2022 Club Season Spotlight: Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix
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Back to the club spotlights! Last weekend’s second iteration of the Midwest Power League in Omaha provided another great opportunity to get a feel for more of Nebraska’s emerging talents. That includes the athletes of Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix, a…
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Last weekend’s second iteration of the Midwest Power League in Omaha provided another great opportunity to get a feel for more of Nebraska’s emerging talents. That includes the athletes of Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix, a team that showed some serious fire while largely playing against older squads. We’re going to keep ramping up our coverage of the 15s age group as the year progresses, and it only feels right to start with a team that just got a long look at the Power League.
Here’s Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix!
Some Serious Versatility
This is not necessarily a new thing in the Nebraska Elite gym, but 15 Matrix certainly has some players that wield a variety of skills every time they see the court.
Outside hitter Matthea Dalton is a great example. Not only can Dalton take some assertive swings in the frontcourt, but she is also a steady leader in middle-back defense. This multi-talented attacker takes care of a lot of the court defensively and is equally strong in serve receive.
15 Matrix also gets similar contributions from Elizabeth Layson Elizabeth Layson 6'0" | OH Omaha Duchesne | 2025 State NE , who also does her work on the left pin. She is not afraid to step in front of her other passers to take the first contact, and passing certainly does not disrupt Layson’s attacking rhythm.
Ashlyn Paymal Ashlyn Paymal 6'2" | RS Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE is another frontcourt talent to keep an eye on. She’s a natural opposite who is also comfortable hitting combination plays in front of the setter. Paymal’s range makes it incredibly difficult for opposing blockers to get touches on her hard-driven swings, and she can absolutely take over matches for 15 Matrix.
This discussion of versatile players also has to include 15 Matrix’s setters. I saw some really strong moments from Peyton Meyer Peyton Meyer 6'0" | S Westside | 2025 State NE , whose aggression and tempo fit in perfectly with this Nebraska Elite squad. She’s not afraid to take a whack at the second ball, either, which always keeps teams off balance. Meghan Anderson Meghan Anderson 5'11" | S Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE has also thrived in a starting setter role this year and was a crucial piece of 15 Matrix’s run at the Asics President’s Day Classic.
Block and Defense
Many Nebraska club teams are built on strong defense, so let’s focus on that phase as we introduce you to more players on this Nebraska Elite roster.
Let’s start in the middle. Kiera Link Kiera Link 6'1" | MB Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE is really finding her groove with 15 Matrix, and the team’s offense helps put her lateral quickness on full display. This Omaha Skutt product can hit a nice slide and is incredibly quick along the net and in transition. She is joined in the middle by Ava Stone Ava Stone 6'0" | MB Elkhorn South | 2025 State NE and Rilyn Gish Rilyn Gish 5'10" | MB Millard North | 2025 State NE , two big candidates for our next 2025 stock riser update. The middle blocker spot is stacked.
Kiya Johnson Kiya Johnson 6'1" | MB DC West | 2025 State NE is an outside hitter that can step in anywhere and make a big impact. On the defensive end, she puts up a sturdy block and is always bound to produce some serious energy for her team.
On to the backcourt. Isabel Junior Isabel Junior 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2025 State NE has had a spectacular season up to this point and will continue to improve as the year goes on. She often works in tandem with fellow defensive specialist Melody Mayer Melody Mayer 5'7" | DS/L Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE , who is also looking to have a breakout 2022. With this defensive support, Nebraska Elite 15 Matrix will be a group to watch well beyond this year.
Another talented 15/16 matchup between @Premier16_G and @NebraskaElite 15 Matrix.
Several 2024s and 2025s to follow this year and beyond. pic.twitter.com/VKVHfQMzKN
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 27, 2022