Nebraska in the regular season
The University Nebraska’s volleyball team currently has the sixth undefeated regular season in Big Ten history. Despite the team playing offensive forward teams that threaten their underdeveloped defense, the game is typically an easy sweep.
Their limited defense is due to the loss of a long reign of strong and accurate liberos, like Lexi Rodriguez (2021-2024) and Justine Wong-Orantes (2013-2016). Nebraska must lean on sophomore Olivia Mauch (10) or junior Laney Choboy (6). While one plays libero, the other substitutes in as a defensive specialist for the right-side hitter in the backrow.
True freshman Teraya Sigler (11) contributes to Husker defense as outside hitter Taylor Landfair’s (12) backrow substitution. However, the lineup is likely to train Sigler to be a six-rotation outside once Nebraska loses their strongest six-rotation pin hitter, Harper Murray (27).
Along with defense, Nebraska defeats undersized teams by overwhelming opposing hitters and leaving no open court for them to swing to, through holding a strong block and by never having someone in the front row under six feet. Consequently, undersized hitters tend to leave matches against Nebraska frustrated and humiliated.
During the season opening game of Nebraska vs. Pittsburgh, Nebraska easily dismantled American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2024 Player of the Year Olivia Babcock, who typically demolishes any open area of the court by flying above the block with her impressive height and vertical.
Another reason for the Huskers’ offensive success is their out-of-system attack efficiency.
When someone other than six-rotation setter Bergen Reilly or backup setter Campbell Flynn takes the second contact, offense still thrives. This is due to a mindset change implemented by head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. Instead of relying on comfortable attacks, Busboom Kelly encourages her players to reach outside of their comfort zones and try new shots.
“Our attackers are doing a great job of recycling plays,” Busboom Kelly said to Lincoln Arneal for Nebraska Cornhuskers on SI. “They’re keeping the ball in play when they can’t take a swing, and when they do have a great set, they rip it. They’re making great decisions.”
Pin hitters like Murray, Landfair and new addition Virginia Adriano (9), who transferred from Turin, Italy run the offense. They are occasionally aided by senior transfer Allie Sczech (3). It is typically the job of the pin hitters to put away any in-system balls that come their way, and Nebraska fulfills this in all aspects.
These four, along with a backrow attacker (typically Murray or Sigler) help the team terminate balls at a .350 hitting percentage for the regular season— a higher rate than ever before for the Huskers.
Additionally strengthening offense, middle blockers Andi Jackson (15) and Rebekah Allick (5) continue their consistent and fast-tempo offense, hitting at a respective .561 and .429 percentage. They are both among the top 15 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in individual women’s hitting percentage. The system the middle blockers run is essential to the team’s offensive and defensive success.
Nebraska is a challenge to play against because they do not lean on a single player, and instead spread out their offense across the net, dominating the court on another level. If the Huskers face an injury like the one that injured Louisville outside hitter Anna DeBeer during the 2024 semifinals, a key part of their offense will not be lost.
Reilly is also a vital factor for the team’s success. With a newfound confidence in her junior season, she commands the team’s offense and highlights her hitters’ strengths.
On paper, Nebraska is hitting the best out of the whole NCAA. When each player on the team focuses on their individual improvement, the quality of the team as a whole is enhanced.
Fans also joke that Nebraska volleyball is so impenetrable because every day at practice, Nebraska plays the #2 team in the country, their own bench.
Despite their dominance, the Huskers and Busboom Kelly also agree that the 2024-2025 season is a transition year to accustom the new freshman with the court. It is not irregular for Nebraska to have a dominant regular season ranking. Every year since 2021, Nebraska has landed in the top 5 in regular season standings.
Unfortunately for the Huskers, falling during bracket play is also typical.
Teams that challenge Nebraska with players to look out for
It is unfair to refer to former Purdue University outsides Eva Hudson (7) and Chloe Chicoine (7) as underdogs, with Hudson playing for University of Kentucky and Chicoine playing for The University of Louisville, their talents are split this season. Despite this, both pose threats to ending Nebraska in the playoffs due to the sheer power and versatility they possess.
Standout true freshman Kalyssa Blackshear (24) is well-rounded on the court. Standing at 6’5”, Blackshear earned Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) weekly honors three times as an opposite hitter for the 2025 season.
Louisville has put up some of the best statistics in the ACC, with middle blocker Cara Cresse (13), outside hitter Peyton Petersen (21), setter Nayelis Cabello (8), Blackshear and Chicoine, Nebraska must be hazardous of the Cardinals.
Additionally, the Kentucky volleyball team has outside hitters Brooklyn DeLeye (17) and Asia Thigpen (20) who will aid the team while playing the Huskers. The scrappy team has hustle and grit, performing well under pressure.
The looming threat of Nebraska leads players like The University of Wisconsin’s outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) to command their team, guiding them while other opponents’ pin hitters seemingly stab in the dark trying to hit against Nebraska.
Wisconsin fell to the Huskers earlier in the season due to an underdeveloped defense and the loss of setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) to a shoulder injury. She has recovered for playoffs, so the team’s connection will help them run complex plays to avoid the Nebraska block and disrupt offense.
Colyer, along with teammates Una Vajagic (1) and Carter Booth (52) are the biggest threats to disrupting Nebraska’s system. By having a strong front-row and a consistent setter, Wisconsin offense clicks together naturally.
The University of Minnesota’s McKenna Garr (5) competes and thrives at the highest level for a freshman libero, while outside Julia Hanson (22) keeps offensive and service pressure strong against competitors.
The Gophers thrive in the Big Ten, the toughest volleyball conference. Due to a resilient coaching policy and consistent defense, the Gophers are prepared for what challenges await them in the playoffs.
NCAA tournament underdogs California Polytechnic University entered the tournament with a 25-7 record. With their first and second round upsets, the Mustangs exhausted every perfect bracket in the ESPN bracket challenge, leaving Cal Poly as the only unranked team remaining in the bracket. The postseason is a new opportunity for every team, and Cal Poly is proof of that.
Aggie Logan Lednicky (9) from Texas A&M University inherits her talent from her legacy athlete parents, using her deep-rooted love for the University to advance her athletic skill. Along with Lednicky is Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (1), an elite middle blocker who shuts down teams at the net. The team chemistry prepares the team to play in the sweet 16, where they face Louisville.
The University of Texas (UT) was back-to-back national champions in 2022 and 2023 because of their exceptional serving and attacking. Now that the elite program has lost key outside hitters Madisen Skinner (2022-2024) and Jenna Wenaas (2023-2024) it is junior University of Pittsburgh transfer Torrey Stafford’s (4) time to shine.
Stafford, along with junior setter Ella Swindle (1) and senior libero Emma Halter (2) are extremely well-coached. UT coach Jerritt Elliott can be credited for the team’s all-around success, as he built the powerhouse program. As a coach, Elliott brings experience to focus on player development and a strong team culture.
Creighton University’s Ava Martin (8) is given credit for her talent but not talked about enough as an influence in a match. With explosive offensive potential, she has impacted the Creighton volleyball program more than any other player before. She will guide the Bluejays to victory against Arizona State University in bracket play.
Challenges on each side of the net
These players will lead their teams against the formidable Nebraska. By finding the weak points in Nebraska’s defense during playoffs, teams can shut down Nebraska’s dominant middles by challenging their defense, eliminating strain on the blockers facing the Huskers.
The last time Nebraska played a volleyball game to five sets was against Creighton on September 16. Since then, Nebraska has dominated the court, only losing one set to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It will not be a surprise if Nebraska has forgotten how to recover when they are broken down and face defeat.
In order to beat Nebraska, players must additionally capitalize on the few mistakes the Huskers do make. Errors like inconsistent serve receive and giving away momentum keep the Huskers struggling against opponents. Throwing off previously established momentum can assist underdog teams in putting the Huskers in jeopardy.
With a larger fanbase than ever, the playing environment is intimidating and scary, and players must overcome the mental block that comes before any physical block. Challenging teams must be prepared for the threatening atmosphere that faces them.
Nebraska’s hitting system is still a work in progress but is bound to be successful in the playoffs and the next seasons. Challenging teams can utilize the weak points of the Huskers and challenge their undefeated reign.
Stay updated with the division 1 NCAA volleyball bracket here.
