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WAYNE — Laney Kathol is going to be part of history.
Kathol is heading to Volleyball Day in Nebraska along with her Wayne State College teammates for an exhibition match against in-state rival, the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
The Wildcats will enter the “unofficial” match up as the No. 4 team in the country, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll released recently for NCAA Division II, while the Lopers will enter the contest as the No. 16 team in the country.
The 2023 Cedar Catholic graduate was a key to the Lady Trojans’ state tile last year, but she knows she has a lot to learn on the college level.
“I’m learning a lot of things since I came to camp here and started practicing,” Kathol said. “Every player here is a great player, things move very, very fast, but it’s been great.”
With the Wildcats returning all but one starter from last year’s team that made it to the NCAA Regional, Kathol realizes there is plenty of work to do.
“You really have to pick things up quickly, the coaches are only going to tell you once what you need to work on,” said Kathol. “But everyone on the team is so helpful, they mentor you and make you feel more comfortable, I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Volleyball Day in Nebraska was set to get underway Aug. 30 with the Wildcats and the Lopers, then a match between the Huskers and the University of Nebraska-Omaha will to follow.
A concert is slated for after the volleyball matches.
“We’re all looking forward to going to it,” Wayne State coach Scott Kneifl said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and quite an experience.”
The event starts a very busy week for Kathol and the Wildcats.
After Volleyball Day in Nebraska on Wednesday, Wayne State flies to the Golden Bear Invitational in Irvine Calif, for two matches on Friday and two on Saturday.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Kathol said. “It’s super exciting and I’m trying to just soak it all in, I’ve got a long ways to go, but I’ll keep working.”
