Waverly’s Lauenstein’s journey to becoming a Husker volleyball commit

The Husker commit will join one of the most talented recruiting classes in Husker volleyball history.

WAVERLY – Unlike many athletes, Waverly senior and Husker commit Whitney Lauenstein didn’t know volleyball was her sport from the start.

“It was just something that I went to,” Lauenstein said. “It wasn’t my favorite sport.”

Like many kids her age, she had a taste of all different types of sports.

“I really liked gymnastics for a little bit, and after a week I remember going to practice and crying saying, ‘Mom, I don’t want to do it anymore,”’ said Lauenstein.

But heading into high school was when Lauenstein’s love for the game really grew and so did she.

“I was growing so much,” Lauenstein. “It was like 3 inches in 2 months.”

And with this crazy growth spurt, Lauenstein was ready to play Varsity at Waverly. However, she was placed on the JV roster.

“I just didn’t want to play anymore,” Lauenstein said. “I didn’t want to play volleyball anymore.”

So, Launstein used this decision as a wake-up call which made her realize she was going to have to give it her all if she wanted to play at the collegiate level.

“Before that I kinda just played the sport, but then it clicked. I need to work hard. And if I want to achieve what I want to achieve, then I need to work hard and put some work in.”

And Lauenstein did. Not only making the Varsity team the following year, but also catching the eye of college scouts across the country. She first heard from smaller schools then big name universities began to reach out when she switched from middle to outside hitter.

“Everything started to click,” Lauenstein said.

Lauenstein’s hard work paid off and landed her in the 16 spot in the nation for her recruiting class. Schools like Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri and of course Nebraska all began to heavily recruit her.

“My email blew up all the time. I was getting stuff in the mail all the time, Lauenstein said.  “My phone was blowing up.”

However, from the start, University of Nebraska-Lincoln was an obvious choice.

“I’ve always wanted to play at Nebraska when I was a kid,” Lauenstein said. “I mean what girl did not want to play volleyball at Nebraska?”

While living out a childhood dream of her’s, Lauenstein will be joined by one of the best recruiting classes in Husker volleyball history all under head coach John Cooke, who Lauenstein was more than excited to talk to when he recruited her.

“I was so nervous. I have to say everything perfect because it’s John Cook,” Lauenstein said. “I am talking to John Cook.”

While the future is bright for Lauenstein and Husker volleyball, she is just glad to be playing close to home.

“I’m not leaving home you know it’s just going to be home I guess,” Lauenstein said.