Nebraska ONE has not been afraid to pull its top 17s defenders from the Class of 2028. Paneitz has been a multi-year contributor for Nebraska ONE 17 Black and will now add another GJNC appearance to her resume. The Lincoln North Star sophomore began her ascent last fall with an outstanding defensive campaign for the top-seeded Navigators. Paneitz has followed that up with a backcourt performance that lifted 17 Black to a Nationals berth via NEQ. Even in the far-out confines of Philly, Paneitz is finding the spotlight.

Paneitz has reunited with many of her Lincoln North Star teammates to keep the wins rolling in with Nebraska ONE 17 Black. The sophomore libero can shoulder various roles with 17 Black, from a defensive substitute to a full-fledged leader in the contrasting jersey. Paneitz can slot into any zone along the backcourt and deliver the pinpoint passing needed to operate 17 Black’s quick offense. Last weekend’s NLQ trip was another successful stop in 17 Black’s busy early-season schedule.

Paneitz’s rankings debut was probably overdue, but her sophomore season certainly sealed the deal. She donned Lincoln North Star’s libero jersey in 2025 and helped the Navigators notch their best season in school history. Paneitz was a defensive warrior for Class A’s top seed and averaged 3.4 digs per set against hard-hitting offenses. She also commanded the passing pattern and delivered the dimes needed for LNS to operate its up-tempo offense. This exceptional campaign has generated momentum for Paneitz’s next tenure in the Nebraska ONE gym.

Lincoln North Star has officially joined Class A’s elite. It’s easy to focus solely on the stacked cast of Navigator attackers, but don’t forget about Paneitz’s indispensable contributions along the end line. She commands the serve-receive pattern for North Star, putting consistent, predictable balls on top of the setter’s head. Paneitz can also translate that precision to her transition digs and keep the Navigator offense flowing in long rallies. This group has proven that 2024’s tournament breakthrough was no fluke.

Paneitz was identified as a player to watch heading into the LPS Classic, and this sophomore delivered on the hype en route to Lincoln North Star’s championship match appearance at the event. The Navigators already provide plenty of fireworks along the net, but Paneitz does the dirty work in the back row to let these stars flourish. She has seen some of the nation’s toughest servers while competing with Nebraska ONE on the club side, particularly during 16 Black’s run to GJNC in Dallas. This has prepped Paneitz for the rigors of Class A volleyball, and Lincoln North Star is cashing in this fall. A tournament appearance has become the expectation.

Lincoln North Star’s balanced, electric offense garners a lot of attention, but we have to credit the defensive specialists setting up that success. Paneitz has enjoyed an outstanding start with the Navigators while competing with many of her Nebraska ONE teammates. The sophomore libero makes quick reads in the libero spot and has a knack for picking up tips in the “campfire.” These instincts have yielded over three digs per set so far, and Paneitz has the tools needed to climb even higher.

We have even more defensive talent lurking on the Nebraska ONE 16 Black roster. Paneitz is a vital part of Nebraska ONE 16 Black’s DS rotation and can anchor any zone in any rotation. This was especially apparent at the Show Me Qualifier, where 16 Black platooned its backcourt positions to defend against a hard-hitting 16 USA division. Paneitz handled plenty of heat at that event and meshed well with her fellow passers. Her next stop is Lincoln North Star as the Navigators build momentum following a state tournament appearance.