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the "underdogs."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The massive scale of Triple Crown NIT always takes us aback. This annual invitational draws a broad, national group of elite club teams to compete for early-season glory in America's heartland. Many of those top competitors reside in the event's coveted power pools, as mentioned in yesterday's Nebraska <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/nebraska-teams-taking-on-triple-crown-nit-power-pools/">preview</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, not every star-studded team in NIT's massive field can start its journey in power pools. Past Triple Crown outings have given us countless dark-horse squads that have climbed the ladder through high-pressure pool play. Even with the threat of immediate elimination looming, these underdogs always find a way to reach the Elite bracket spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska teams are not precluded from those Cinderella stories, and we have a few Great Plains athletes to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231947"],"_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-698ced281be18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's the final ride for the Class of 2026, and Haase's ascent has been one of our favorite storylines to follow from this group. The Exeter-Milligan/Friend outside hitter led her school to new heights during her prep career, culminating in an appearance in 2024's Class D1 championship match. Haase finished with 1,500 career kills with the Bobcats, and her influence with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] has been just as immense. She has joined a new-look 18 Elite group this year and will not shy away from the big-time opportunity at Triple Crown. This Midland-bound athlete is at her best when pressure mounts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458123"],"_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-698ced281be75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 17 Gold is surely a team to watch among the pool play "outsiders." This group brings vast Open experience to the fold and clinched its 2025 GJNC berth through Kansas City's Show Me Qualifier. Lauenstein has been a focal point of the team's operation throughout, and she's bringing even more all-around influence to the 17s circuit. We've grown accustomed to Lauenstein's quick arm in the front row, but she has also become one of 17 Gold's most productive servers, too. That versatility will be key to Premier Nebraska's Elite ascent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575234"],"_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-698ced281beb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're going from one pin to another. Janssen plays up from the Class of 2028 and wields a wicked lefty swing on the right side. The Gretna southpaw has represented different club teams throughout her career with Premier Nebraska, and her expanding role with 17 Gold has brought Janssen's best moments yet. Facing off against older peers at NIT will be no problem for our top-ranked right-side hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567542"],"_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-698ced281bef9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll now check in on Premier Nebraska 16 Gold, which begins its Triple Crown journey as the top seed in Pool R. 16 Gold's frontcourt talent has generated plenty of recent headlines, but we also need to credit the team's back-row leaders. Nowling has commanded the team's contrasting jersey for multiple seasons and brings exceptional serve-receive stability to the floor. Her steady platform can also be used to deliver well-located sets to the pin in out-of-system situations. Whatever skill is needed, Nowling always steps up for 16 Gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["662829"],"_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-698ced281bf37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another top-seeded Great Plains contender joins the party. VCNebraska 16 Elite sits atop Pool S and brings plenty of notable names to Kansas City this weekend. Jacobsen has flourished with 16 Elite in early-season action and has broadened her skillset at the middle blocker spot. Her slide attacking has progressed considerably, making Jacobsen an ideal choice for the M1 position. Regardless of where Jacobsen finds herself in the lineup, this York native will find ways to sway any given match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["838311"],"_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-698ced281bf73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VCNebraska's setter pipeline keeps churning out game-changers. It's even more impressive to see Vejraska providing maturity and leadership for VCN 16 Elite while playing up from the Class of 2029. The Norris freshman reached the Class B mountaintop with the Titans last fall, so Vejraska is well acquainted with prominent venues. She brings the kind of pin-to-pin "gunslinger" mentality that we'd expect from a VCNebraska setter, and her connections are growing stronger with more high-level reps. Triple Crown NIT will strengthen those bonds further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932964"],"_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-698ced281bfaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're all about small-town stars on big club stages. Even after just one high school season, Bosshamer has already racked up an enviable list of accolades. She anchored the middle for Amherst last fall and helped the Broncos win the Class D1 title as the No. 1 seed. Bosshamer has already leveraged that experience with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite and will accelerate her development at NIT. Look for this hard-hitting athlete to produce plenty of highlight-worthy moments in front of the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932980"],"_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-698ced281bfea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're getting a double dose of Premier Nebraska in the 15s age group. Premier Nebraska 15 Black hopes to join its 15 Gold counterparts in the Round of 64, and Pfannenstiel could play a big part in helping the team get there. This is one of the most unique setter-opposites we've seen at the 15s level in a while. Pfannenstiel runs a precise offense out of the back row and presents a multi-faceted attacking threat when she enters the frontcourt. We've seen 15 Black run her on various crossing patterns to keep opposing blockers guessing. That tremendous range will be on full display among NIT's diverse list of 15s entries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->