ARAPAHOE - Lincoln native Katie Wenz stepped out of her comfort zone when she accepted the head coaching position at Arapahoe in March.

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Click to view brackets for the Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City April 16-18.

Many Nebraska teams will be in competition at the second big national qualifying tournament this weekend in Kansas City.

Three bids to the USAV Nationals are up for grabs in the open divisions, while two will be awarded in the club division and one in the 12 club tournament.

18 Gold

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16 Gold

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OMAHA - The Nebraska Elite 13 Thunder swept the competition in the 13 Club Division of the Asics Presidents Day Classic, including a pair of wins over 2010 champion Nebraska ONE 13 Blaze.

The Thunder defeated Blaze 25-23, 25-10 in pool play Sunday and then beat Blaze 25-17, 25-12 in the championship on Monday.

Members of Thunder are Xindi Chen, Katie Ruffalo, Callie Alberico, Sierra Strattan, Elena Melendez, Halie McArdle, Sara Kneifl, Mia Lahood, Dani Carlson and Elise Duryea.

AUSTIN - The High Flyers 15s volleyball team became the first Nebraska boys volleyball team to compete in the OPEN Division at USAV Nationals in Austin, Texas the first week of July.

The High Flyers picked up three victories - a 25-22, 25-15 win over SPVB 15 Mizuno, a 25-21, 26-24 win over High Intensity 151 and a 25-22, 25-23 win over HPSTL 15 Navy.

Additionally, the High Flyers lost nine other matches - NSMVC B15-Navy (25-18, 25-21), Halcones de Torrimar (25-14, 25-21), R Thunder 15 Blue (30-28, 25-22), Adversity Elite 15 (25-23, 20-25, 15-5), MVP Golf (24-26, 25-19, 15-7), Ka Ulukoa M15 Mizuno (23-25, 25-14, 15-11), RVC 151 (25-16, 25-18), Eden Mizuno 15 (28-26, 29-27) and HPSTL 15 Navy (20-25, 25-21, 16-14).

AUSTIN - The High Flyers 15s volleyball team became the first Nebraska boys volleyball team to compete in the OPEN Division at USAV Nationals in Austin, Texas the first week of July.

The High Flyers picked up three victories - a 25-22, 25-15 win over SPVB 15 Mizuno, a 25-21, 26-24 win over High Intensity 151 and a 25-22, 25-23 win over HPSTL 15 Navy.

Additionally, the High Flyers lost nine other matches - NSMVC B15-Navy (25-18, 25-21), Halcones de Torrimar (25-14, 25-21), R Thunder 15 Blue (30-28, 25-22), Adversity Elite 15 (25-23, 20-25, 15-5), MVP Golf (24-26, 25-19, 15-7), Ka Ulukoa M15 Mizuno (23-25, 25-14, 15-11), RVC 151 (25-16, 25-18), Eden Mizuno 15 (28-26, 29-27) and HPSTL 15 Navy (20-25, 25-21, 16-14).

Click to view Ron Powell's story in Lincoln Journal Star

LINCOLN – When coaching his High Flyers 15-and-under boys volleyball team, Greg MacLean doesn't have to worry about dividing up playing time or how to use his bench.

That's because MacLean is alone on the sidelines. No subs. The six players on the floor are all he has.
"You just hope no one gets hurt or sick out there," MacLean said.

High Flyers Volleyball Club Members of the High Flyers 171 team include front row from left: Neely Sutter, Kayla Busboom, Mallory Morton, Courtney VanGroningen, Gina Vercellino; Back Row: Assistant Coach Alex Szalawiga, Chelsea Beach, Linsdsey Schlake, Kelsey Schlake, Ashley Snyder, Ashley Adams, Head Coach Katie Wenz.

Editors Note: Different Nebraska teams who have qualified for the USAV Nationals at the end of June will be featured in the coming weeks. Check back often to read about these successful Nebraska girls as they prepare for the biggest club tournament in the country.

Other Countdown to Reno Stories

Lincoln Elite Volleyball Club excelling in association with Nebraska Elite out of Omaha

High Flyers Volleyball Club Pictured is the High Flyers 151-M team, taken at Colorado Crossroads. In the photo, left-to-right (with vitals): Head Coach Greg MacLean, Simon Bruckner, Outside Hitter (8th Grader will attend Pius X), Luke Edwards, Middle Hitter (Freshman at Bellevue West HS,) Ben Crusinberry, Opposite (Freshman at Lincoln East HS), Jack MacLean, Setter (Freshman at Lincoln Southeast HS), Max Church, Middle Hitter (Freshman at Lincoln Southeast HS), Zach Dull, Outside Hitter (Freshman at Lincoln Lutheran HS).

LINCOLN – When Greg MacLean’s High Flyers 151-M boys volleyball team out of Lincoln shows up at most tournaments, the common response from opponents is likely “Are there more players coming?”

Nope.

Six players is a full team for MacLean’s group of ironmen, who play all-the-way around each rotation with no substitutions.