Welcome to the Open stage. We have fond memories of last year’s South Central NE 15 Black group. The small-town crew enjoyed a wildly successful 2025 campaign, which included a podium finish at GJNC. One year later, 16 Black is stepping up to the Open field at NLQ. It’s a huge milestone for players like Staehr, who have proved themselves against the Great Plains Region’s best. Staehr will be a valuable leader on the outside in Minneapolis and brings first-contact prowess to the back row, too. Aurora High School’s stars are ready for the national spotlight.

Staehr was a can’t-miss performer during her last showcase visit, but that outing was just the start of her ascent. She climbed to club volleyball’s biggest spotlight with South Central NE 15 Black and made a podium push at GJNC. So, it’s not surprising to see Staehr dominating during her early 2025 reps with Aurora High School. This dynamic outside hitter has already compiled 143 kills to soar past her extraordinary freshman averages. The Huskies have capitalized en route to a 7-4 start while playing a daunting early-season schedule. Staehr is built for these challenges and has helped rocket Aurora back to prominence.

Staehr was a star at last year’s Freshman Showcase, but her spring stint with South Central NE 15 Black took this excellence to the next level. This Aurora outside hitter paced the 15 Black offense during the team’s bid-clinching triumph in Kansas City. The intensity persisted at GJNC as Staehr and her small-town crew defied the odds once again. A runner-up finish in front of a national audience is the perfect setup for a colossal sophomore surge.

Aurora is another school that has leveraged its underclassmen particularly well in recent years. Staehr’s terminal arm revolutionized the Huskies’ lineup, giving the team over three kills per set throughout 2024. We’ve also seen Staehr’s willingness to be a ball-control asset, both with Aurora and at our past Prep Dig Showcase events. Her tenure with South Central NE has only raised her stock further.

Aurora gets another one. Staehr was the subject of a few features as we got a brief look at Nebraska’s 2028s at USAV Nationals. Her South Central NE squad wielded some impressive physicality at that event, and Staehr was the do-everything player who glued everything together. She has a wicked arm swing in the frontcourt but can also take control of her team’s defense along the end line. Staehr piled up over three kills per set with Aurora last fall and will likely be a leading scorer with South Central NE once again.

We’re keeping South Central NE in the spotlight for our next entry. Staehr is an effortless flyer on the left side who quickly announced her presence during hitting lines. She continued to raise the bar when she had players on the other side of the net, making her an outstanding asset in competitive drills. Aurora High School is gaining steam with young talent stepping up in the front court, and Staehr could be next up.