Ten Players to Watch at Sunday’s Nebraska Elite Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regional beat rolls on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early-season tournaments are in full swing across the Great Plains Region. We've made a pair of stops at the new Premier Nebraska gym for the Premier Showcase and the first iteration of the GPR Gold Series. Our barnstorming tour would inevitably make a stop at Nebraska Elite, and that's where the next regional outing is going down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Nebraska Elite Classic comes at a fascinating spot in the club calendar. It's smashed between the Northern Lights Qualifier and Presidents' Day Weekend--perhaps the biggest handful of days of the club season. We're bound to learn a few things at Sunday's event, and we have some players to watch, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some names we already have in mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458159"],"_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-6987a6287233f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bails is a must-watch player thanks to all the roles she can carry for Premier Nebraska 17 Gold. We've already seen her full repertoire at early regional tournaments, and the Elite Classic should offer a continuation of that trend. Bails can tee off on either pin for 17 Gold, but she has also donned the libero jersey to hone her defensive leadership skills. This state champion does everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521269"],"_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-6987a628723bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] has quickly flexed its 17s depth in the 2026 season. The club brought a strong trio to last weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier, bringing under-the-radar prospects like Dominy back into the spotlight. The Seward setter dished out a smooth offense at NLQ and maintained the groove she established at the GPR Gold Series. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Lime has more milestones to chase against regional foes this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458125"],"_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-6987a6287241a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">February is usually a big month for Snyder and her Club Legacy 17 Alpha team. Last year's group stormed through the Presidents' Day Classic in Omaha, setting the tone for an exceptional spring campaign. Snyder's stock continued to soar after a trip to the Class C1 semifinals with Omaha Concordia. This high-flying pin hitter gets back to business at the Elite Classic, hoping to rekindle some of that 2025 magic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743475"],"_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-6987a62872473"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Elite 16 Alpha will likely operate through its middle blockers this year, so expect plenty of attacking opportunities for Linnen this weekend. This is a strong, imposing athlete who can produce wicked angles in front of the setter. Her range has expanded in the Nebraska Elite gym, leading to her steady rise in our Nebraska 2028 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["766750"],"_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-6987a628724ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're staying in the middle for this one. Ramirez-Rousseau was part of a steady climb for last year's [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite lineup, culminating in a 15 National berth through the Great Plains Region. The Lincoln Pius X sophomore can execute the wide array of routes and patterns that are expected of a [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] middle blocker. No matter which system 16 Elite favors this year, Ramirez-Rousseau will be a focal point of the team's in-system offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749311"],"_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-6987a6287251f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're eager to reunite with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Titanium, a team that challenged itself on the Open circuit last season. Wiig undoubtedly has the length and net presence to compete at such a high level, and her development will continue into 2026. The Lincoln Lutheran sophomore can slot into the middle or on the right side, giving 16 Titanium plenty of change-up options at Sunday's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774622"],"_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-6987a62872564"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The accolades rolled in for Johnson in 2025. She helped last year's South Central NE 15 Black crew reach USAV Nationals, but that was just the start. The Holdrege sophomore earned all-GJNC honors and carried that momentum right into the fall season with the Dusters. Johnson's elite physicality and blocking technique catalyzed one of the best Cinderella stories we've seen at the state tournament. What will 2026 bring for South Central NE?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932957"],"_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-6987a628725a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on the next wave of South Central stars. Last year's South Central NE 15 Black squad set a high bar, but 2026's group has the talent to keep the good times rolling. Hinton will be a go-to scorer for 15 Black after putting up 3.5 kills per set with Adams Central last fall. This was one of Nebraska's most prolific freshman outside hitters on the 2025 prep stage, so we have sky-high expectations for Hinton on the club side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918755"],"_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-6987a62872604"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska 15 Gold has leveraged a two-setter offense throughout much of this year's early-season action, allowing the team's right-side hitter depth to flourish in the front row. Donner is a vital cog in that effort, as she produces indefensible heat behind the setter. Moreover, this Gretna freshman is an exceptional wing blocker who can challenge the best outside hitters on the 15s circuit. The Nebraska Elite Classic will provide another glimpse of Donner's all-around prowess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778211"],"_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-6987a62872651"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's about time we checked in with Nebraska Elite's top 15s crew. The 15 Apex roster is loaded with athletes who have already shone with their respective high schools or excelled at last year's Prep Dig Circuit events. Kluver made a big impression at December's Exposure Tour and is an instant game-changer in the back row. Her command of Nebraska Elite's serve receive will allow the team's frontcourt stars to elevate and terminate at Sunday's Elite Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->