Which Nebraska Teams Gained February Momentum? (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February may be a shorter month, but it's loaded with high-impact days on the club calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're suddenly in the business end of the 2026 club season. Several key qualifiers are approaching, especially for the Midwest's top teams and regions. The Great Plains Region enjoyed quite a February barnstorming campaign, from the friendly confines of the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic to national venues like NLQ and Triple Crown NIT. There's no better time to dial in some team chemistry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, before we embark on the next wave of event coverage, let's step back and look at the month that was. Momentum is escalating for these Nebraska crews after an exceptional 28 days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an obvious one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've documented [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite's rise to the top of Nebraska's early 17s hierarchy. The Lincoln crew established this honor through a Open bid-earning triumph at the Northern Lights Qualifier, followed by a podium finish at Triple Crown NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, what's next for this group? 17 Elite's postseason plans might be locked up, but there's a lot of room for additional growth and high-level reps. The Show Me Qualifier is a prime example. We also have several recruitable 2028s to follow from 17 Elite, including [player_tooltip player_id='573382' first='Haleigh' last='Bauer'], [player_tooltip player_id='575237' first='Madison' last='Zajicek'], and [player_tooltip player_id='737370' first='Averi' last='Bridges']. This lineup will still draw plenty of eyes--including ours.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2023418024355889177?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2023418024355889177?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Elite 17-1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll be revisiting the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic frequently in this feature series. Let's give a nod to one of the division champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Elite top 17s team survived a gauntlet of regional foes to defend home territory over the holiday weekend. That Open championship was the prelude to further success at our Prep Dig Iowa Clash, so 17-1 is still fresh on our minds after a visit to Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physicality has flourished. [player_tooltip player_id='521226' first='Callie' last='Petersen'], [player_tooltip player_id='521222' first='Ella' last='Hatz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='458184' first='Myla' last='Deats'] have expandeded their terminal roles for Nebraska Elite while contributing to the team's stonewall blocking in the frontcourt. Omaha Westside standout [player_tooltip player_id='458183' first='Kherington' last='Snider'] has dialed up the right combinations throughout 2026, elevating her stock among the state's leading setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025249146559472028?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025249146559472028?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Club Legacy 16 Bravo</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Legacy's 16s depth has our attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We shouldn't be surprised to see some early strength from the Omaha-area club, particularly in this age group. Last year's 15 Alpha crew secured its GJNC berth through a Show Me Qualifier championship. For this feature, however, we're giving a nod to the Bravo team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Bravo climbed to a podium finish in the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic's 16 Club division, giving us a new cast of 2028s to watch. Familiar names like [player_tooltip player_id='575233' first='Kinley' last='Hartle'], [player_tooltip player_id='774688' first='Ta'Riah' last='Hansborough'], and [player_tooltip player_id='773440' first='Claire' last='Hinrichs'] have also risen to prominence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect a few more 2028 watch list entries from this Club Legacy lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We tabbed this [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] lineup as an ASICS Presidents' Day Classic contender, and 16 Navy delivered on the hype.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tight-knit group opened its Omaha slate with a five-match winning streak and secured a top-five finish in the 16 Club division. We were eager to see how players like [player_tooltip player_id='562301' first='Darriana' last='Damper'] would mesh with returning assets in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='753332' first='Taylor' last='Tresemer'], [player_tooltip player_id='774675' first='Ariana' last='Rhode'], and Adelola Adeshina have provided all the firepower we'd expect from a stacked [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More regional success awaits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Premier Nebraska 15 Gold</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far, so good for the Class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We still have a long journey ahead with the 2029s, and plenty of huge venues loom on the 15s circuit. Still, we have a healthy sample size of contests to prove Premier Nebraska 15 Gold's prowess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was fortunate enough to highlight 15 Gold's 3-0 start in Triple Crown NIT power pools. The club season presents plenty of spotlight opportunities, but few match up to NIT's magnitude. Premier Nebraska rose to the occasion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February's slate treated us to the rise of new featured attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='918755' first='Kenli' last='Donner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='775763' first='Fallyn' last='O'Connell']. This opposite duo exhibited their full six-rotation range at NIT, expanding 15 Gold's infinite array of lineup options. On the other side of the dial, [player_tooltip player_id='847923' first='Andie' last='Blomenkamp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='846878' first='Maci' last='Falcone'] have both amassed eye-popping highlight tapes at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The possibilities are endless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->