Which Nebraska 2029s Surprised Us at Triple Crown NIT?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday's feature delved into a few of Nebraska's 2028s who seized the spotlight in Kansas City last weekend. Triple Crown NIT has a way of introducing us to prep volleyball's stars of the present and future. The latter is the focus of today's coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're still in the "discovery" phase with the Class of 2029. Last year's high school season gave us an exclusive group of 2029s worth following, but the club season expands our reach much more. The Cornhusker State provided several notable 2029 gems who excelled on the 15s scene and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And they're just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Evelyn Bruck","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blair","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Premier Nebraska","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69950712776ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska doubled down on its NIT participation in the 15s age group. While 15 Gold was sparring in power pools, Premier Nebraska 15 Black earned its way to the challenge round with a 2-1 Saturday start. Bruck spearheaded that effort with her physicality and all-around skillset at the middle blocker spot. She brought tremendous hustle in transition, allowing 15 Black to lean on its middles after well-placed digs. Endurance was also tested at NIT, and Bruck was keen to stay involved in marathon rallies. The Blair High School freshman is finding her groove among a deep cast of Premier Nebraska 2029s.</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-699507127779f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pfannenstiel has arguably been 15 Black's "glue player" after early 2026 action. She brings the setter-opposite versatility that reminds us of so many other game-changing athletes who have come through Premier Nebraska's gym. Pfannenstiel is a tall, imposing athlete, but she has the foot speed to track down errant passes. She can set around the dial, but 15 Black also can't pass up Pfannenstiel's wicked arm swing as a frontcourt attacker. A wealth of high-level experience at Triple Crown has primed Pfannenstiel for the upcoming qualifier grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933038"],"_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-699507127781d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norris outside hitters continue to deliver for [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']. Wiles anchored a balanced effort for 15 Elite last weekend, delivering out-of-system gems when the team needed it most. And, like most VCN left-side attackers, Wiles will not shy away from her serve-receive duties and defensive responsibilities. She effectively goes pass-to-attack from the front row and has raised the standard along the end line. We're eager to see Wiles' battled-tested team take on a grueling mid-season slate.</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-699507127789d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vejraska has left no doubt about her ability to lead and make everyone around her better. Her command is even more impressive when you consider that she's playing up a year with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. The Norris freshman has a knack for operating while off the net, making two-point passes look like in-system opportunities. 16 Elite's hot start at NIT was reminiscent of this group's steady improvement throughout the 2025 season. Last year's 15 Elite crew climbed the divisional ladder and can go even further with Vejraska at the reins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790090"],"_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-6995071277919"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029 setters in the 16s age group have become trendy in the Great Plains Region. Christiansen remains a focal point with Premier Nebraska 16 Gold, which battled to the challenge round alongside [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Elite. The Elkhorn North freshman executes a quick offense from the back row and has capitalized on any opportunity to expand her frontcourt repertoire. Lineup versatility has always been a storyline for 16 Gold, and Christiansen's presence opens everything up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815053"],"_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-69950712779c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We alluded to Premier Nebraska's 15s double dip, and 15 Gold set the standard as a power pool participant. The team soared to a 5-0 start at NIT, and Labedz was a surprise star during the hot streak. We were initially exposed to Labedz's power on the right side when she appeared on last year's Prep Dig Circuit. However, the Millard North freshman anchors the middle for 15 Gold and provides match-altering power at the net. Her tireless effort showed as Premier Nebraska slugged through several marathon matches during the first two days of Triple Crown action. Middle blockers can never take a play off, and Labedz brought no shortage of energy and grit to Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->