MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A season filled with milestones and record-book climbs culminated in postseason recognition for Milwaukee Area Technical College sophomore Kayleah Laughlin, as the second-year outside hitter earned NJCAA Division II Region 4 All-Region Second Team honors following an outstanding 2026 campaign.

The prestigious honor marks the first all-region selection of Laughlin's career and caps a two-year stretch in which she established herself as one of the most accomplished players in Stormers history. The Tama, Iowa, native once again eclipsed the 300-kill mark in her final season with MATC this past fall, finishing with 330 kills while serving as one of the focal points of the Stormers' offensive attack.

"Kayleah was a huge part of our offense this season," head coach Shel DeLisle said. "Her recognition is well deserved, not just for her play, but also for her leadership. She is hard to miss and hard to defend on the court and a great teammate off the court. She, and the other sophomores, will be sorely missed next season."

While the all-region honor represents a significant milestone in her volleyball career, Laughlin said her greatest takeaway from her time at MATC has been the personal growth and relationships she gained along the way. 

"I'm proud not only to receive this award but also to recognize the personal growth I've experienced during my time in this program," Laughlin said. "Coach Shel has pushed me to become not only a better athlete but also a better human being. She has taught me lifelong lessons and created an environment where I can fail without fear of judgment or criticism. The overwhelming support of my family reflects the passion I have for the game, and I would not be anywhere near where I am today without them."

Standing 6 feet tall, Laughlin's combination of raw power, athleticism and versatility made her one of the region's most difficult matchups at the net. Whether attacking above defenders, contributing on the defensive end or providing a steady veteran presence for a youthful roster, she played a pivotal role in helping the Stormers finish 18-16 and reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive season.

When it was all said and done, Laughlin had cemented her place among the elite players to wear an MATC uniform. She concluded her two-year career ranked second in program history in kills (639), trailing only Paige Siehr's school-record 669 set across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. She also finished third all-time in points (823.0), sixth in blocks (111.5), eighth in service aces (99) and ninth in digs (489), showcasing her impact in multiple phases of the game.

Laughlin's name is woven even deeper into the MATC record book. Beyond her place among the program's career leaders, she holds multiple top-10 single-season and per-set marks. She owns two of the five highest single-season kill totals in school history, recording 330 kills in 2026 and 309 in 2025. She also ranks fifth and sixth all-time in single-season points, sixth in single-season blocks and sixth in points per set, while her 2.74 kills-per-set average in 2026 stands as the third-best single-season mark in school history.

Beyond the accolades and statistics, Laughlin's legacy extends far beyond the win-loss column. During her two years in Milwaukee, she developed into one of the most productive and complete players the program has ever seen, leaving a lasting mark on MATC volleyball through her performance, leadership and consistency in the classroom.

Her all-region selection serves as fitting recognition for a student-athlete whose excellence on and off the court secured her place among the most accomplished players in Stormers history.

Laughlin's Place in the MATC Record Book
All-Time Career Rankings

• No. 2 all-time in kills (639)
• No. 3 all-time in points (823.0)
• No. 6 all-time in blocks (111.5)
• No. 8 all-time in service aces (99)
• No. 9 all-time in digs (489)

Single-Season Rankings

• No. 4 all-time in kills (330 in 2026)
• No. 5 all-time in kills (309 in 2025)
• No. 5 all-time in points (412.0 in 2025)
• No. 6 all-time in points (411.5 in 2026)
• No. 6 all-time in blocks (75.0 in 2025)
• No. 6 all-time in points per set (3.50 in 2026)

Per-Set Rankings

• No. 3 all-time in kills per set (2.74 in 2026)
• No. 8 all-time in kills per set (2.27 in 2025)

Full 2026 NJCAA Division II All-Region 4 Team Below:

Region 4 District A Coach of the Year: Kristy Pierce, Rock Valley College.
Region 4 District A Player of the Year: Sofia Medina, Rock Valley College
Region 4 District B Coach of the Year: Jay Howell, Sauk Valley Community College.
Region 4 District B Player of the Year: Allie Andrews, Madison College

First Team: Allie Andrews (Madison), Valencia Carrera (Morton), Ashley Collins (Waubonsee), Jocelyn Erling (Harper), Elena Gregotti (Rock Valley), Adrianna Larsen (Waubonsee), Sofia Medina (Rock Valley), Willow Milknit (McHenry), Madison Mitchell (McHenry), Rhema Pace (Rock Valley), Sonia Prekducaj (Rock Valley), Sawyer Secrist (Sauk Valley), Ella Vosberg (Madison) and Kailee Williams (Sauk Valley).

Second Team: Hailie Barton (Elgin), Rylee Bode (Lake County), Ava Currie (Illinois Valley), Makayla Dallas (Madison), Iva Jevtic (Morton), Kayleah Laughlin (Milwaukee), Nadia Nowak (Oakton), Marija Radovic (Morton), Grace Remsen (Waubonsee), Sam Schultz (Madison), Rebecca Sherman (Bryant & Stratton), Sophia Swiderski (Morton), Madyson Tichler (Sauk Valley) and Josie Wiegand (Black Hawk).

Honorable Mention: Rebecca Alberti (Kankakee), Aimee Cuipeiu (Elgin), Ana Kadolph (Harper), Madison Shaffer (Sauk Valley), Lana Walker (Highland) and Peyton Wurtz (Elgin).
NJCAA All-America nominees: Allie Andrews (Madison), Valencia Carrera (Morton), Sofia Medina (Rock Valley), Rhema Pace (Rock Valley), Ella Vosberg (Madison) and Kailee Williams (Sauk Valley).