Which Nebraska Showcase Alums Soared at USAV Nationals?

<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/image1-3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1004675" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   -- USE CODE 'Austin26PD25OFF' FOR 25% OFF ALL SHOWCASE REGISTRATION FEES --   It's a perfect time to check in with some of our "alumni."   I've been fortunate enough to cover Prep Dig Showcase events for the past several years. It's a circuit that has grown in geographical reach and scale, reminding me of how fortunate I am to be in this role. That's especially true here in Nebraska, where the enthusiasm for volleyball vastly outpaces the state's population numbers.   That has yielded some spectacular Prep Dig Circuit outings lately, and we have another one on the way. July 25's Stock Up Showcase will add another chapter to the saga and introduce us to Nebraska's next wave of emerging athletes. There's still plenty of time to get on board, and I hope to see you there!   Of course, we can also look back at where the circuit has taken us so far. Many high-profile athletes landed on our radar through these showcases, and they've accomplished great things long after their event appearance. That includes some standouts on club volleyball's big stage.   So, we're drumming up showcase memories to find which past standouts are peaking at the right time--right now.    Meints brought power all the way to the podium. Nebraska Juniors 17 Black was clearly among the Great Plains Region's most successful GJNC contenders, earning a runner-up finish in the 17 Liberty division. Emergent 2027s like Meints anchored the effort. This high-flying attacker has been rocketing to prominence since she helped Norris secure another state title last fall. That tenure put her multi-position influence in the spotlight, but there's little doubt she's a go-to outside hitter in the Nebraska Juniors gym. She played around the dial in Indianapolis and proved her willingness to do anything you could ask of a left-side hitter. Another rankings rise is due.     Real logged no shortage of time in the national spotlight this spring. Her VCNebraska 17 Elite squad qualified in the Open division four times over, allowing the team to shuffle its lineup card against the nation's best. Real made the most of her trips across the front row, mixing in some assertive slide swings throughout the 2026 campaign. She combined this with a quick, explosive approach that made her an easy setting target in first-ball situations. The Waverly standout will seize that club momentum while chasing a Class B title with the Vikings this fall.     A lot has changed for Dostal since she arrived on the showcase scene as a Gretna freshman-to-be. That outing two years ago started her constant ascent to the top of Nebraska's 2028 hierarchy. Dostal led the Dragon offense as a freshman and capped her 15s club season with a 15 USA title. The Premier Nebraska star followed that up with more captivating moments on the Open stage, flourishing into an unstoppable six-rotation weapon. All of this culminates in a pledge to Mississippi State, where Dostal will be eager to sharpen her skills in the SEC gauntlet.     Athletes like Beran have made defensive drills a frequent coverage focal point of our showcases. It was hard to miss her impeccable first touches on the Prep Dig Circuit, and she brought the same influence to her first season with VCNebraska 16 Black. Her floor presence, particularly in the middle-back area, helped push 16 Black to its long-awaited bid at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Beran has also donned the libero jersey to provide even more highlight moments for her tab. Backcourt depth is leading the way in Lincoln.     Frink did a little of everything for Premier Nebraska 16 Black. The team rallied around her full array of six-rotation skills, especially during the climb to bid territory at the Show Me Qualifier. Her tireless defensive hustle made her a mainstay in Zone 6, and Frink also remained a quality scoring option on the pipe. Then, she would rotate into the front row and take over matches with her over-the-top swings. A trip to Indianapolis has cemented Frink's status as a rising junior to watch on the Omaha scene.     Last winter's Nebraska Exposure Tour showcase was loaded with stars from this year's Nebraska Elite 15 Apex crew. Tate was among those entrants and enjoyed an early start to her stock-rising journey. She dazzled us with her backcourt skills at that venue, building off a strong prep debut with Elkhorn South. 15 Apex's at-large Open berth to USAV Nationals extended a brilliant late-season run for this can't-miss libero, and we're eager for more in the Class A gauntlet.     O'Connell's first showcase appearance was about as good as it gets. She was named our Avoli Committed Athlete after last year's freshman-only event, skying over opposing blockers and exhibiting her readiness for Open competition. The scouting report has evolved since then, as O'Connell shifted over to the right side for Premier Nebraska 15 Gold. The Marian underclassman can get it done on either side of the setter and should have ample scoring opportunities on the prep circuit.