Get to Know Nebraska Phenom Shayla Rautenburg

The state of Nebraska has produced numerous decorated volleyball players, most notably in 4x Olympian Jordan Larson (known colliqually as“the Gov” for her household-name status). However, it’s been a while since talent of a similar pedigree thas arisen from the area – that is, until now. If her current success is any indication, Shayla Rautenburg – a 6-3 middle blocker in the class of 2028 – is the next big thing to come out the state. As a freshman at Milford High School, she led her team in kills (442), averaging 4.1 per set on a .305 clip, as well as adding 118 blocks and 27 aces. Her efforts carried her team to the first state tournament since 1997, earning first team All-State honors. 

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If you thought one sport was enough, Rautenburg also excels in basketball; reaching the championship game as a starting freshman. Theres no doubt where her athleticism comes from though; her mother, Lisa Reitsma, is a former Nebraska Volleyball All-American. Shayla owes her passion for volleyball to her; “I fell in love with volleyball when I first started and I learned my mom played.” Shen asked about when she had decided to pursue a collegiate career, she say it has always been a dream of hers. Currently, Shayla is representing USA on the U19 team at a mere 15 years old, one of the youngest players on the team. In her debut match for the National Team, she scored a team-high 13 points to lead the team to a win over Venezuela. She added 11 kills (.600) against Mexico. I asked Shayla how it felt to represent the country at such a young age and what she hopes to take away from the experience; “I am truly honored and blessed to represent my country while doing what I love. I want to get a feel for what it’s like to play internationally as such a young age and so early in my career.” 

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I asked Shayla what current players she admires and models her game off of, her response being a quite familiar name; Andi Jackson. “I think we are very similar players,” she says, “same position and similar playing styles.” This response bodes well not just for Husker fans, but the game of volleyball as a whole. Jackson is such a unique athletic talent and to think that even once she graduates, we will have a new face to watch bounce balls inside the 10 foot and suffocate the opponents with her block. Rautenburg has it all – height, power, and an innate knack for the game that manifest itself in her termianlity and efficiency. Its clear to many that she is a once-in-a-generation talent, and many top collegiate programs are already competing to win her favor.

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With a camp resume of Nebraska, Stanford, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Creighton, and Minnesota; Shayla will certainly have a myriad of top-notch choices calling come next year. While I’m sure many reading this are biased towards Nebraska and would love to see her as a Husker (me included), this is a big decision and it should be entirely her choice on cultivating her future. Whether she ends up in the scarlet and cream or not, Rautenburg has set herself up on a path to success, and will inevitably bring great pride to the state of Nebraska snd her family legacy. 

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