High school volleyball: 7 underclassmen who shined at the state tournament

Many of the state's big names — Anna Jelinek, Keri Leimbach, Charlee Solomon, Tia Traudt, among others — all signed on to play college volleyball earlier this week.

Each shined at last week's state volleyball tournament. But the four-day event also offered the chance for underclassmen to take the big stage.

Nora Herian, OH, Pierce, so.

They said it: "Nora is an incredibly talented player and a great teammate. In her first two years in high school, she had 981 kills, 630 of which came in her sophomore season. She has also made an incredible impact in serve receive, averaging a 2.19 (on a 3.0 scale). Beyond her great numbers, I've been impressed with her growth as a leader on the court and her ability to block out the outside noise that tends to follow her. She is quick to praise and celebrate her teammates' success and never attempts to occupy the spotlight alone." — Pierce coach Zach Weber

Lyric Judson, MB, Papillon-La Vista South, so.

The highlight: Judson was a key to the Titans returning to the top of Class A. The sophomore turned heads this season as she had a team-high 302 kills, 81 blocks and 29 ace serves. Judson was responsible for 32 kills and 19 blocks in the tournament alone. The "do-it-all" sophomore thrived in her middle blocker position and is expected to be a cog in the Papio South lineup for the next two seasons.

They said it: "Lyric Judson is a force to be reckoned with and she doesn't even know it. She is the kind of kid everyone wants on their team. She is hardworking and smart. She is learning quickly how influential she is. She is reliable and inclusive. This year, she really grew as a leader and was depended on in new ways. She led by example daily but even more, she grew vocally as a leader her teammates respected and listened to. She expanded her game to include passing, back-row defense and serving. We are so proud of her and lucky to have her for two more years." — Papillion-La Vista coach Katie Tarman

Gracie Lauenstein, OH, Waverly, so.

The highlight: The Vikings' twins are a handful for other teams. The sophomore Lauenstein sisters are among the most versatile players in all of Class B. Gracie thrives in her defensive role and is aggressive on the offensive attack. After tallying 448 service receptions, 335 digs and 329 kills, the stats speak for themselves — Gracie is a star in the making.

They said it: "Gracie Lauenstein was a key part of the success of our team. Gracie raised her hitting percentage over 100 points this year, making her a force on the outside. Her role as a primary passer was also a huge contributor to this season's success. Gracie has also developed as a leader on the team and helped us stay on track in big moments. Gracie will be a huge part of Waverly Volleyball in years to come and I am excited for her future." — Waverly coach Terri Neujahr

Hallie Lauenstein, OH, Waverly, so.

The highlight: To make matters better for Waverly, the other half of the sister duo had a better offensive year. Hallie is just as versatile as her sister with 350 service receptions, 324 digs and a team-high 368 kills this regular season. Hallie's volleyball awareness and drive for success should bode well for Waverly's desire to bring home a state title.

They said it: "Hallie Lauenstein was an integral piece of our team's achievements this season. As our team leader in kills, and setting the school record for ace serves in a season, Hallie has been a workhorse for us, refining her attacks and perfecting her serve placement. She has tremendous upside and I am looking forward to the future in how she develops and contributes to Waverly's success." — Waverly coach Terri Neujahr

Reagan Meyers, OH, Superior, so.

The highlight: Meyers enshrined her name into the record books this season. After breaking the all-class kills record with 834 this season, she helped the Wildcats claim their second state title. Meyers had a jaw-dropping 89 kills in the state tournament, propelling Superior to the championship match. The 6-foot-2 sophomore will look to repeat and better her success next season.

They said it: "Reagan, like the rest of her teammates, are invaluable. Reagan is an athlete that is constantly wanting more, no matter the feedback. She is constantly supporting her teammates and pushing them to be better as they do for her as well. She is a very well-rounded player that is just at the beginning of a very bright, long career. She really had a breakout year this year, especially with her offense. She is very versatile and can play and be very effective no matter where she attacks from on the court. Reagan continues to get better every time she is on the court. I truly believe she isn't anywhere near her peak performance yet." — Superior coach Jessica Diehl

Shayla Rautenberg, OH, Milford, fr.

The highlight: Rautenberg opened the state tournament giving it her all. Though her time at state was brief, she made it count with 29 kills in Milford's first-round loss to Pierce. Rautenberg was the go-to hitter for the Eagles, as the 6-foot-1 freshman had a team-high 293 kills. Look for Milford to reappear in the state tournament next year with an even brighter hitting star.

They said it: "Shayla is a player who exemplifies versatility, poise, drive and a love for volleyball. Her demeanor on the court is unlike that of many young players and she can excel and terminate from multiple positions in high-pressure situations. Shayla's development peak started at our conference tournament. She understood how to use her length defensively at the net and then quickly transitioned into an offensive threat in multiple parts of the game and positions on the net." — Milford coach Emily Restau

Reagan Wallraff, OH, Elkhorn North, so.

The highlight: Wallraff is one of the best attackers in the state, regardless of class. The 6-foot hitter thrives in her attack and utilizes her potent right-handed swing to land devastating kills. In her freshman year, she landed 404 kills in the regular season. Her sophomore campaign led to 553. Wallraff is the key to Elkhorn North's success and will be a pertinent piece for years to come.

They said it: "Reagan is an extraordinarily gifted and talented volleyball player. Her natural ability combined with her drive to improve makes her an athlete that will be remembered for years to come. Reagan is not only a remarkable athlete, but also a genuinely incredible person making her notable achievements worth celebrating tenfold." — Elkhorn North coach Jenny Gragert