Nebraska Preview for Northern Lights Qualifier #1: The 18s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let the qualifier grind begin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneapolis' Northern Lights Qualifier is the first annual test for many of Nebraska's top club competitors. The three-part event begins this weekend with the 18s and 17s vying for bids. I'll be there to help cover the action, and I can't wait to get the travel season started. It's finally here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first preview delves into the 18s. Some of these squads have already competed at Kansas City's MLK tournament midway through January, while others are taking on their first qualifier of the year. In any case, the 18s will deliver plenty of storylines across the Great Plains Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's feature introduces a few of those storylines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">18 Open</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're starting in 18 Open, where a pair of Great Plains challengers join a field of 18 teams competing for three bids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortunately, there's no pressure for <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 18 Elite</strong>. This stacked squad already earned an 18 Open bid through its second-place finish in Kansas City. Still, we're eager to see how 18 Elite wields its vast collection of talent to form seemingly infinite lineup possibilities. VCN boasts several impactful new additions, including D1-bound attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='189320' first='Natalie' last='Wardlow'] (Wisconsin) and [player_tooltip player_id='173527' first='Abbie' last='Hagedorn'] (Sacred Heart). The team also has a core group of VCN veterans with [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269932' first='Gretchen' last='Seagren'] leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we'll hone in on <strong>Nebraska Elite 18 Moana</strong> in the bid-seeker category. We've already seen plenty from this seasoned group in early-season regional events, so 18 Moana will be ready to apply those reps to the national stage. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173523' first='Elizabeth' last='Layson'] is a go-to attacker for this group and remains an emotional leader in the frontcourt. Meanwhile, Elkhorn South standout [player_tooltip player_id='189370' first='Julia' last='Ringenberg'] has commanded the setting duties while working in tandem with defensive specialists like [player_tooltip player_id='173519' first='Isabel' last='Junior'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155038' first='Melody' last='Mayer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Moana's pool journey starts with some regional flair as MAVS KC and Kairos await in the opening round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">18 USA</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 18 Black is holding down the Great Plains fort in 18 USA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got a glimpse of this squad right away through the season-opening Nebraska Elite Classic. The team then went to work in Kansas City, logging valuable qualifier reps for the road ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Black has more continuity than you might expect from an 18s squad. [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'] returns to dish out a fast-paced offense with several returning attackers. [player_tooltip player_id='342612' first='Sierra' last='Crist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342615' first='Shelby' last='Harding'] have become six-rotation mainstays on the left side. They're accompanied by physical middle blockers like [player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342578' first='Rilyn' last='Otto']. Seward standout [player_tooltip player_id='269961' first='Abby' last='Covalt'] takes care of the defensive duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two 18 USA bids are available in Minneapolis, and [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] is looking to make an early statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A deuce marathon win for <a href="https://twitter.com/We_are_NEONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@We_are_NEONE</a> 18 Black with [player_tooltip player_id='342612' first='Sierra' last='Crist'] sealing the match with an ace.<br><br>Impressive early showing for this veteran group. <a href="https://t.co/7Endci1fyN">pic.twitter.com/7Endci1fyN</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1878455135761813800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">18 Liberty</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneapolis will give us a good look at <strong>Banzai VBC 18 Select</strong> as it competes in the 18 Liberty division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group features plenty of recognizable names that have left an indelible mark on the Nebraska prep scene. [player_tooltip player_id='155055' first='Lilly' last='Pillay']'s frontcourt range has been something to behold, as she can succeed as a middle blocker or an outside hitter. We're also eager to see which position(s) we see from Platteview star and Midland commit [player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball control should be a strength for this group, too. [player_tooltip player_id='342620' first='Maggie' last='Williams'] just wrapped up a stat-stuffing prep career as Gretna East's libero. Look for Jordyn HIll to run at least a share of the offense at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">18 American</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can always count on seeing Club Legacy in Minneapolis, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Legacy 18 Alpha will be hunting for the single coveted bid in the 18 American division. Our immediate focus for this 18 Alpha roster is in the backcourt, where [player_tooltip player_id='213983' first='Bryleigh' last='Hofer'], [player_tooltip player_id='253929' first='Maya' last='Porter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='253921' first='Izabella' last='Vlasek'] should help Club Legacy in some marathon rallies. This should allow [player_tooltip player_id='173518' first='Rilyn' last='Gish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='395159' first='Madison' last='Beermann'] to have plenty of opportunities to terminate at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The journey begins with tough opening-round matchups against Dynasty, TAV Houston, and FC Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->