Lincoln High hires alum Harper Case to lead volleyball program

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln High School Athletic Director Pat Gatzemeyer on Thursday announced Harper Case as the school’s next head volleyball coach.

Case attended Lincoln High from 2018 to 2022 and was an all-state honorable mention player during her career.

She is studying at Doane University and will graduate with degrees in both K-6 elementary education and K-12 special education in May 2026.

Case said she is looking forward to returning to Lincoln High to take the reins as the program’s leader this fall.

“I am beyond excited and grateful that Lincoln High has granted me this opportunity to take on the role of head coach,” Case said in a press release. “I have been an athlete of the game for an extensive time, and I have always wanted to be able to share my love and knowledge with young women and help shape them both on and off the court.”

Gatzemeyer said Case’s leadership skills impressed him when she applied for the position.

He felt she would make a positive impact on all aspects of the volleyball program.

“Harper has passion, great work ethic and a good knowledge of volleyball that she will use in program and player development,” Gatzemeyer said in the release. “She is a coach focused on utilizing the team’s strengths by creating a culture of effort, discipline and skill improvement. As a graduate of Lincoln High, Harper has an understanding and respect for the staff, students, school traditions and the volleyball program.”

Case said one of her primary goals is to build a program based on cooperation, teamwork and determination.

“Lincoln High is a school that has been built on tradition and unity, and those are two big links that I want to reinstate as I advance through my coaching journey,” Case said. “Having LHS be competitive is always a goal, but I believe that fostering a community of athletes who are well-rounded people and want to be in a competitive environment will be the stepping stone to get LHS back to its fullest potential.”

Case finished her senior season at Lincoln High with 418 digs, 374 serve receptions and 31 service aces.

She recorded double-digit dig totals 20 times throughout the season, including a 31-dig effort in a match against Lincoln Southeast.

Case inherits a roster with many young players after the graduation of seven seniors last season.

“I feel proud to represent so many strong women and a program that I know helped shape who I am today and has given me the attributes to come back, ready to take over,” Case said. “Lincoln High has always been a home to me, and as we all know, once a Link, always a Link.”