Beatrice, NE -- Nebraska softball announced on Wednesday that Southeast Community College catcher Reyse Zobel signed with the Huskers as a mid-year transfer.

When Zobel got the call, she didn't believe it.

"I didn't think it was real," Zobel said. "Coach Gary [Lytle] had to pinch me, because I just didn't feel like it was real, because it's been my dream."

In her freshman year at SCC, Zobel started 38 games behind the plate and averaged .451 batting with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. The Bobcats saw some success in the postseason with Zobel behind the plate, and Zobel was named the Region 9 Catcher of the Year. In December, she'll graduate with her Associate of Arts in Business degree as well as her real estate license.

"We will certainly miss Reyse this spring," Lytle said. "She has the ability to change the game both offensively and defensively, and her presence will be missed throughout our program. At the same time, opportunities like this are what make college athletics so special. We are excited to see her chase her goals and represent the Huskers at the next level."

She won two state titles in high school at Grand Island Northwest, and was on the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star All-State First Teams in 2023 and 2024.

Nebraska was always in Zobel's periphery. She attended a softball camp at Nebraska after her eighth grade year, and her great grandfather gave her family a Nebraska bomber jacket when she was younger, and the family didn't think much of it at the time. 

"Everyone wanted me to end up there, and we never really thought anything about it," Zobel said. "So then we kind of just put the bomber jacket away. The second this all happened, we got the bomber jacket out and we knew this all happened for a reason."

Zobel won't be eligible in the 2027 season, but she dons the scarlet and cream with three years of eligibility left, and plans to pursue nutrition and exercise science at the university.

"Reyse has been a hard worker from day one, and she has continually put in the work to prepare herself for this opportunity," Head Coach Gary Lytle said. "We are incredibly proud of her and excited to watch her continue to grow and develop as she begins this next chapter with the Huskers. We wish Reyse nothing but the best as she begins this exciting new journey. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat, and we'll cheer for her every step of the way!"