Raised in Tiger territory, UNK senior Emilee Lane is leaving her mark as a Loper
KEARNEY – Growing up in Hays, Kansas – home of longtime rival Fort Hays State – Emilee Lane had every reason to wear Tiger black and gold.
Instead, she chose Loper blue.
“I could have been the hometown hero, but I said no,” Lane said with a smile.
The decision to leave her hometown, just 2 1/2 hours south of Kearney, proved to be a game-changer. Now a senior outside hitter for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Lane is a key piece of a volleyball program that’s ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division II with a 13-0 record this season.
Becoming a Loper
The daughter of a former collegiate player, volleyball has long been part of Lane’s life. She started playing in third grade, joined a club team in sixth grade and starred at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, where she earned multiple all-state honors and tallied 419 kills her senior season.
Although Fort Hays State recruited her, Lane wanted something different.
“I wanted to get away from Hays a little bit, but I still wanted to be close to home so my parents could come to games,” she said. “UNK was perfect. It’s a powerhouse program in a highly competitive conference, and I really wanted to be part of something special like that.”
That competitive fire fit right in with the Lopers, who have reached the national tournament every year since 1999.
Head coach Rick Squiers is happy to have a player of Lane’s caliber on campus.
“I love the fact that I’m not playing against her,” he said with a laugh. “That was a little bit of a recruiting battle, and she’s had some of her biggest matches against Fort Hays State. She’s that kind of person on the inside.”
Lane racked up 13 kills against the Tigers as a freshman during her first match back in Hays.
“In moments like that, I think she really comes to play,” Squiers said.
Quiet competitor
Over three-plus seasons, Lane has steadily developed into a go-to player for UNK, which has a 100-15 record during that time.
“I think confidence is a big thing,” she said. “When you’re a younger player, you can be a little scared out there, even though your teammates are always supporting you. I definitely know what to expect now and how to turn on that game-day mentality. Each year, I think my confidence has grown.”
Squiers describes her as a “quiet competitor” who leads by example.
“There’s no question she’s competitive – a bit of a perfectionist who demands a lot of herself,” he said. “She’s continued to get better every year. Now, she’s a veteran senior who’s playing like a senior. That’s huge for our team because it establishes a culture and allows younger players to follow a similar path.”
A second team All-MIAA selection last season, Lane appeared in all 33 matches, ranking third on the team with 305 kills and 2.93 kills per set. She finished the year with double-digit kills in nine of the final 11 matches.
Lane has played in all 13 matches this fall, ranking second on the team with 120 total kills and 3.53 per set. She’s third in the MIAA in both categories, with teammate Carly Purdy leading the conference. Lane has posted double-digit kills in seven matches so far, helping UNK lead the league in hitting percentage (.324) and total kills (595).
“It’s always competitive here – there are three or more people fighting for a spot every year – but that just pushes you to work harder and not take anything for granted,” Lane said. “It builds that competitive drive and makes you a better volleyball player.”
Her consistency has been critical for a program with national aspirations.
“I think this team has a really high ceiling,” Squiers said. “It’s one of the deeper teams we’ve had. If we can survive a tough conference and we’re there at the end, this group has a chance to go do anything, including win the region and win the national tournament.”
Beyond the court
A sports management major with minors in coaching and event management, Lane takes academics just as seriously as athletics. She’s a three-time MIAA Academic Excellence Award winner, recognizing student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and a CSC Academic All-District honoree.
Lane is involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Catholic Newman Center and SpRec Club, a student organization within the sport and recreation management program. She’s worked at Kearney Family YMCA and Kearney Park and Recreation during the offseason and gained additional experience as an intern with UNK Athletics.
After earning her degree in May, she plans to start a career in collegiate athletics through a graduate assistantship or another position.
“I’ve loved my time here, and I want to remain in college sports so I can ensure other student-athletes have similar experiences,” Lane said. “Being a Loper is something I’ll always carry with me. The history and tradition of this program are so awesome, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”