TC NIT Preview: Nebraska Teams Battling Outside Power Pools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can call these teams underdogs, but Nebraska squads have thrived in this position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every team at Triple Crown NIT can start in power pools. Anyone starting outside these exclusive groups has to scrap their way to the Elite bracket. Every match matters as soon as the first whistle blows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Great Plains Region is bringing several worthy “outsiders” to the fray, so don't invest all your time in the power pools. Upset bids could be looming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">18U</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 18 Gold</strong> and <strong>Premier Nebraska 18 Black</strong> are joining forces at NIT. It's a major proving ground for these steely veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Gold is loaded with championship talent and has excelled in past trips to Kansas City. Papio South state champion [player_tooltip player_id='155053' first='Charlee' last='Solomon'] leads the way with her wicked combination of right-side attacking and smooth setting. We'll look for other multi-position stars like [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155044' first='Elle' last='Heckenlively'] to take over in the frontcourt. D1-bound liberos [player_tooltip player_id='155037' first='Sierra' last='Pokharel'] (South Dakota) and [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] (Lipscomb) anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depth will be on full display as 18 Black takes the court alongside their 18 Gold counterparts. [player_tooltip player_id='213981' first='Lindsey' last='Hrbek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] have formed a wicked middle duo for 18 Black. Iowa prep stars like Hutson Rau and Audrey Sandbothe also loom large.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17U</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have high hopes for this pair of 17s contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite</strong> has a lot to prove in Kansas City. The team has already gained valuable Open-level experience at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis. That experience is especially important given 17 Elite's wealth of new additions to the roster. [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'] is a high-impact newcomer at the left-side hitter spot, and [player_tooltip player_id='349456' first='Carlie' last='Talbott'] has added a spark on the right. [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb'], [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'] are also making big debuts with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier is going two-deep once again with <strong>Premier Nebraska 17 Black </strong>entering the NIT spotlight. Ball control will be a strength for this group with [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] solidifying her grip on the libero position. [player_tooltip player_id='276191' first='Elena' last='Estudillo'] joins the backcourt, too. [player_tooltip player_id='349413' first='Maggie' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349407' first='Sarah' last='Faust'] are perfect fits to set the 6-2 offense, giving 17 Black effective three-hitter rotations across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Early morning check-in with <a href="https://twitter.com/[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']</a> 17 Elite.<br><br>This squad has plenty of new contributors to watch, including Omaha Westside pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb']. <a href="https://t.co/4qZ6QyMRLM">pic.twitter.com/4qZ6QyMRLM</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1885328003531464939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16U</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, the intrigue in this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the first colossal pressure test for the new Synergy group. <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy</strong> was right on the cusp of a power pool but will instead fight through the opening-round crucible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontcourt firepower will set the tone for this squad. [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'] is a high-flying pin hitter who will fit right into the national spotlight. 16 Synergy also has enviable length in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='458060' first='Reagan' last='Meyers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='555495' first='Shayla' last='Rautenberg'] along the net. 2027 setter [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'] is the lone holdover from the past "generation" of Synergy squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, <strong>Premier Nebraska 16 Black</strong> will look to forge its path as 16 Gold competes in power pools. 16 Black's past qualifier success will prepare it for whatever challenges emerge in the opening round. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='503568' first='Makenna' last='Sanders'] was a state title-winning starter as a sophomore. She is accompanied by an elite ball-control unit that includes [player_tooltip player_id='521156' first='Nevaeh' last='Jacobson'], [player_tooltip player_id='505788' first='Addison' last='Cahow'], and [player_tooltip player_id='774904' first='Tess' last='Solomon'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A couple of elite 16s contenders going at it. This court is packed.<a href="https://twitter.com/NeONE16Synergy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NeONE16Synergy</a> continues to show its top-tier form with [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'] terminating on set point. <a href="https://t.co/xEF9Y3KGwn">pic.twitter.com/xEF9Y3KGwn</a></p>&mdash; Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1888609186164232686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">15U</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VCN-Premier duo is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 15 Elite</strong> should be a fascinating underdog to follow. Small-town stars like [player_tooltip player_id='593775' first='Ava' last='Janulewicz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='568816' first='Kyler' last='Cada'] are key scoring threats along the net. We'll also watch for the next wave of outstanding liberos in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] pipeline. Makinley Ramsey and [player_tooltip player_id='774597' first='Reese' last='Pedersen'] are good candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Nebraska 15 Black </strong>will feature several athletes ready to join our next Nebraska Class of 2028 watch list. [player_tooltip player_id='575218' first='Avery' last='Whaley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774642' first='Campbell' last='Hoeft'] are exemplary defenders in this group, and they also help 15 Black's net talent flourish. This is an impressively physical 15s roster with [player_tooltip player_id='774646' first='Bella' last='Mueller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774638' first='Grace' last='Rued'] locking down the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->