Small-Town Nebraska Club Spotlight: Lightning 17-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring this series to the Columbus crew.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been on quite a small-town swing lately. Recent features have covered South Central NE 16 Black and Kearney Elite 16-1, both competing at last Sunday's Nebraska Elite Classic. However, our Sunday slate featured multiple stops, and the Midwest Power League was next on the agenda. That's where we found our next small-town entry: Lightning 17-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prepare for a heavy dose of Columbus-area talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Aiming High</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday's event marked our second in-person encounter with Lightning 17-1 on the regional circuit. This team appeared at a previous iteration of the Midwest Power League and proved itself to be an early force in the 17s scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 campaign started in January as Lightning 17-1 picked up three impressive wins at the Premier Showcase. Positive momentum persisted as Lightning earned a 3-1 record at the Nebraska Elite Classic. And, as mentioned, this small-town group has challenged itself by entering the Open division in two weekends of the Midwest Power League. This rigorous schedule will prepare Lightning for the road ahead, which includes a high-stakes outing at the Great Plains Regional Championships to close out March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Columbus Cohesion</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive into this roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had the privilege of covering several of these athletes at various club and prep venues. The unique medley of ages and backgrounds makes this one of the most unique 17s teams we've covered in the Great Plains Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, only three of Lightning's eight players hail from the Class of 2026. These are names you'll recognize, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='486918' first='Rallie' last='Boyer'] glues this operation together at the left-side hitter spot. The former [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] standout has found a new home with Lightning and exhibits all the skills you'd want from an outside attacker. She elevates well, has a wide range of shots, and plays exceptional defense in the middle-back area. Successful teams often need a six-rotation anchor, and Boyer fills that niche.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":488093,"width":"296px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/444-Rallie-Boyer.jpg?w=961" alt="" class="wp-image-488093" style="width:296px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boyer</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have another VCN-to-Lightning standout from Columbus Lakeview High School. [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'] is a game-changing middle blocker who adds an outstanding spark to the Lightning frontcourt. She's the ideal 'M1' who can score even when opposing blockers are committed to slowing her down. Rowe is building off a strong junior showing with Lakeview and has maintained that form in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final Class of 2026 entry on the roster is [player_tooltip player_id='464913' first='Grace' last='Dawson']. The Columbus Lakeview standout sets the offense and plays around the dial as a do-everything signal-caller. This means Dawson is asked to square up as a frontcourt blocker and make big defensive plays in the right-back area. Lightning is helping Dawson develop some serious versatility as the team's unquestioned leader at the setter position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lightning is reinforced by two Class of 2027 standouts at key positions. [player_tooltip player_id='773366' first='Calli' last='Helms'] locks down the other left-side attacker spot and is the perfect complement to Boyer's all-around game. Columbus Lakeview knows all about Helms' future potential, as she contributed in big moments during the Vikings' 2024 fall campaign. This athlete is not daunted by playing up an age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='458152' first='Kenzie' last='Greisen'] is Lightning's lockdown libero from the 2027 group. This instinctive defender produced a colossal five digs per set with Columbus Lakeview last fall, setting the stage for her continued dominance on the club side. She dug some wicked heat during Sunday's event and is fully acquainted with the physicality of elite-level volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we introduce the trio of 2028s. Consider this the future of Columbus Lakeview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='737378' first='Jaelyn' last='Mejstrik'] already made her presence felt in the high school scene. The freshman middle blocker churned out over 200 kills last fall and terminated at a near-.300 clip. Sunday's Power League revealed the power and sky-high contact point that have made Mejstrik so unstoppable. She will keep reaching higher, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lightning leans on Lindley Stejskal at the team's starting opposite spot. She had the unenviable task of putting up blocks against the Power League's lethal hitters, but this 2028 prospect handled the task. Stejskal is also an eager attacker behind the setter and has mixed some off-speed shots into her arsenal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we have Lightning's do-it-all utility player from the freshman class. We've seen Adalyn Eberhart in so many roles this year. She can hit in the front row, sub as a DS, or don the libero jersey if needed. Eberhart's adaptability unlocks a new layer of depth and creativity that could elevate Lightning's game when it's needed most. The stakes keep rising from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->