USAV 18s Girls Junior Nationals Preview: VCNebraska 18 Elite
DALLAS – For some of the top volleyball players in the state, this weekend will mark the final time they put on a club uniform to compete in one more tournament as the USAV Girls Junior National Championships for 18s…
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Continue ReadingDALLAS – For some of the top volleyball players in the state, this weekend will mark the final time they put on a club uniform to compete in one more tournament as the USAV Girls Junior National Championships for 18s gets underway tomorrow in Dallas.
A handful of years ago, USAV moved its national championships for 18s teams up to this time of the year to that it wouldn’t conflict with the summer when a large percentage of kids leave for college. At USAV Nationals, there are five different levels: Open, National, USA, American and Patriot.
VCNebraska 18 Elite will compete in the 18 National division and is listed as the #20 overall seed in the 48-team tournament. Here is a look at the VCNebraska 18 Elite team.
Kelsie Cada, Bishop Neumann
Cada has been one of the best full-rotation outside hitters in the state of Nebraska for the past four years and is a lethal weapon from anywhere on the court – including the service line. The Wayne State recruit has great elevation, power and an array of shots. She has the potential to be a Division II All-American.
Emma Gabel, Lincoln Pius X
Gabel, who will walk on at Nebraska in the fall, has been in the VCNebraska system for a long time and her presence in the back row helped propel the Thunderbolts to the Class A state final in the fall. She’s also been a staple of the top team in each age vision for VCNebraska for quite a while.
Delaney Humm, Lincoln Pius X
The Fort Hays State recruit was another big reason for the success of Lincoln Pius X the past couple seasons, as her ability to attack and pass has made to a valuable talent. She finished her career as a Thunderbolt with 645 kills and 841 digs.
Elly Larson, Wahoo
Larson is still just a little over a year removed from a bad knee injury and seems to be still be getting stronger with each passing month. While her explosiveness hasn’t seem to come all the way back just yet, her shot selection and array of styles has really improved and her best days are ahead of her at Wayne State.
Alexandra Lemke, Lincoln East
Lemke, a Drake recruit, has the ideal height for a setter and add in the fact that she is left-handed and it makes her a double-barreled weapon on the right side. She’s able to put up a good block and her ability to attack on the second ball as a lefty is something rarely seen in the state.
Jadyn Makovicka, Gretna
Makovicka really flourished during her senior season as the libero for Gretna, recording 484 digs this past fall and finishing her career with 980 for the Dragons. She teams with Gabel in the VCNebraska 18 Elite back-row to give the team one of the most steady defensive units in the state.
Kalynn Meyer, Superior
Although just a junior, the Nebraska commit Meyer has done exceptionally well playing up against the best seniors in the nation. Her development over the past two years has been phenomenal to watch and her ceiling is absolutely scary. She puts up a Division I block and her athleticism really shows when running the slide.
Alyssa Rezac, Bishop Neumann
Northwest Missouri State got itself an absolute steal and gem with the setter from Wahoo. Rezac possesses the athletic ability to run a 5-1 and might be the best in the state in terms of her ability to turn a tight pass into a perfect set. She’s also an underestimated offensive threat with her ability to dump.
Kyla Swanson, Wahoo
Swanson, an Illinois recruit, is listed as the top senior in the state and – in my opinion – we haven’t even seen a glimpse of what she is capable of becoming. She puts up a massive block and her footwork and lateral quickness has improved greatly with each passing season and she will only get more dominant as she gets stronger.
Delaney Whitaker, Lincoln Southeast
Whitaker, just a junior, is a versatile player that has provided depth along the way for VCNebraska as either an attacker or back-row player.