2022 Club Season Spotlight: VCNebraska 17 Elite

<p>Time for the next age group of VCNebraska talent. We’ve already looked at the 18s, so be sure to check out our previews of 18 Elite and 18 Black.</p> <p>My enthusiasm for VCN persists with their 17s teams. This feature will look at 17 Elite, a team with an impressive geographical footprint and a wide assortment of players that know how to excel at the prep level. It’s reasonable to expect some big moments from 17 Elite this year, and VCN is in prime position to pick up some accolades. I’m anxious to see it unfold.</p> <p>Let’s discuss some of the key players on 17 Elite that will look to deliver some trophies.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Southwest Connection</strong></p> <p>Familiarity and chemistry might be a strength for this team. There’s a lot of high school teammates that are joining forces on 17 Elite.</p> <p>Lincoln Southwest’s representation here is particularly notable. The Silver Hawks feed a lot of talent into the VCN program, and 17 Elite really demonstrates this. [player_tooltip player_id="59196" first="Brinly" last="Christensen"] is an exciting outside hitter from LSW who can also make some standout plays in the backcourt. Speaking of that backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id="124953" first="Teagan" last="Little"] also joins this squad after making some big strides with Southwest this fall. Don’t forget about the setter spot, either, as [player_tooltip player_id="104989" first="Malayah" last="Long"] is a physical, aggressive distributor who represents the bright future for both LSW and VCNebraska.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Around the Map</strong></p> <p>Sure, we just featured a trio of athletes from the same high school. Even still, the rest of this roster has some great representation from several different corners of the Nebraska map.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="59207" first="Carly" last="Purdy"] will make the journey from North Platte once again and will remain a reliable attacker for VCN. Her willingness to contribute in a variety of ways makes her a very exciting prospect.</p> <p>Down near the southern border of Nebraska is Fairbury, and that’s where you’ll find <strong>Emily Huss</strong> playing her high school ball. The six-foot-five middle blocker is competing for 17 Elite this winter and is poised to be one of our biggest stock risers in the 2023 class.</p> <p>This team is even getting some help from Omaha. [player_tooltip player_id="109597" first="Paisley" last="Douglas"] had a big year in her first season with Omaha Skutt, and her contributions to the libero spot were huge in helping the SkyHawks win seven straight. Playing up a year will not intimidate her.</p> [caption id="attachment_124168" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-124168 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Karli-Heidemann-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Heidemann[/caption] <p>Of course, Diller-Odell’s [player_tooltip player_id="59202" first="Karli" last="Heidemann"] is back with this group. This is a pin hitter who can undoubtedly take a ton of swings without slowing down.</p> <p>Then, we reach our Lincoln-area additions to 17 Elite. [player_tooltip player_id="123535" first="Lauryn" last="England"] is an incredible steady setter from a Malcolm program that knows how to build winners.</p> <p>And, while we’re talking about winners, [player_tooltip player_id="59212" first="Abby" last="Wachal"] will compete for 17 Elite after putting up a few ridiculous performances en route to a Class C1 championship with Lincoln Lutheran. She just keeps getting better.</p> <p>Sophia Weed is another player from the Lincoln Public Schools umbrella, as she hails from Lincoln East. Her length can be used to great effect on either the middle or right side, so expect her to shine in a wide range of situations.</p> <p>In all, 17 Elite ought to have the cohesion and the talent to bring another memorable season to VCNebraska.</p>