Emersyn Exner | Senior | Papillion LaVista South High School
Papillion LaVista (PLV) South High School senior Emersyn Exner has been playing softball her whole life. “My dad was a high school baseball coach, so I was always around baseball and softball,” she said. “I played t-ball, then coach pitch, and then later joined Nebraska Gold club softball.” A multi-sport athlete, Exner currently also plays on the PLV South soccer team and played basketball through freshman year.
Playing shortstop for the Nebraska Gold club softball team has been a game-changer for her. “The caliber of teams we play challenges me and makes me an overall better player. Plus, it’s really fun. We’ve traveled to Kansas City, Chicago, Boulder, Denver, Oklahoma, and California.”
Her PLV South softball team is close-knit. “The coaches are amazing and the girls are really close, which makes the season go by so fast,” she said. “I just love being there. We have team dinners once a week, which are always fun because we just eat and hang out after practice. We also have a scavenger hunt at the start of the year where we dress up in costumes and ‘kidnap’ the underclassmen. Of course they know what’s happening, and it’s always a fun night.”
Exner exhibits strong leadership skills and chooses to lead by example. “My goal was just to leave the program better than I found it, get close to the girls, and become a leader. I’m not going to go out and yell at someone. I’d rather become friends with them and build a close relationship. Then they trust that I know what I’m doing, and they look up to me in that way.”
Outside of softball, Exner attends the Health Systems Academy, spending half her school day at CHI Health Midlands Hospital, taking classes and shadowing nurses and other healthcare professionals. She works at a local nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant and is considering a career in nursing.
She has committed to play softball for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. “I had some other offers and I went on some visits, but when I visited St. Thomas, I just knew that was where I wanted to be. I love the coaches. They’re all so amazing. I knew that was where I wanted to go.”
Despite breaking her left thumb in her sophomore year, Exner stayed focused on being a supportive teammate. “I had to sit out for half of the season,” she shared. “That was hard to watch the team, knowing that I couldn’t really help them. I focused more on being a good teammate and a leader off the field.”
PLV South varsity softball coach Tom Horton believes Emersyn Exner has set the standard for what it means to be a Titan Softball player. “On the field, in the classroom, and in the dugout, she embodies excellence in every sense of the word,” he said. “A true competitor and leader, Emersyn’s dedication and consistency have made her one of the best players to ever wear a Titan uniform.”
Horton continued, “Last season, Emersyn earned a spot on the All-Nebraska Team, a well-deserved honor that highlights her incredible talent and impact on the game. She also etched her name into the Titan Softball record books by setting a new career batting average record, which is a testament to her focus, discipline, and relentless work ethic. But what truly sets Emersyn apart is who she is as a teammate and person. She’s positive, supportive, and always willing to help others, whether it’s offering encouragement to a younger player or leading by example with her hustle and preparation. Her energy lifts those around her, and her commitment to doing things the right way—both on and off the field—has left a lasting mark on Titan Softball.”
Exner strives to make her family, coaches and teammates proud. “I have high standards for myself. I want to win for my teammates and my family, not impress them, but to do good in front of them.” Horton agreed. “Emersyn Exner is not only one of the most talented players in program history, but also one of the most respected,” he said. “Her legacy of excellence, leadership, and heart will continue to inspire Titan Softball for years to come. It has been a true honor to have the opportunity to coach her these past 4 years.”
