2022 Club Season Spotlight: Premier 18 Gold
It’s time to turn our focus toward the club season. Let’s go! We’ve got plenty of stacked rosters and talented players to cover this winter and spring. That’s not a surprise, right? This is the perfect time of year to…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s time to turn our focus toward the club season. Let’s go!
We’ve got plenty of stacked rosters and talented players to cover this winter and spring. That’s not a surprise, right? This is the perfect time of year to get you primed on all the new teams and roster shuffles heading into the new season.
Also, don’t hesitate to tell us about any club changes heading into the new year! Check out this link and consider filling out the quick form if this applies to you. With a rankings update coming very soon, we’ll be looking to make all club information current. All help is appreciated, and we always love to hear the latest on what clubs are up to.
Now, let’s start this big spotlight series. Premier 18 Gold, you’re up!
High School Teammates
This 18 Gold group is loaded with players that compete together on the high school side.
How about the Millard West representation? There’s a lot to cover here. The Class A runner-up Wildcats are pitching in with three players that should all make major contributions to 18 Gold.
Morningside commit Kylah Brewer made some major strides this year at the middle blocker spot and figures to keep progressing in her final club campaign. She is joined by Millard West teammates Maddie MacTaggart Maddie MacTaggart 5'10" | OH Millard South | 2022 State NE and Ella Hazen Ella Hazen 5'8" | DS/L Millard West | 2022 State NE , who will each have big roles after standout high school seasons.
There are Bellevue West connections on this team, too. Kealy Kiviniemi Kealy Kiviniemi 5'11" | RS Bellevue West | 2022 State NE and Liv Reitsma Liv Reitsma 5'7" | S Bellevue West | 2022 State NE are reunited following a good showing with the Thunderbirds this year. They’ll surely play like they have something to prove before their prep careers are over.
Superior Ball Control and Defense
When I look at this whole roster, my first impression is how great the ball control and defense can be.
We’ve already mentioned Hazen, who has always been an incredibly strong backcourt defender, and she pairs so well with Estella Zatechka Estella Zatechka 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #54 Nation NE along the end line. These two are impenetrable when they’re in a groove.
You can also expect a lot of defensive production and serve receive prowess from this group’s pin hitters. Shaylee Myers Shaylee Myers 6'0" | OH Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State #199 Nation NE has always brought rock-solid six-rotation skills to Lincoln Southwest and Premier, and that’s not going to change this year. The same can be said of Skylar McCune Skylar McCune 5'9" | DS/L Gretna | 2022 State #53 Nation NE , who will take her all-around game to Creighton next fall.
Let’s take a moment to recognize the middles that will put in a lot of work for this team’s defense, too. Emma O’Neill Emma O’Neill 6'0" | MB Papillion-LaVista South | 2022 State NE and Brynlee Arnold have been crucial anchors in the Premier block for a long time, and now they have a chance to showcase their dominance on the 18s stage.
Lastly, we have to take a look at the setters who will help bring all that ball control together. Reitsma was mentioned in the previous segment, and Sydney Conner Sydney Conner 5'10" | S Kearney Catholic | 2022 State NE will also help carry the offense this year. It’s a big opportunity for both of these athletes to achieve club glory before their prep careers are done.