Nebraska opposite hitter Whitney Lauenstein announces she is stepping away from volleyball
Nebraska opposite hitter Whitney Lauenstein announced on Tuesday that she is stepping away from volleyball.
“With that being said I have thought long and hard about my decision and took the holidays with my family to clear my mind but I have decided to step away from the volleyball team to focus on myself and be with my family and continue to heal due to the passing of my dad,” Lauenstein said on Instagram.
The sophomore from Waverly, Nebraska was on the AVCA North All-Region Team in 2022. She averaged 2.78 kills per set, hit .238 and killed 297 balls, the second most on the team. Lauenstein contributed 1.07 blocks per set, the second most on the team, and led the Huskers with 0.26 service aces.
The opposite hitter’s best career match was against Creighton. She recorded 25 kills, hit .385 and came up with two blocks in Nebraska’s five-set win at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Lauenstein’s athleticism made her one of the Huskers’ best blockers. She and middle blocker Kaitlyn Hord, Nebraska’s leading blocker, formed one of the best blocking duos in the Big Ten.
As a freshman, Lauenstein battled for the starting job against Lindsay Krause on the right side. Krause won the job but Lauenstein still played in 27 matches. She averaged 0.93 kills per set, 0.33 blocks and hit .130.
She had a huge off-season to become one of Nebraska’s top hitters and help the team get to the Sweet 16.
At Waverly, Lauenstein was a late bloomer on the volleyball court. In high school, she became determined to play at the next level. She committed to the weight room and working fundamentals.
Lauenstein became the No. 16 overall 2021 prospect by PrepVolleyball.com and the No. 2 prospect in the state of Nebraska.
The 6-foot-2 hitter was the last addition to the Huskers’ 2021 class. The class of 2021 was one of the best recruiting classes in Nebraska volleyball history. The six members included Lauenstein, Krause, outside hitter Ally Batenhorst, libero Lexi Rodriguez, setter Kennedi Orr and middle blocker Rylee Gray.
Gray medically retired after the 2021 season and Lauenstein has moved on as well.
Next woman up
Nebraska on Dec. 23 announced the addition of former Florida outside/opposite hitter Merritt Beason.
Beason will be a right-side hitter at Nebraska, filling Lauenstein’s position. The Florida transfer was arguably the best opposite in the transfer portal.
Husker Head Coach John Cook said in a statement that Nebraska has been undergoing some roster adjustments since the season ended. He was likely referring to the loss of Lauenstein and even setter Anni Evans who entered the portal as well.
Nebraska volleyball lands huge commitment from Florida transfer Merritt Beason
The Alabama native was brought in to fill the hole that Lauenstein left behind her.
“(Beason) will fill a huge need for our team and her personality on and off the court will create an instant connection with Husker Nation,” Cook said. “‘MB3’ is a true six-rotation player and can do it all.”
The 6-foot-3 opposite averaged 3.35 kills per set and had 348 kills total in 2022. She hit .261 and her 0.37 service aces per set ranked third in the SEC. Beason also was 10th in the conference in points per set with a 4.18 average.
She is the only player on Nebraska’s roster who has beaten Wisconsin. Beason was a key part of Florida taking down the Badgers in five sets in 2022. The hitter recorded 21 kills and hit .245 with three aces.
The Huskers have five other outside hitters on the roster with juniors Lindsay Krause, Ally Batenhorst, sophomore Hayden Kubik and freshmen Harper Murray and Caroline Jurevicius. Batenhorst, Kubik and Murray favor the left side and Jurevicius is an opposite. Krause has experience on both sides.
