Sutton’s Kyla Griess is named an AAU All-American following tournament play
ORLANDO, FL. — South Central Volleyball Club’s 18 Black team capped a historic club career by earning a third-place finish in the 18 Club Division, AAU’s highest level of competition, at the AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships.
Competing against many of the nation’s top club programs, South Central’s only losses during the tournament came to eventual national champion Alabama Performance. The teams first met during pool play before meeting again in the semifinals. South Central was the only team in the tournament whose only defeats were to the national champions.
Alabama Performance’s roster featured an impressive collection of NCAA Division I commits, including future players at Michigan State, Syracuse, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Bucknell, and Virginia Tech, underscoring the level of competition South Central faced on its path to the national semifinals.
After advancing out of pool play, South Central opened Gold Bracket play with a victory over Sanford Sports of South Dakota before defeating Southwest Minnesota in the quarterfinals. Southwest Minnesota had previously handed eventual national runner-up River City its only pool play loss. The quarterfinal victory secured the team’s third national podium finish in the past four seasons as South Central finished the tournament with a remarkable 10-2 record.
The accomplishment marks the culmination of years of success for a core group of seniors who helped establish South Central Volleyball Club as one of Nebraska’s premier club volleyball programs.
Over the past four seasons, these athletes consistently proved themselves among the nation’s best, finishing third at USAV Nationals as 15s, third as 16s, fifth as 17s, and third at AAU Nationals as 18s. Their sustained excellence over four seasons is an achievement few club teams can match.
The team was led by head coach Jill Bauer, a former Kansas State University Wildcat and current assistant coach at Deshler High School, and assistant coach Michelle Sjuts, a former Nebraska Cornhusker standout and assistant coach at Lincoln Lutheran. Together, they guided a roster built on selflessness, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to one another.
Two players, Kyla Griess of Sutton and Myla Emery of Minden, were named AAU All-Americans following the tournament. Both will continue their volleyball careers this fall at Concordia University, where they will be joined by Jamie Vavra of Ord.
Payton Bauer of Deshler and Jalyn Branson of Shelton will continue their careers at the College of Saint Mary. Bella Sjuts of Lincoln Lutheran and Payton Sullivan of Hastings St. Cecilia will play at Wayne State College. Sydney Hengelfelt of Cross County will attend Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), pursuing an academic path.
The team competed without Taytum Perdew of Nebraska Christian, who was unable to attend the tournament as she prepared to begin her collegiate career at Midland University. Filling her role was Cayle Grossart, an incoming senior from Central Valley High School and standout member of South Central’s 17 Black team. Grossart stepped seamlessly into the lineup and made significant contributions throughout the tournament against elite national competition.
While the medals and accolades speak for themselves, the legacy of this team extends far beyond tournament finishes. Five years ago, South Central Volleyball Club, based in Aurora, qualified just one team for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. This season, the club sent seven teams to compete on the national stage, a testament to the remarkable growth of the club and the foundation this senior class helped build.
For these senior athletes, Orlando marked the final chapter of their club volleyball careers before beginning the next stage of their athletic and academic journeys. Their success helped transform South Central Volleyball Club into one of Nebraska’s premier volleyball programs and paved the way for future generations of athletes. They leave South Central not only as national medalists, but as the class that redefined what was possible for a small-town Nebraska club program.
South Central 18 Black
• Kyla Griess (Sutton) – Concordia University – AAU All-American;
• Myla Emery (Minden) – Concordia University – AAU All-American;
• Jamie Vavra (Ord) – Concordia University;
• Payton Bauer (Deshler) – College of Saint Mary;
• Jalyn Branson (Shelton) – College of Saint Mary;
• Bella Sjuts (Lincoln Lutheran) – Wayne State College;
• Payton Sullivan (Hastings St. Cecilia) – Wayne State College;
• Sydney Hengelfelt (Cross County) – Chadron State College (RHOP)
• Taytum Perdew (Nebraska Christian) – Midland University; and
• Cayle Grossart (Central Valley) – South Central 17 Black guest player.
