Premier Nebraska 15 Gold Shines in Runner-Up Finish at TC NIT
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Triple Crown NIT consistently attracts the best club teams in the nation across almost every age group. This year was no different. The 15s division is usually a good place to get a glimpse into the future stars of the…
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Continue ReadingTriple Crown NIT consistently attracts the best club teams in the nation across almost every age group. This year was no different.
The 15s division is usually a good place to get a glimpse into the future stars of the national prep volleyball scene. In a division stacked with rising talent from around the country, Premier Nebraska 15 Gold proved to be a group to watch for the next few years.
Speaking of future stars, this team has plenty of them.
Left-Side Lauren Tandem
Two Laurens make up the outside attack for this Premier team, and each was incredibly important to the squad’s enormous success over the weekend. Lauren Jones Lauren Jones 5'9" | OH Millard West | 2024 State NE has carried a lot of positive momentum into this club season after making her high school debut on a talented Millard West group. Premier develops plenty of solid six-rotation outside hitters, and Jones is looking to be the next in line. With strong middle back defense and a terminal swing in the front row, Jones’ brought plenty of value to the floor in every rotation.
The steady hammer on this team, meanwhile, was Lauren Medeck Lauren Medeck 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State #31 Nation NE . Medeck has been fairly busy for the past several weeks, to say the least. In an incredible last-minute development, the 2024 outside hitter was thrust into a starting role on Premier’s 18s team this April due to a variety of injuries and absences. Playing up three age groups on an unfamiliar team is a challenge in itself, but now consider the stage where Medeck would have to prove herself: nationals.
After a storied run to gold in the 18s division, Medeck returned to her roots with 15 Gold in spectacular fashion. She was a go-to attacker throughout the weekend and, like her Lauren counterpart, contributes plenty of good defense in the back row.
Front Row Attackers Aplenty
Surely, a team doesn’t reach the finals at Triple Crown through its left sides alone. Premier has balance.
Josie Cleveringa Josie Cleveringa 5'10" | OH North Bend Central | 2024 State NE is another hitter who had a standout performance in Kansas City. She brings a quick arm and big block to the right pin. It’s a wicked compliment to the aforementioned pair on the left.
Equally effective on offense is the pair of middles. Mia Tvrdy Mia Tvrdy 6'0" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #35 Nation NE brings the kind of efficiency off one foot that is rare in 15s competition. Her work behind the setter will garner her plenty of attention moving forward. Morgan Bode, too, provides the length and physicality to be a persistent anchor in the Premier block.
Ball Control
Consistent setting and passing allows everyone on the team to flourish. It’s an everlasting truth in volleyball.
I continue to be impressed with the work of Faith Frame Faith Frame 5'6" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #167 Nation NE at the defensive specialist position. Her ability to react quickly and produce positive touches can change the direction of any given point. And, of course, once we turn the page toward the Class of 2025, libero Sierra Pokharel will be a name to know.
Reagan Hickey Reagan Hickey 5'8" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State NE will always be worthy of mention at setter. After taking the starting setter role at Papillion-La Vista as a freshman, I’m convinced that the Triple Crown stage was not too big for her. Hickey’s skills back that up, too.
Congratulations on a fantastic performance this weekend!
Plenty more championship matches in this group’s future. https://t.co/vWC1w2uUqg
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) May 31, 2021
This will clearly not be the last we hear of this group — both this year, and for many club seasons to come.