Nebraska 2025 Liberos on the Rise after Northern Lights Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back-to-back days for the liberos? Let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we showcased a few <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/02/which-2027-liberos-made-big-first-impressions-at-nlq/">Class of 2027 liberos</a> who made big first impressions in Minneapolis last weekend. Amid our flurry of NLQ coverage, we are reminded that the Class of 2025 is still growing and evolving at the 17s level. Plenty of Nebraska's top 2025 prospects remain uncommitted, and this year's Northern Lights Qualifier was the start of a crucial club season for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only fair that we give those 2025s their due credit. Here are a few standout defenders who made early statements at NLQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["494893"],"_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_0_evaluation":"These past few months have been great for Abel. She was a key cog in Lincoln Pius X's 2023 backcourt as the Thunderbolts returned to the Class A tournament. Abel now brings a similar impact to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Black, which was in Gold contention until the very end at NLQ. This emerging defender showed impenetrable defense down the line and was an unquestioned leader throughout VCN's Minneapolis trip.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["189328"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"We're already sold on Borer's high-end potential with her new club team. The Norris prep star moved to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite this year and is already the defensive anchor in the libero jersey. Last fall's high school season gave us a full glimpse of Borer's steady platform as she led the Titans to another Class B title appearance. A change of venue in 2024 has not halted Borer's momentum. VCN 17 Elite has serious breakthrough potential at the Open level, and backcourt defense will be vital toward reaching that ceiling.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["497282"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"An important caveat: Case has made her name as a frontcourt attacker alongside her stints as a primary DS. This feature will hone in on Case's back-row skills, and she shined in this role at NLQ. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black's defensive unit gets a huge boost whenever Case is along the end line, primarily in the middle-back area. And, with Case's attacking background, you always have to be ready for her to get a few swings on the pipe. These multi-faceted subs are always fascinating to watch. We're ready to see where Case makes her mark at the next qualifier.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["189326"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Gable is in line for an expanded role with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Synergy this year. She has been a do-everything player for this team over the past couple of yearsu002du002dincluding a fill-in stint as a frontcourt opposite. We expect Gable to be a crucial defensive sub throughout 2024 as Synergy hunts its Open bid at future qualifiers. No matter what position she plays in any given match, Gable will help maintain Synergy's familiar strength in the ball control phase.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["342558"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"2023 was a breakout year for McCarthy, who soared up our Class of 2025 radar after a strong club season with Nebraska Elite. NLQ was a perfect refresher on this defensive stock riser. McCarthy does a lot more than just control first contacts for Nebraska Elite 17-3. She's also a brilliant secondary setter whenever the team is out of system, allowing 17-3's attackers to terminate in scramble situations. A great outing in Minneapolis should prime McCarthy and 17-3 for another surge on the national stage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["155038"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Mayer is poised for a huge step forward with Nebraska Elite 17-2. She has already established herself as a household name on the prep side with Omaha Marian, especially after climbing near the top of Class A's digs leaderboard in 2023. Now, it's time to take the reins on the club side. Mayer piloted 17-2's defense during the team's Gold bracket run in Minneapolis. Any opposing roll shots were funneled right to Mayer, who handled finesse plays with ease. Tally another high-level performance for this lockdown libero.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["173519"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Welcome back, Top Gun. Nebraska Elite's top 17s group has seen some changes over the years, but Junior is a vital constant in the back row. She has flourished against some of the country's best attackers on the Open stage and brought Nebraska Elite back into the Gold fight in Minneapolis. Junior remains one of Nebraska's best uncommitted 2025s.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["214507"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Hernandez is technically an Iowa prep athlete, but let's bend the rules a bit for this Premier Nebraska standout. Past seasons have allowed Hernandez to put her outside attacking skills on display, but NLQ reminded us of Hernandez's potential as a defensive specialist, too. She forms a cohesive bond with her fellow defenders and is quick to close any open seams on either side of Zone 6. Premier 17 Black's evolution will be a compelling storyline in 2024, and Hernandez is squarely in that conversation.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bfae6fa572c"} /-->