2024 Nebraska Bid Tracker: Premier 15 Black Reclaims NLQ Magic

Let's look back to last March.   2023's Premier Nebraska 15 Black team captured our attention with a fast start in Minneapolis. That wave of momentum yielded a Nationals bid and a runner-up finish in NLQ's 15 USA division. We were officially put on notice about the depth of Nebraska's Class of 2026.   Now, we're in 2024. Premier 15 Black is back at NLQ. It's an entirely new group of 15s and a different time of year, but the outcomes were nearly the same. Not only did 15 Black return to the NLQ podium, but the weekend ended in a division championship and that coveted golden ball. The Class of 2027 has arrived.   Our third and final NLQ addition to the 2024 Nebraska Bid Tracker brings Premier Nebraska 15 Black to the forefront.     A Wild Gauntlet   We always harp on the fact that 15s are unpredictable. Combine that with the move to January and you've got a recipe for chaos.   Premier 15 Black started as the #3 seed in its pool and would have to finish a spot better to advance. An opening three-set loss to top-seed Dallas Premier would immediately test 15 Black's resolve. The response came with two narrow victories over Invasion and Houston Skyline TW. A 2-1 record was enough to lock up second and push Premier to Round 2.   Three new teams entered 15 Black's crosshairs, but it would have to play from the bottom seed in Round 2. At this point, though, margins between teams become incredibly small. That was evidenced by the final results in Premier's second pool, as every team picked up at least one win and one loss.   A three-set win over HJV Premier immediately set the tone for 15 Black. Another win over WPVC effectively secured 15 Black's spot in the final Gold bracket. By the end of Saturday, the #3 and #4 seeds in Premier's Round 2 group had advanced. You never know what you're going to get.   Bring on the bracket. A classic battle between Premier Nebraska and MAVS 816 was first on the quarterfinal docket. With three bids available in 15 USA, the quarterfinal was a must-win. After that, a win in the semifinals or a third-place match would be enough.   15 Black did what was necessary in Sunday's opener. Premier rolled past its Kansas City rival to set up a date with Arete in the final four.   This would be an extraordinary test. Arete had only dropped one set in the entire weekend leading up to Sunday's meeting with Premier Nebraska. The Florida squad established early control with a 27-25 win in Set 1.   That's when the NLQ magic returned for 15 Black. An extraordinary comeback sent the match to a deciding third, and the drama escalated from there. Premier triumphed 15-13 in Set 3 to lock up the bid and a spot in the championship match.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1751697060724642027?s=20 </div></figure>   We had to wait late into the afternoon before the 15 USA championship bout, but it was worth it. Premier 15 Black finished the job with a two-set win over OK Charge to claim NLQ's gold ball--one position higher than last year's 15 Black group.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1751733690843996462?s=20 </div></figure>     Next in the Spotlight   Nebraska's Class of 2027 is already making moves.   Premier 15 Black made a concerted effort to run its offense through the left sides, and you could quickly see why. These outside hitters brought the heat. [player_tooltip player_id='503568' first='Makenna' last='Sanders'] announced her presence at the Midwest Power League before 15 Black's Minneapolis trip. She seemed to become even more dominant as the pressure ramped up at this national qualifier. Look out for Sanders in our early releases of the 2027 rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1751286725530263684?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='458362' first='Campbell' last='Capece'] followed suit on the other side of the starting lineup. This is 15 Black's six-rotation mainstay who brings lights-out passing and floor defense to the equation. Plug in Capece at the L2 spot and let her take over.   Throughout our previous bid tracker discussions, we've alluded to the variety of lineups these bid-earning teams can wield. Premier 15 Black has that versatility, too. [player_tooltip player_id='458129' first='Kenzie' last='Morris'] is another explosive athlete who can terminate from the left side and fill in for either of the aforementioned players. We were introduced to Morris' hard-hitting style when she competed with Millard West last fall. She hasn't missed a beat in 2024.   A 6-2 system is also in play, so we get to discuss a wide array of pin talent on the right side, too. [player_tooltip player_id='521161' first='Avery' last='Kelsay'] was an impactful figure at this position who used her quick arm to work balls into the crosscourt. 15 Black was not afraid to push some out-of-system sets to the right sides, and this is where Kelsay did some serious work.   Then, there's the do-everything setter-opposite. [player_tooltip player_id='774904' first='Tess' last='Solomon'] technically hasn't entered our jurisdiction yet as a member of the Class of 2028, but her impact on 15 Black's championship run is undeniable. She hit some impressive shots in the frontcourt and promptly became the team's setter along the end line. What a moment for a player who hasn't even reached the high school stage yet.   Right-side hitter Karoline Janssen joins Solomon in the 2028 club. This lefty clearly has the length and range to climb the age ladder with the 15s. She's getting a significant headstart.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1751647875170242978?s=20 </div></figure>   Solomon's setter counterpart in the 6-2 was Addison Cahow. I was consistently drawn to Cahow's ability to take out-of-system balls and turn them into killable sets for her left-side hitters. This is particularly important when outside termination is central to your team's identity. Cahow's crucial role cannot be overlooked.   Let's talk about these middles. [player_tooltip player_id='458128' first='Peyton' last='Langhorst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521094' first='Charlotte' last='Gregg'] locked down the net in Minneapolis. We watched 15 USA teams with frontcourt firepower that would have rivaled many entrants in 15 Open. Having imposing middles who can square up on these attackers is paramount, and this duo did it all weekend. Langhorst and Gregg produced everything from straight-down stuffs to positive block touches for transition opportunities.   Finally, the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='521156' first='Nevaeh' last='Jacobson'] has already cemented her star status at libero. She can dime passes from outside her midline and takes heavy passing burdens off her teammates. The 15 Black backcourt gets even stronger when [player_tooltip player_id='458188' first='Logan' last='Hickey'] joins the mix in the middle-back area. Mentions of these two will carry on throughout the 2024 season and beyond. What a start.     The Tracker     18 Open   Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (KC MLK)     18 USA   Premier Nebraska 18 Black (NLQ)     15 Open   Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution (NLQ)     15 USA   Premier Nebraska 15 Black (NLQ)

Let's look back to last March.