Nebraska Squads Already Making a Big Impact in 16 Open at AAUs
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The opening day of 16 Open competition is in the books at AAU Nationals, and we’ve got a couple of Nebraska teams in the running for a championship after successful starts. Orlando is always a fascinating venue to watch many…
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Continue ReadingThe opening day of 16 Open competition is in the books at AAU Nationals, and we’ve got a couple of Nebraska teams in the running for a championship after successful starts.
Orlando is always a fascinating venue to watch many of Nebraska’s teams grow and improve in a festive end-of-season environment. I’m keeping a close eye on AAUs from afar this year, and I’m coming out of 16 Open’s first day impressed with what the Cornhusker State is bringing.
So, here’s a quick look at some of those Day 1 observations from 16 Open at AAU Nationals.
Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi Scraps to Perfection
16 Lokahi’s 3-0 start in Orlando is a testament to the team’s resilience and willingness to face adversity.
That unblemished record certainly didn’t come easily for Nebraska Elite. After starting the tournament with a two-set win over EC Power, 16 Lokahi battled in back-to-back three-set matches to finish out the day. And, in both instances, it was the Nebraska squad that dropped the opening set before rallying to take a win in the tiebreaker. Triumphs over Summit and OVA cemented 16 Lokahi’s status as a team to watch heading into Day 2.
The depth of this Nebraska Elite team remains a big storyline in Orlando. Tatum Godinez Tatum Godinez 5'11" | RS Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE took on a vital frontcourt role during the team’s undefeated stretch and has also demonstrated her unwavering control in back-row defense. When Godinez is in a good rhythm, 16 Lokahi is at its best.
Emily Love Emily Love 5'11" | RS Omaha Duchesne | 2024 State NE also continues to see an expanding role within this offense at the middle blocker spot. This has also allowed Nora Wurtz Nora Wurtz 6'4" | MB DC West | 2024 State #109 Nation NE to have a steady place at opposite, giving 16 Lokahi a great scoring outlet in out-of-system situations. Of course, usual suspects like Carly Ries Carly Ries 6'3" | OH Norfolk | 2024 State NE and Alizabeth Jacobsen Alizabeth Jacobsen 6'3" | MB Underwood | 2024 State IA continue to thrive in a Nebraska Elite attack led by the stout setting of Molly Romano Molly Romano 5'10" | S Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln | 2024 State IA .
VCNebraska 16 Elite Stays in Group 1
Time to check back in with 16 Elite, a VCN team that is no stranger to success on these big stages.
By the end of Thursday’s action, VCN 16 Elite locked up a spot in the next round of top-pool play with a 2-1 record to begin the event. Wins over Princeton and Team Indiana immediately put the team in a good spot to advance, and a narrow defeat to Momentous should not dim the competitive fire we’ve seen in 16 Elite.
Similar to our discussion on Nebraska Elite, there are a lot of players peaking at the right time with VCN 16 Elite. Brynne Topolski Brynne Topolski 5'11" | RS Lincoln East | 2024 State NE has become a reliable force on the left pin who can also hit a variety of tempos and gaps. On the other side of the net, Megan Waters Megan Waters 5'10" | OH Lincoln East | 2024 State NE is one of those rare opposites who will take up a big chunk of the court in serve receive. Her versatility is always notable when she’s on the court.
16 Elite’s two-setter system is still humming along nicely. Caylee Rowley Caylee Rowley 5'9" | S Waverly | 2024 State NE and Ali Bruning Ali Bruning 5'8" | S Nebraska Christian | 2024 State NE have compatible setting styles that lead to seamless transitions between each player’s on-court rotations. Major props are also due to athletes like Mallorie Meyer Mallorie Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln East | 2024 State NE and Tia Traudt Tia Traudt 6'0" | OH Grand Island | 2025 State NE for their continued displays of ball control prowess and steady leadership on every point. That’s what it’s going to take to find championship magic in Disney World.