Rutgers recruit Kenzie Dyrstad leads top-ranked Papio South
PAPILLION, Neb. (BVM) — Papillion-LaVista South standout Kenzie Dyrstad has always wanted to take her volleyball talents to the highest level and has gone all in to reach this goal.
The high school junior started playing volleyball at a young age after being inspired by her grandpa, who directed a local club volleyball team, Premiere Volleyball. At 11 years old she joined the club team where she fell in love with the game right away.
“The people really made me love the game because they were always willing to help me improve,” Dyrstad said. “I loved how everyone helped each other get better and a lot of coaches were former players so it’s cool to see how they still have a love for the game.”
Dyrstad competed for her club team until high school when she played at Bellevue West High School for her first two years. However, her family ended up moving before her junior year to where she would attend Papillion-LaVista South.
“The culture is different but welcoming and supportive,” Dyrstad said. “Papio South is ranked top 10 in the country so I was excited to be on such a good volleyball team and to be a part of their winning culture.”
Dyrstad is not exaggerating how good Papio South is this season. According to MaxPreps, Papillion LaVista South is ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 1 in Nebraska. The Titans are currently undefeated 32-0.
According to Dyrstad, the team does a lot of mental training in addition to its rigorous regular practice and weightlifting sessions. Dyrstad says her commitment to these practices as well as her teammates has made her a better athlete.
“Coach really understands the importance of team chemistry and everyone has to work together and keep working hard,” Dyrstad said. “It’s a really goal-driven environment but it works.”
Although she is one of the Titans’ top players, Dyrstad believes everyone is a key player and they don’t have a weak link.
“We have such a tight bond; we always make eye contact and stay together and if we can’t break then we know we won’t lose against our opponent,” Dyrstad said.
In addition to her high school training, she also still practices with her club team a couple times a week. Despite the heavy training, she said she is still able to balance it well with school, and that it’s all to make her a better athlete.
Dyrstad is taking her winning mentality to Rutgers University where she has already committed. Although she looked at several Division I programs, she chose Rutgers because of the coaches and the fact that the program is in a transition period.
“I love that Rutgers is bigger but still has a family feel,” Dyrstad said. “They have amazing coaches who are only in their second year, and are trying to turn the program around. They are doing good so far with a new coaching staff and bringing in new players and I wanted to be a part of that and help the program.”
For Dyrstad, who still has two seasons of volleyball to finish at Papio South, the best may be yet to come. For now, she is looking forward to finishing her first season at Papio South, perhaps with a state championship.
“All of my success has been because of the people around me,” Dyrstad said. “My coaches and teammates make me better and I just can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
