DAYKIN, Neb. - When she was younger, Jaylee Sobotka watched her two older sisters excel in many exploits at Meridian Public School and go on to continue their athletic careers. This week, it was her turn to take center stage.  

The youngest sister in this successful family of athletes charted her own course and set her own legacy by signing to continue her volleyball career at Central Community College – Columbus on Friday afternoon in Daykin. 

“It means a lot to have my family, my teammates, my coaches, everyone that’s supported me along the way from when I was a freshman to now,” Sobotka said. “It feels good. I’m excited to go to the next level, and prove what I can do.” 

“It’s super exciting. I love to see my athletes go to the next level,” Meridian head volleyball coach Brooke Wolfe said. “I’m happy that they find enough joy in volleyball to continue on, and I’m excited to see where her career goes. I’m glad that we can give her the foundations here to excel.” 

A multi-sport star for the Mustangs, Sobotka’s volleyball and softball teams have won state championships during her time in Daykin, where she also competes on the track team and is one of the state’s leading rebounders in basketball. But ever since she first got a taste of volleyball in third and fourth grade, she knew that would be her sport of choice, and she’s been building to this signing day ever since.  

And she certainly made an impact on a Meridian volleyball program that has a long history of success, thanks in no small part to the Sobotka family – Jaylee and the Mustangs qualified for the state tournament in three of her four seasons. 

“Jay was a huge part of the success that we had in the program,” Wolfe said. “She was our go-to when she was in the front row, and all her teammates fed off of her energy. She did a good job of keeping the calm during the excitement of some times, and I’m really excited and really happy that she gets to go on to the next level, I hope that they excel and do well and she enjoys it there.” 

Jaylee watched from the sidelines with her family for years as her older sisters Jaicee and Josiee excelled in volleyball and many other sports at Meridian. But now, she’s made her own mark, and on Friday, both older sisters were on hand to watch Jaylee formally take the next step in her own athletic career. 

“It’s different,” Jaylee said. “I followed my sisters around for a long time, and now it’s their turn to follow me around. I’m proud, and I bet they’re proud of me too.” 

“When she was younger, she had older sisters that I’m sure that she idolized and watched all of their games, and that’s where the best athletes come from, where they see their idols or loved ones do the sport as well,” said Wolfe. 

Aside from her sisters and many other members of her family, on hand for Friday’s signing were many of Sobotka’s teammates – at a school like Meridian, most of these young women have competed with or against Sobotka on more than one of her four teams, which she said helps them perform better but also simply enjoy themselves more, which is why having all them there to cheer her on in this moment was even more significant. 

“They’ve been supporting me my whole time, they’ve always been here no matter what. It’s a great feeling to have,” she said. “We’re always together – team bonding, practices, going shopping together, team camps. We’re always together and we have a great friendship.” 

Sobotka will be pursuing an associate’s degree in applied health sciences at CCC, after which she plans to finish off her studies at a four-year school in preparation to become a dental hygienist, which she says she hopes to use to help take care of people in a small community like hers.