Looking Back on the Players that Defined the Class of 2019: Carly Renken

We are about a month away from all the graduation ceremonies and parties for the Class of 2019. 

I personally realize that not every athlete/family/team/coach, et al, will like me, my opinions, my work and my opinions and that's OK. But, the reality is that the only reason I do what I do is because of the love and appreciation of the sport of volleyball in the state of Nebraska and the athletes/families/teams/coaches that make it such a great sport.

I become personally attached to so many people every year, that I truly feel joy for them when they succeed, pain for them when they fall and sadness for myself when their playing days are over. This is truly a labor of love for me.

I'm not going to lie, there will always be a special place in my heart for the Class of 2019 and the athletes in it. My youngest daughter is a member of the Class of 2019, so I've been watching this group of kids since they were literally 10-12 years old. In a lot of ways, a number of the kids and families have become extended members of my family and I am grateful for the relationships and experiences we've shared.

So, over the next few weeks I will take a walk down memory lane when talking about some of the players from the Class of 2019 and the lasting impact they made on the sport in Nebraska. This isn't about what stats a player had, what records they broke or any of that. It's about the legacy they leave as high school players – which goes far beyond numbers.

Carly Renken, Millard West/Millard South/Premier

Of all the volleyball players that defined the Class of 2019, Carly Renken is by far the individual who least impacted the sport on the court during her time in high school. I would also state that Renken will leave a legacy behind her far greater than anyone I know and that will be what I forever remember about Renken.

I was always a huge Renken fan going back to when she played in the youngest of age divisions and was playing middle school volleyball. She's everything you look for in a pin hitter on the right side. She's tall, athletic and she's a lefty that really thumped it back then. Even back then, playing for Premier, you could tell she was going to special because not only did she have the physical tools, but her make-up as a person is off the charts. Great teammate - even better person, on par with a someone like Mikaela Foecke from that standpoint. 

Then, generally speaking, in her 8th and 9th grade years, Renken had severe issues with her back. It's not my story to tell, but just know that it was a really bad situation in which the fact that her volleyball career might be over was probably the least of her worries. It was serious.

Renken, middle of the back row, was a member of the Premier 14 Gold team that won the 14 National division title at USAV nationals.

Renken would have likely made a big impact for Millard West her freshman year if she would have been able to play. After her freshman year, she transferred to Millard South but her back would never be healthy enough to play volleyball again. That easily could be where the Renken story ends, but the fact is that's where it really just starts to get good.

I can't put into words how impressive of a young woman Renken is - so wise and mature beyond her years - and despite having a derailed athletic career in high school, she has gone on to touch the lives of so many people in a positive way and make a difference to so many people.

Renken co-founded a nonprofit organization that conducts music sessions for more than 40 kids with special needs in the Omaha metro area. Her nonprofit, “Special Musicians,” which is designed to provide an inclusive, safe and fun learning environment, teaches basic music theory; features instrument-playing, singing and dancing; and culminates with a performance in front of friends and family members.

Renken has spearheaded Unified activities at Millard South during her career there and Millard South is now - as of a couple weeks ago - a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School - earned because of its commitment to unified sports on campus. Renken did a lot of the heavy lifting on that.

After Millard South was honored with that achievement, Renken told WOWT-TV that, in her mind, there is no difference between those who compete in Unified actives and those that compete in other actives. 

"That doesn't hinder our friendship," she said of her relationship with Unified athletes. "That doesn't hinder our social interaction. I want them to be able to feel empowered and feel like they're valued."

"I'm super emotional. I've been emotional all day. It's a really big deal and I'm really proud to see Millard South be presented with this banner."

I've been blessed to see Renken in action at Unified events over the past couple years. Let me tell you, she is an absolute magnet for every athlete there. Her incredibly bright, warm and caring spirit absolutely shines through and radiates to everyone involved. I do not believe that in my lifetime, I have ever seen a high school-aged individual have the leadership, energy, drive and passion for something so important. 

I don't have any idea what Renken's plans are after high school - although an educated guess would be that she's destined to be in education. This much I know, Renken has done more for the Millard schools than any other athlete I can remember. And, she did it despite having her athletic career taken away from her. 

Carly, thank you for the direction you took your life during years when most people are really struggling to find themselves. Thank you for the positive influence that you have had in the Millard community and specifically in the culture at Millard South High School. I would have loved to have been able to see what kind of volleyball career you would have had - but, frankly, none of that matters because no matter how great it would have been, it would still pale in comparison to what you've accomplished and done. Bless you and best of luck to you Carly!