Johnmeyer joins Graceland University

Submitted photo Nevada High’s Kaitlynn Johnmeyer (center) is surrounded by family and coaches during her recent signing-day ceremony at the NHS media center.

Submitted photo

Nevada High School volleyball standout Kaitlynn Johnmeyer will be taking her talents to Graceland University, as the senior student-athlete signed a national letter-of-intent May 8 at the NHS Media Center.

Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa, is affiliated with the Heart of America Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Heart of America Conference is comprised of 14 teams, with campuses located in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

Johnmeyer said she is looking forward to taking her game to the collegiate level.

“The level of play will be more intense,” she said. “It will definitely be a challenge continuing on at the next level.”

Johnmeyer, a middle blocker, was a key cog on the Lady Tigers Class 3 District 12 championship squad this past season.

Kaitlynn played a vital part in the success of our 2016 team that won the district title,” said Nevada High head volleyball coach Ashley Thoreson.

“She is a very strong hitter when she gets a hold of the ball. Having her experience and presence at the net is something we will miss and lack this coming season.”

Johnmeyer also had four critical blocks in of the most memorable games in recent Lady Tigers’ history, as Nevada stunned powerhouse St. Pius X Sept. 22 at Wynn Gym in a three-set thriller, in which Nevada trailed 24-18 in the final set.

Thoreson said she is confident Johnmeyer will thrive at the collegiate level.

“As Kaitlynn gets more experience and confidence in her abilities, she can and will maximize her potential at the net,” said Thoreson. “She was focusing on being more vocal during her junior and senior seasons and this is something that will help her in all aspects of her game.”

Johnmeyer, a member of the club volleyball team MOKAN Elite, tentatively plans on majoring in biology.

“I have always been very interested in biology,” she said. “It also provides a lot of opportunities in the job world,” Johnmeyer said, adding she’s a fan of the smaller classroom settings Graceland offers.

Johnmeyer, whose parents are Scott and Tanya Burns, was a three-year varsity member for the Lady Tigers volleyball program while also collecting second-team all-district accolades in 2016. Johnmeyer also has a younger sibling, Kaden Burns.