Nebraska volleyball commit Shayla Rautenberg balancing stardom, small-town roots

Milford standout Shayla Rautenberg is one of the nation's top volleyball prospects, but before she becomes a Husker, she's focused on leaving an even bigger legacy as an Eagle.

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Nebraska volleyball commit Shayla Rautenberg balancing stardom, small-town roots before Husker career

From state champion to future Husker, Shayla Rautenberg’s journey is rooted in family, community and a relentless competitive drive.

MILFORD, Neb. —

At 6-foot-4, Shayla Rautenberg is impossible to miss the moment she steps onto the court.

The Milford standout has developed into one of the nation’s top volleyball prospects, but there was a time when basketball was her first love.

“I mean, if you would have asked me, like when I was in sixth grade, I probably would have told you that I wanted to play basketball just because I was a little bit better at that,” Rautenberg said. “Then it finally clicked in eighth grade and everything came together.”

Those closest to Rautenberg say her athletic ability is only part of what makes her special.

“Amazing athlete. I don’t think I’ve met someone as competitive as Shayla,” Milford volleyball coach Emily Restau said. “It literally has to be tamed at times, but it’s like a competitive calm.”

That competitive drive has fueled remarkable success.

Last school year, Rautenberg helped lead Milford to a combined 61-2 record in volleyball and basketball while helping the Eagles capture the first state championships in school history in both sports.

“It shows that you don’t have to specialize to be great in one thing,” Restau said.

While Rautenberg has excelled in multiple sports, volleyball ultimately won her heart.

Now ranked the No. 3 player nationally in the Class of 2028 by PrepDig, Rautenberg announced her verbal commitment to Nebraska in June.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to Nebraska,” Rautenberg said. “It was kind of surreal because it finally happened. It’s a dream come true.”

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The opportunity also allows Rautenberg to follow in her family’s footsteps.

Her mother, Lisa Reitsma, was an All-American outside hitter at Nebraska from 1995-98 and helped lead the Huskers to the program’s first NCAA national championship in 1995.

“Getting to live on the legacy…growing up around the sport, growing up around Nebraska and going to all the games, it’s just really cool that I get to say that I’m going to Nebraska and my mom went there,” Rautenberg said.

She also looks forward to becoming part of a program that continues to elevate women’s volleyball.

“They’re breaking attendance records wherever they go,” Rautenberg said. “Getting to be a part of that, it’s just going to keep getting bigger. I’m really glad that I get to be a part of it.”

Despite her future in Lincoln, Rautenberg says Milford will always hold a special place in her heart.

“I’m still going to come back and be supportive of this community because they were so supportive of me,” she said.

Restau believes Rautenberg’s impact extends well beyond the volleyball court.

“It’s a complete opportunity not only for her, but Milford, and all these girls that look up to her as well.”

“Obviously my family will be at every single game,” Rautenberg said. “All my friends live here. I wouldn’t have that anywhere else but here. Staying close to home means a lot.”

Before she arrives in Lincoln, Rautenberg hopes to bring some more hardware to Milford.

“Obviously, we graduated some seniors and they were a big part of this, but I think we have some freshmen that can step up,” she said. “I can’t wait to see how we do.”