Huskers Set for NCAA Tournament Opener
Dec 5, 2024 / NU Athletics
MATCH PREVIEW
• The Nebraska volleyball team was selected as the No. 2 overall seed for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and will host the first and second rounds at the Bob Devaney Sports Center this Friday and Saturday.
• The Huskers, making their 43rd straight NCAA Tournament appearance and hosting the first round for the 39th time, will open the tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. against Florida A&M (27-6), champions of the SWAC. The 4:30 p.m. match will feature Miami (21-10) of the ACC and South Dakota State (27-2) of the Summit League. Friday’s winners will meet in the second round on Saturday at 7 p.m.
• All first and second round matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast the Nebraska matches on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App.
• The Nebraska volleyball team was selected as the No. 2 overall seed for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and will host the first and second rounds at the Bob Devaney Sports Center this Friday and Saturday.
• The Huskers, making their 43rd straight NCAA Tournament appearance and hosting the first round for the 39th time, will open the tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. against Florida A&M (27-6), champions of the SWAC. The 4:30 p.m. match will feature Miami (21-10) of the ACC and South Dakota State (27-2) of the Summit League. Friday’s winners will meet in the second round on Saturday at 7 p.m.
• All first and second round matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast the Nebraska matches on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App.
ABOUT THE HUSKERS
• Nebraska (29-2) won its 36th all-time conference title and fifth Big Ten title with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play. The Huskers went back-to-back as Big Ten champions for the second time, also accomplishing that feat in 2016 and 2017.
• The Huskers’ 29 regular-season wins tied the 1983 school record for most wins in a regular season in the NCAA era.
• Nebraska won 25 matches in a row after a Sept. 3 loss at SMU. Of those 25 wins, 20 were sweeps. NU’s win streak ended on Nov. 29 in a 3-1 loss at No. 4 Penn State.
• Nebraska is 7-1 against top-10 teams this season, which is the most top-10 wins in a regular season in school history.
• Nebraska is 11-1 against ranked foes this season.
• After the Sept. 3 loss at SMU, Nebraska won 27 straight sets on the road until the Nov. 29 loss at No. 4 Penn State.
• The Huskers rank 11th nationally and second in the Big Ten with a team hitting percentage of .288.
• The Huskers rank eighth nationally and first in the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage at .148. NU led the nation in opponent hitting percentage in 2022 and 2023.
• Nebraska ranks 11th nationally in kills per set (14.20).
• Nebraska (29-2) won its 36th all-time conference title and fifth Big Ten title with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play. The Huskers went back-to-back as Big Ten champions for the second time, also accomplishing that feat in 2016 and 2017.
• The Huskers’ 29 regular-season wins tied the 1983 school record for most wins in a regular season in the NCAA era.
• Nebraska won 25 matches in a row after a Sept. 3 loss at SMU. Of those 25 wins, 20 were sweeps. NU’s win streak ended on Nov. 29 in a 3-1 loss at No. 4 Penn State.
• Nebraska is 7-1 against top-10 teams this season, which is the most top-10 wins in a regular season in school history.
• Nebraska is 11-1 against ranked foes this season.
• After the Sept. 3 loss at SMU, Nebraska won 27 straight sets on the road until the Nov. 29 loss at No. 4 Penn State.
• The Huskers rank 11th nationally and second in the Big Ten with a team hitting percentage of .288.
• The Huskers rank eighth nationally and first in the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage at .148. NU led the nation in opponent hitting percentage in 2022 and 2023.
• Nebraska ranks 11th nationally in kills per set (14.20).
NEBRASKA’S NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES
• Nebraska is making its 43rd NCAA Tournament appearance. The Huskers rank second all-time in NCAA Tournament appearances and in consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (43).
• Nebraska is 130-37 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers rank second in NCAA history in postseason wins and winning percentage (.780).
• NU has won its last 36 first-round matches dating back to 1984.
• Nebraska has won 22 consecutive home NCAA Tournament matches dating back to 2013, tied for the longest postseason home win streak in program history set from 1995 to 2002.
• Overall, Nebraska has won 41 consecutive home matches dating back to Dec. 1, 2022. The Huskers own the nation’s longest home winning streak, and the streak is the longest since Nebraska moved into the Devaney Center in 2013.
• John Cook is 89-20 in the NCAA Tournament as Nebraska’s head coach, and he is 97-25 overall in his career. Only Russ Rose (106) has more career postseason wins.
• The Huskers have reached six of the last nine NCAA Semifinals, including winning NCAA Championships in 2015 and 2017. Nebraska also won national titles in 1995, 2000 and 2006.
• This year’s NCAA Championship is set for December 19-22 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., where the Huskers already have won two times this season against No. 9 Kentucky on Aug. 27 and No. 4 Louisville on Sept. 22.
• Nebraska is making its 43rd NCAA Tournament appearance. The Huskers rank second all-time in NCAA Tournament appearances and in consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (43).
• Nebraska is 130-37 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers rank second in NCAA history in postseason wins and winning percentage (.780).
• NU has won its last 36 first-round matches dating back to 1984.
• Nebraska has won 22 consecutive home NCAA Tournament matches dating back to 2013, tied for the longest postseason home win streak in program history set from 1995 to 2002.
• Overall, Nebraska has won 41 consecutive home matches dating back to Dec. 1, 2022. The Huskers own the nation’s longest home winning streak, and the streak is the longest since Nebraska moved into the Devaney Center in 2013.
• John Cook is 89-20 in the NCAA Tournament as Nebraska’s head coach, and he is 97-25 overall in his career. Only Russ Rose (106) has more career postseason wins.
• The Huskers have reached six of the last nine NCAA Semifinals, including winning NCAA Championships in 2015 and 2017. Nebraska also won national titles in 1995, 2000 and 2006.
• This year’s NCAA Championship is set for December 19-22 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., where the Huskers already have won two times this season against No. 9 Kentucky on Aug. 27 and No. 4 Louisville on Sept. 22.
ROTATION RUNDOWN
• Outside hitter Harper Murray is the team leader in kills at 3.28 per set, and also in aces with 30. One of the top six-rotation players in the Big Ten, Murray adds 2.28 digs per set.
• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is second on the team in kills at 2.99 per set, and the two-year captain also contributes 1.24 digs per set and 25 aces.
• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.58 kills per set with a .442 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation and first among Big Ten players.
• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 1.78 kills per set on .346 hitting with 1.38 blocks per set. Allick has moved into the top 10 in school history in career blocks at No. 8 with 387.
• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 11.12 assists per set, which ranks eighth in the nation and leads all Big Ten players. She also adds 2.89 digs per set and has 20 aces. Reilly has 15 double-doubles and was named Big Ten Setter of the Year for the second straight year.
• The 2024 Big Ten Libero of the Year, Lexi Rodriguez leads the Husker back row with 3.80 digs per set. Rodriguez ranks No. 2 in school history in career digs with 1,819, needing to get to 1,891 for the career record.
SCOUTING REPORT: FLORIDA A&M
• Florida A&M (27-6, 16-0 SWAC) won the SWAC Tournament for the third time in four years to qualify for its 13th all-time NCAA Tournament. The Rattlers were in the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Tournaments, falling at Florida in the first round both years.
• Brooke Lynn Watts is the team leader in kills with 3.65 per set, and she has a team-high 37 service aces. Iyonnie Sanford contributes 2.66 kills per set.
• The Rattlers rank sixth in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.142) and fifth in aces per set (2.11).
• Outside hitter Harper Murray is the team leader in kills at 3.28 per set, and also in aces with 30. One of the top six-rotation players in the Big Ten, Murray adds 2.28 digs per set.
• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is second on the team in kills at 2.99 per set, and the two-year captain also contributes 1.24 digs per set and 25 aces.
• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.58 kills per set with a .442 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation and first among Big Ten players.
• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 1.78 kills per set on .346 hitting with 1.38 blocks per set. Allick has moved into the top 10 in school history in career blocks at No. 8 with 387.
• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 11.12 assists per set, which ranks eighth in the nation and leads all Big Ten players. She also adds 2.89 digs per set and has 20 aces. Reilly has 15 double-doubles and was named Big Ten Setter of the Year for the second straight year.
• The 2024 Big Ten Libero of the Year, Lexi Rodriguez leads the Husker back row with 3.80 digs per set. Rodriguez ranks No. 2 in school history in career digs with 1,819, needing to get to 1,891 for the career record.
SCOUTING REPORT: FLORIDA A&M
• Florida A&M (27-6, 16-0 SWAC) won the SWAC Tournament for the third time in four years to qualify for its 13th all-time NCAA Tournament. The Rattlers were in the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Tournaments, falling at Florida in the first round both years.
• Brooke Lynn Watts is the team leader in kills with 3.65 per set, and she has a team-high 37 service aces. Iyonnie Sanford contributes 2.66 kills per set.
• The Rattlers rank sixth in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.142) and fifth in aces per set (2.11).
SCOUTING REPORT: MIAMI
• Miami (21-10, 12-8 ACC) secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row. Miami advanced to the second round last year before falling to Wisconsin.
• The Hurricanes were in Lincoln for the NCAA First Round in 2022, falling to Kansas 3-0.
• Miami’s résumé includes high-profile five-set wins this season at then-No. 1 Texas on Sept. 7 and against No. 5 Stanford on Nov. 1.
• Flormarie Heredia Colon ranks second in the ACC and 35th in the nation with 4.30 kills per set. Grace Lopez adds 3.54 kills per set.
• Miami (21-10, 12-8 ACC) secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row. Miami advanced to the second round last year before falling to Wisconsin.
• The Hurricanes were in Lincoln for the NCAA First Round in 2022, falling to Kansas 3-0.
• Miami’s résumé includes high-profile five-set wins this season at then-No. 1 Texas on Sept. 7 and against No. 5 Stanford on Nov. 1.
• Flormarie Heredia Colon ranks second in the ACC and 35th in the nation with 4.30 kills per set. Grace Lopez adds 3.54 kills per set.
SCOUTING REPORT: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
• South Dakota State (27-2, 15-1 Summit League) earned an at-large bid after winning the Summit League regular-season title. This will be the Jackrabbits’ second NCAA Tournament appearance in the Division I era and first since 2007.
• Sylvie Zgonc, the Summit League Player of the Year, leads the Jacks with 4.41 kills per set, which ranks 25th nationally. Sydni Schetnan adds 2.50 kills per set and 1.28 blocks per set.
• South Dakota State ranks 10th nationally in blocks per set with 2.77. The Jackrabbits are strong defensively with an opponent hitting percentage of .160, which ranks 15th in the country.
• South Dakota State (27-2, 15-1 Summit League) earned an at-large bid after winning the Summit League regular-season title. This will be the Jackrabbits’ second NCAA Tournament appearance in the Division I era and first since 2007.
• Sylvie Zgonc, the Summit League Player of the Year, leads the Jacks with 4.41 kills per set, which ranks 25th nationally. Sydni Schetnan adds 2.50 kills per set and 1.28 blocks per set.
• South Dakota State ranks 10th nationally in blocks per set with 2.77. The Jackrabbits are strong defensively with an opponent hitting percentage of .160, which ranks 15th in the country.
SERIES HISTORY
• Nebraska is 0-1 against Florida A&M. The lone match was Sept. 10, 2004 at the NU Coliseum. The Rattlers won 3-1 (30-25, 16-30, 30-28, 30-28).
• Nebraska is 1-0 against Miami. The Huskers won 30-18, 30-17, 30-22 on Dec. 13, 2002 in an NCAA Regional Semifinal at the NU Coliseum.
• Nebraska is 2-0 all-time against South Dakota State, winning 3-0 in 1975 and 2007. The latter was an NCAA First Round match at the NU Coliseum.
• Nebraska is 0-1 against Florida A&M. The lone match was Sept. 10, 2004 at the NU Coliseum. The Rattlers won 3-1 (30-25, 16-30, 30-28, 30-28).
• Nebraska is 1-0 against Miami. The Huskers won 30-18, 30-17, 30-22 on Dec. 13, 2002 in an NCAA Regional Semifinal at the NU Coliseum.
• Nebraska is 2-0 all-time against South Dakota State, winning 3-0 in 1975 and 2007. The latter was an NCAA First Round match at the NU Coliseum.
SERVE AND PASS
• Nebraska has allowed just 65 service aces this season, which leads the nation. The next closest teams are Creighton with 74 and Pittsburgh with 81.
• NU allowed 77 aces in the 2022 season and 80 aces in 2017. Last season, the Huskers were aced 104 times.
• The Huskers have served 130 aces and committed 169 errors so far this season. The ace-to-error ratio of 0.77 is NU’s best in a full season since 2017 (0.78).
• Nebraska is on pace to record its fewest service errors in a full season since 2011 (161).
• Nebraska has allowed just 65 service aces this season, which leads the nation. The next closest teams are Creighton with 74 and Pittsburgh with 81.
• NU allowed 77 aces in the 2022 season and 80 aces in 2017. Last season, the Huskers were aced 104 times.
• The Huskers have served 130 aces and committed 169 errors so far this season. The ace-to-error ratio of 0.77 is NU’s best in a full season since 2017 (0.78).
• Nebraska is on pace to record its fewest service errors in a full season since 2011 (161).
BALANCED ATTACK
• Nebraska has seven different players averaging between 1.78 and 3.28 kills per set.
• Six different players have led the Huskers in kills in a match this season.
• Setter Bergen Reilly ranks eighth nationally averaging 11.12 assists per set.
• Nebraska’s attack has been one of the best in the nation this season. The Huskers rank 11th in hitting percentage (.288) and 11th in kills per set (14.20).
• Nebraska has seven different players averaging between 1.78 and 3.28 kills per set.
• Six different players have led the Huskers in kills in a match this season.
• Setter Bergen Reilly ranks eighth nationally averaging 11.12 assists per set.
• Nebraska’s attack has been one of the best in the nation this season. The Huskers rank 11th in hitting percentage (.288) and 11th in kills per set (14.20).
HOME SWEET HOME
• Nebraska has won 41 home matches in a row dating back to Dec. 1, 2022, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
• The Huskers’ home win streak is its longest since moving into the Devaney Center in 2013.
• Nebraska’s longest all-time home win streak was 88 matches from 2004-09.
• Nebraska has won 41 home matches in a row dating back to Dec. 1, 2022, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
• The Huskers’ home win streak is its longest since moving into the Devaney Center in 2013.
• Nebraska’s longest all-time home win streak was 88 matches from 2004-09.
RODRIGUEZ IN RARE COMPANY
• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in Nebraska volleyball history as one of the all-time greats.
• Rodriguez has 1,819 career digs entering Friday’s match, which ranks No. 2 in school history. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in digs at NU with 1,890.
• Rodriguez was named Big Ten Libero of the Year this season, the third conference defensive player of the year award in her career, making her the second player in Big Ten history to accomplish that feat (Paula Gentil, Minnesota, 2002-04).
• An All-Big Ten First Team selection each year of her career, Rodriguez is the fifth Husker in school history to be named first-team all-conference four times in a career, joining Greichaly Cepero (1999-2002), Sarah Pavan (2004-07), Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Lauren Stivrins (2018-21).
• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.
• This season, Rodriguez leads the Huskers with 3.80 digs per set and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, giving her seven career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in Nebraska volleyball history as one of the all-time greats.
• Rodriguez has 1,819 career digs entering Friday’s match, which ranks No. 2 in school history. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in digs at NU with 1,890.
• Rodriguez was named Big Ten Libero of the Year this season, the third conference defensive player of the year award in her career, making her the second player in Big Ten history to accomplish that feat (Paula Gentil, Minnesota, 2002-04).
• An All-Big Ten First Team selection each year of her career, Rodriguez is the fifth Husker in school history to be named first-team all-conference four times in a career, joining Greichaly Cepero (1999-2002), Sarah Pavan (2004-07), Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Lauren Stivrins (2018-21).
• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.
• This season, Rodriguez leads the Huskers with 3.80 digs per set and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, giving her seven career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
BEASON LEADING HUSKERS ON AND OFF THE COURT
• For the second straight year since coming to Nebraska, Merritt Beason was an All-Big Ten First Team selection. The opposite hitter is second on the team in kills at 2.99 per set, and she also contributes 1.24 digs per set and 25 aces.
• A two-year team captain, Beason put together a sensational season in 2023 - her first as a Husker after transferring from Florida - earning AVCA All-America First Team honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.
• Beason posted 22 kills, eight digs and three blocks in a 3-2 win over No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11.
• She also had 19 kills and hit .471 with a career-high 10 blocks in a Big Ten title-clinching win at Maryland on Nov. 30.
• For the second straight year since coming to Nebraska, Merritt Beason was an All-Big Ten First Team selection. The opposite hitter is second on the team in kills at 2.99 per set, and she also contributes 1.24 digs per set and 25 aces.
• A two-year team captain, Beason put together a sensational season in 2023 - her first as a Husker after transferring from Florida - earning AVCA All-America First Team honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.
• Beason posted 22 kills, eight digs and three blocks in a 3-2 win over No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11.
• She also had 19 kills and hit .471 with a career-high 10 blocks in a Big Ten title-clinching win at Maryland on Nov. 30.
VERSATILE MURRAY LEADS THE ATTACK
• Harper Murray earned All-Big Ten First team accolades for the second straight year. Murray is the team leader in kills with 3.28 per set and adds 2.27 digs per set and 30 aces, the most on the team.
• The sophomore outside hitter had 20 kills and hit .302 with six digs and three blocks in an Aug. 31 win over TCU.
• She was also clutch with 17 kills in a 3-2 win against No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11, and 16 kills and 14 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 9 Creighton on Sept. 10.
• Murray finished her 2023 freshman campaign with 3.23 kills per set, the highest kills per set average by a Husker freshman since Kadie Rolfzen (3.46) in 2013. She earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-America Third Team honors.
• Harper Murray earned All-Big Ten First team accolades for the second straight year. Murray is the team leader in kills with 3.28 per set and adds 2.27 digs per set and 30 aces, the most on the team.
• The sophomore outside hitter had 20 kills and hit .302 with six digs and three blocks in an Aug. 31 win over TCU.
• She was also clutch with 17 kills in a 3-2 win against No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11, and 16 kills and 14 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 9 Creighton on Sept. 10.
• Murray finished her 2023 freshman campaign with 3.23 kills per set, the highest kills per set average by a Husker freshman since Kadie Rolfzen (3.46) in 2013. She earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-America Third Team honors.
REILLY SETS THE TONE
• Bergen Reilly is the only player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year in both her freshman and sophomore seasons after winning the award again this year. She was also on the All-Big Ten First Team both years and was an AVCA second-team All-American in 2023.
• The sophomore collected five Big Ten Setter of the Week honors this season, which set a school record, and she was also named Best Setter at the season-opening AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville, Ky.
• Reilly leads the Big Ten and ranks eighth nationally in assists per set with 11.12, and she adds 2.89 digs per set and has 20 aces. She has 15 double-doubles on the season.
• Reilly set the Huskers to a .288 season hitting percentage, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally.
• She had a career-high 60 assists to go with 17 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11.
• Bergen Reilly is the only player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year in both her freshman and sophomore seasons after winning the award again this year. She was also on the All-Big Ten First Team both years and was an AVCA second-team All-American in 2023.
• The sophomore collected five Big Ten Setter of the Week honors this season, which set a school record, and she was also named Best Setter at the season-opening AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville, Ky.
• Reilly leads the Big Ten and ranks eighth nationally in assists per set with 11.12, and she adds 2.89 digs per set and has 20 aces. She has 15 double-doubles on the season.
• Reilly set the Huskers to a .288 season hitting percentage, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally.
• She had a career-high 60 assists to go with 17 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 10 Purdue on Oct. 11.
JACKSON IN ACTION
• Andi Jackson was unanimously named to the All-Big Ten First Team for the first time in her career after an outstanding sophomore campaign for the Huskers.
• The middle blocker has elevated her game to new heights in 2024, averaging 2.58 kills per set with a .442 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation and first among Big Ten players. Her hitting percentage also ranks third in school history.
• Jackson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 after 11 kills and six blocks against Illinois and 10 kills and five blocks against Michigan.
• In the final two matches of the regular season, Jackson tied her career high with eight blocks in each match.
• Jackson showed enormous athleticism and potential the first time she stepped on the floor as a Husker, and she followed through with a strong debut season that included AVCA All-Region, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
• Andi Jackson was unanimously named to the All-Big Ten First Team for the first time in her career after an outstanding sophomore campaign for the Huskers.
• The middle blocker has elevated her game to new heights in 2024, averaging 2.58 kills per set with a .442 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation and first among Big Ten players. Her hitting percentage also ranks third in school history.
• Jackson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 after 11 kills and six blocks against Illinois and 10 kills and five blocks against Michigan.
• In the final two matches of the regular season, Jackson tied her career high with eight blocks in each match.
• Jackson showed enormous athleticism and potential the first time she stepped on the floor as a Husker, and she followed through with a strong debut season that included AVCA All-Region, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
ALLICK BRINGS THE BLOCK
• Junior middle blocker Rebekah Allick is putting up 1.38 blocks per set so far this season. Offensively, she has provided 1.78 kills per set on .346 hitting.
• Allick’s career 1.30 blocks per set ranks No. 3 in school history in the rally scoring era.
• Allick has 387 career blocks entering Friday’s match, which ranks eighth in school history. She needs three to pass Brooke Delano for seventh and six to pass Callie Schwarzenbach for sixth all-time at NU.
• In the season-opening victory over Kentucky, Allick had 11 kills and hit .667 while tying her career high with 12 blocks. Her performance earned her Best Middle Blocker and Most Valuable Player honors at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in the first three matches of the season, which earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
• Allick was again named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 7 after 2.00 blocks per set in sweeps at Illinois and vs. Iowa.
• Allick is a two-time AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten Second Team pick. Last season, she averaged 1.76 kills per set with a team-high 1.50 blocks per set, which ranked second among Big Ten players and seven in the nation. Her 1.50 blocks per set was also the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.
• Allick was at her best at the end of the 2023 season, registering a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas and 10 blocks in the NCAA semifinal sweep of Pittsburgh.
• Junior middle blocker Rebekah Allick is putting up 1.38 blocks per set so far this season. Offensively, she has provided 1.78 kills per set on .346 hitting.
• Allick’s career 1.30 blocks per set ranks No. 3 in school history in the rally scoring era.
• Allick has 387 career blocks entering Friday’s match, which ranks eighth in school history. She needs three to pass Brooke Delano for seventh and six to pass Callie Schwarzenbach for sixth all-time at NU.
• In the season-opening victory over Kentucky, Allick had 11 kills and hit .667 while tying her career high with 12 blocks. Her performance earned her Best Middle Blocker and Most Valuable Player honors at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in the first three matches of the season, which earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
• Allick was again named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 7 after 2.00 blocks per set in sweeps at Illinois and vs. Iowa.
• Allick is a two-time AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten Second Team pick. Last season, she averaged 1.76 kills per set with a team-high 1.50 blocks per set, which ranked second among Big Ten players and seven in the nation. Her 1.50 blocks per set was also the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.
• Allick was at her best at the end of the 2023 season, registering a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas and 10 blocks in the NCAA semifinal sweep of Pittsburgh.
FRONT ROW DEPTH
• Front row depth is one of the strengths for the 2024 Nebraska volleyball team.
• While middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick have started most of the matches at that position, Leyla Blackwell, a transfer from San Diego, has played in 12 matches and made four starts and is putting up 2.33 kills per set on a .435 hitting percentage with 1.29 blocks per set.
• Blackwell had nine kills and seven blocks and hit .600 earning the start on Oct. 12 vs. Rutgers. She also had seven kills and three blocks and hit .429 while stepping in for a sidelined Andi Jackson at Illinois on Oct. 3.
• On the pin, Taylor Landfair has started 19 matches and Lindsay Krause has started 12 matches.
• Landfair, a senior transfer from Minnesota, is averaging 2.48 kills per set and had 13 kills in the 3-0 win at Wisconsin on Nov. 1, which tied her season high. She also had 13 kills against UCLA on Sept. 27 and at Oregon on Nov. 7.
• In her senior season, Krause is averaging 2.37 kills per set and has 15 service aces.
• Krause was instrumental in Nebraska’s 3-2 win over No. 9 Creighton on Sept. 10 with a team-high 17 kills, five blocks and six digs. She also had 13 kills in a win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Aug. 30 and nine kills in a sweep of Stanford on Sept. 18.
• Front row depth is one of the strengths for the 2024 Nebraska volleyball team.
• While middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick have started most of the matches at that position, Leyla Blackwell, a transfer from San Diego, has played in 12 matches and made four starts and is putting up 2.33 kills per set on a .435 hitting percentage with 1.29 blocks per set.
• Blackwell had nine kills and seven blocks and hit .600 earning the start on Oct. 12 vs. Rutgers. She also had seven kills and three blocks and hit .429 while stepping in for a sidelined Andi Jackson at Illinois on Oct. 3.
• On the pin, Taylor Landfair has started 19 matches and Lindsay Krause has started 12 matches.
• Landfair, a senior transfer from Minnesota, is averaging 2.48 kills per set and had 13 kills in the 3-0 win at Wisconsin on Nov. 1, which tied her season high. She also had 13 kills against UCLA on Sept. 27 and at Oregon on Nov. 7.
• In her senior season, Krause is averaging 2.37 kills per set and has 15 service aces.
• Krause was instrumental in Nebraska’s 3-2 win over No. 9 Creighton on Sept. 10 with a team-high 17 kills, five blocks and six digs. She also had 13 kills in a win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Aug. 30 and nine kills in a sweep of Stanford on Sept. 18.
HALL OF FAME COACH COOK IN YEAR 25 AT NU
• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 25th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2024. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 14 conference championships and 22 top-10 final rankings since 2000.
• Cook has 879 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .876 win percentage (718-102).
• On Sept. 10, 2024, the Huskers defeated No. 9 Creighton 3-2 for Cook’s 695th win at Nebraska, which moved him past Terry Pettit for most wins all-time as the Nebraska volleyball head coach.
• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 68 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000, 2005 and 2023, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.
• In 2023, Cook was voted AVCA National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s time at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.
• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.
• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 25th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2024. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 14 conference championships and 22 top-10 final rankings since 2000.
• Cook has 879 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .876 win percentage (718-102).
• On Sept. 10, 2024, the Huskers defeated No. 9 Creighton 3-2 for Cook’s 695th win at Nebraska, which moved him past Terry Pettit for most wins all-time as the Nebraska volleyball head coach.
• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 68 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000, 2005 and 2023, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.
• In 2023, Cook was voted AVCA National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s time at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.
• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.
FIVE HUSKERS NAMED TO ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
• After winning a second straight Big Ten championship, five members of the Nebraska volleyball team were named to the All-Big Ten First Team on Dec. 4 after a vote by the league’s head coaches.
• Senior libero Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Libero of the Year, the first year the award was renamed from Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Rodriguez was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2023. She is the second player in Big Ten history to earn three Big Ten Defensive/Libero of the Year honors (Paula Gentil, Minnesota, 2002-04).
• Sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Year for the second year in a row. She’s the only player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, and she’s the first Husker to win multiple Big Ten Setter of the Year honors.
• In addition to the individual awards, Merritt Beason, Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, Reilly and Rodriguez were selected to the 25-player All-Big Ten First Team. Jackson and Rodriguez were two of seven players who were unanimous selections.
• Nebraska’s five All-Big Ten First Team honorees were the most for any team and are NU’s most since joining the conference in 2011.
• Leyla Blackwell received Nebraska’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
• After winning a second straight Big Ten championship, five members of the Nebraska volleyball team were named to the All-Big Ten First Team on Dec. 4 after a vote by the league’s head coaches.
• Senior libero Lexi Rodriguez was named Big Ten Libero of the Year, the first year the award was renamed from Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Rodriguez was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2023. She is the second player in Big Ten history to earn three Big Ten Defensive/Libero of the Year honors (Paula Gentil, Minnesota, 2002-04).
• Sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Year for the second year in a row. She’s the only player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, and she’s the first Husker to win multiple Big Ten Setter of the Year honors.
• In addition to the individual awards, Merritt Beason, Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, Reilly and Rodriguez were selected to the 25-player All-Big Ten First Team. Jackson and Rodriguez were two of seven players who were unanimous selections.
• Nebraska’s five All-Big Ten First Team honorees were the most for any team and are NU’s most since joining the conference in 2011.
• Leyla Blackwell received Nebraska’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
THREE HUSKERS SELECTED IN PVF DRAFT
• Nebraska seniors Merritt Beason, Lindsay Krause and Leyla Blackwell were selected in the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Draft on Nov. 25.
• Beason was selected No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Vibe, who traded with the Indy Ignite to select Beason with the first pick. The Atlanta Vibe are coached by former Husker Kayla Banwarth, who was hired in July.
• Krause was selected by the Omaha Supernovas in the third round with the No. 19 overall pick. A Papillion, Neb. native, Krause will play for her hometown team after a four-year career at Nebraska.
• Blackwell was picked by the San Diego Mojo in the fourth round with the No. 26 overall pick. A San Diego native, Blackwell came to Nebraska this year after three seasons at San Diego.
• Nebraska seniors Merritt Beason, Lindsay Krause and Leyla Blackwell were selected in the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Draft on Nov. 25.
• Beason was selected No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Vibe, who traded with the Indy Ignite to select Beason with the first pick. The Atlanta Vibe are coached by former Husker Kayla Banwarth, who was hired in July.
• Krause was selected by the Omaha Supernovas in the third round with the No. 19 overall pick. A Papillion, Neb. native, Krause will play for her hometown team after a four-year career at Nebraska.
• Blackwell was picked by the San Diego Mojo in the fourth round with the No. 26 overall pick. A San Diego native, Blackwell came to Nebraska this year after three seasons at San Diego.
REILLY, JACKSON LEAD U.S. U21 TEAM TO GOLD
• Nebraska sophomores Bergen Reilly and Andi Jackson led the U.S. U21 National Team to the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto, Canada in June. Nebraska assistant coach Jaylen Reyes served as an assistant coach for the U21 National Team.
• The U.S. swept Puerto Rico 25-12, 25-16, 25-16 in the final to finish the tournament without dropping a set in five matches. Jackson finished with nine kills, three blocks and one ace, while Reilly set the U.S. to a .464 hitting percentage.
• In other international competition, Nebraska seniors Merritt Beason, Taylor Landfair and Lexi Rodriguez took the silver medal at the NORCECA Final Six as the U.S. National Team fell to Dominican Republic in five sets. The U.S. National Team - comprising only college players for this tournament - went toe-to-toe with the senior national team of the Dominican Republic. Beason had a team-high 14 kills in the final, while Rodriguez had 10 digs.
• Nebraska sophomores Bergen Reilly and Andi Jackson led the U.S. U21 National Team to the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto, Canada in June. Nebraska assistant coach Jaylen Reyes served as an assistant coach for the U21 National Team.
• The U.S. swept Puerto Rico 25-12, 25-16, 25-16 in the final to finish the tournament without dropping a set in five matches. Jackson finished with nine kills, three blocks and one ace, while Reilly set the U.S. to a .464 hitting percentage.
• In other international competition, Nebraska seniors Merritt Beason, Taylor Landfair and Lexi Rodriguez took the silver medal at the NORCECA Final Six as the U.S. National Team fell to Dominican Republic in five sets. The U.S. National Team - comprising only college players for this tournament - went toe-to-toe with the senior national team of the Dominican Republic. Beason had a team-high 14 kills in the final, while Rodriguez had 10 digs.
BLACKWELL, LANDFAIR JOIN HUSKERS
• Nebraska brought in two new additions via the transfer portal in the offseason in Minnesota outside hitter Taylor Landfair and San Diego middle blocker Leyla Blackwell.
• Landfair, a 6-5 outside hitter from Plainfield, Ill., is a senior for the Huskers but has two years of eligibility remaining after receiving a medical hardship for the 2021 season. Landfair was the Big Ten Player of the Year and an AVCA first-team All-American in 2022 at Minnesota after 4.36 kills per set on .257 hitting with 1.63 digs per set. She had a career-high 28 kills in a win over Oregon and was a four-time Big Ten Player of the Week, as well as the AVCA North Region Player of the Year. Last season, Landfair earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third time and averaged 3.19 kills and 2.03 digs per set.
• Blackwell, a 6-4 middle blocker from San Diego, Calif., was a three-time All-WCC selection at San Diego and averaged 2.25 kills and 1.24 blocks per set with a .329 hitting percentage last season. Blackwell guided the Toreros to the NCAA Semifinals in 2022 by shattering the school record for single-season block assists (152), and she finished sixth nationally at 1.50 blocks per set. Blackwell has Big Ten experience as she began her career at Indiana in 2020-21 and led the team in blocking and hitting percentage.
• Nebraska brought in two new additions via the transfer portal in the offseason in Minnesota outside hitter Taylor Landfair and San Diego middle blocker Leyla Blackwell.
• Landfair, a 6-5 outside hitter from Plainfield, Ill., is a senior for the Huskers but has two years of eligibility remaining after receiving a medical hardship for the 2021 season. Landfair was the Big Ten Player of the Year and an AVCA first-team All-American in 2022 at Minnesota after 4.36 kills per set on .257 hitting with 1.63 digs per set. She had a career-high 28 kills in a win over Oregon and was a four-time Big Ten Player of the Week, as well as the AVCA North Region Player of the Year. Last season, Landfair earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third time and averaged 3.19 kills and 2.03 digs per set.
• Blackwell, a 6-4 middle blocker from San Diego, Calif., was a three-time All-WCC selection at San Diego and averaged 2.25 kills and 1.24 blocks per set with a .329 hitting percentage last season. Blackwell guided the Toreros to the NCAA Semifinals in 2022 by shattering the school record for single-season block assists (152), and she finished sixth nationally at 1.50 blocks per set. Blackwell has Big Ten experience as she began her career at Indiana in 2020-21 and led the team in blocking and hitting percentage.
HUSKERS ADD TWO TALENTED FRESHMEN
• Nebraska signed two freshmen in its 2024 class, libero Olivia Mauch and outside hitter Skyler Pierce.
• Mauch, a 5-6 libero from Bennington, Neb., was the starting libero for the U.S. Girls U19 Team that won gold at the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championships in Croatia. She had 13 digs in the championship match, a 3-2 comeback win over Turkey. Mauch averaged 7.1 digs per set and had 49 service aces in her senior season at Bennington, leading the Badgers to the Class B state semifinals twice. She was the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year. Mauch also trained with the U.S. U21 National Team in June 2024 in Anaheim, Calif.
• Pierce, a 6-2 outside hitter from Lenexa, Kan., also has major international experience with the U.S. National Team program, having competed at the 2023 FIVB U21 World Championships. Pierce starred at Olathe Northwest, where she averaged 4.6 kills per set with a .402 hitting percentage to go along with 230 digs, 67 aces and 43 blocks in her senior season in which the Ravens finished third at the Kansas 6A state tournament. Pierce was an AVCA first-team High School All-American and the MetroKC Volleyball Player of the Year.
• Nebraska signed two freshmen in its 2024 class, libero Olivia Mauch and outside hitter Skyler Pierce.
• Mauch, a 5-6 libero from Bennington, Neb., was the starting libero for the U.S. Girls U19 Team that won gold at the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championships in Croatia. She had 13 digs in the championship match, a 3-2 comeback win over Turkey. Mauch averaged 7.1 digs per set and had 49 service aces in her senior season at Bennington, leading the Badgers to the Class B state semifinals twice. She was the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year. Mauch also trained with the U.S. U21 National Team in June 2024 in Anaheim, Calif.
• Pierce, a 6-2 outside hitter from Lenexa, Kan., also has major international experience with the U.S. National Team program, having competed at the 2023 FIVB U21 World Championships. Pierce starred at Olathe Northwest, where she averaged 4.6 kills per set with a .402 hitting percentage to go along with 230 digs, 67 aces and 43 blocks in her senior season in which the Ravens finished third at the Kansas 6A state tournament. Pierce was an AVCA first-team High School All-American and the MetroKC Volleyball Player of the Year.
FIVE HUSKERS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
• Five student-athletes from the Nebraska volleyball team were named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
• Merritt Beason and Lexi Rodriguez were unanimous selections to the 18-player Preseason All-Big Ten Team. They were joined by Taylor Landfair, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly on the team. All five players were All-Big Ten selections in 2023. Seventeen of the 18 players on the team were either All-Big Ten or All-Pac 12 First Team selections last season. NU’s five selections were the most for any team in the conference; no one else had more than three.
• The coaches picked Nebraska as the top team in the preseason poll. The Huskers won their fourth Big Ten title in 2023 with a 19-1 conference record. Nebraska finished the season at 33-2 and reached the NCAA Championship match, falling 3-0 to Texas in Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota rounded out the top five, followed by three of the conference’s newcomers in Oregon, USC and UCLA.
• Five student-athletes from the Nebraska volleyball team were named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
• Merritt Beason and Lexi Rodriguez were unanimous selections to the 18-player Preseason All-Big Ten Team. They were joined by Taylor Landfair, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly on the team. All five players were All-Big Ten selections in 2023. Seventeen of the 18 players on the team were either All-Big Ten or All-Pac 12 First Team selections last season. NU’s five selections were the most for any team in the conference; no one else had more than three.
• The coaches picked Nebraska as the top team in the preseason poll. The Huskers won their fourth Big Ten title in 2023 with a 19-1 conference record. Nebraska finished the season at 33-2 and reached the NCAA Championship match, falling 3-0 to Texas in Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota rounded out the top five, followed by three of the conference’s newcomers in Oregon, USC and UCLA.
THREE HUSKERS EARN SILVER AT PARIS OLYMPICS
• The U.S. Women’s Volleyball National Team earned the silver medal at the Paris Olympics in August as they fell to Italy, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) in the final.
• Three players on the U.S. National Team - Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson Cook and Justine Wong-Orantes - represented Nebraska throughout the competition. In the final, Wong-Orantes put up 15 digs for Team USA, and Larson had five kills.
• Larson earned her fourth career Olympic medal, tied for the most all-time by a women’s volleyball player. Robinson Cook collected her third Olympics medal, and Wong-Orantes now has a gold and a silver medal.
• The U.S. women have won one Olympic gold medal (2020), four silver medals (1984, 2008, 2012, 2024) and two bronze medals (1992 and 2016).
• Larson, who was a three-time All-American at Nebraska while lettering from 2005-08, competed in her fourth straight Olympics. She is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Huskers in 2024.
• Robinson Cook, an All-American at NU in 2013, was also a member of the bronze-medal winning team in 2016 and gold-medal winning team in 2020, while two-time All-American Wong-Orantes (2013-16) made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020.
• The U.S. Women’s Volleyball National Team earned the silver medal at the Paris Olympics in August as they fell to Italy, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) in the final.
• Three players on the U.S. National Team - Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson Cook and Justine Wong-Orantes - represented Nebraska throughout the competition. In the final, Wong-Orantes put up 15 digs for Team USA, and Larson had five kills.
• Larson earned her fourth career Olympic medal, tied for the most all-time by a women’s volleyball player. Robinson Cook collected her third Olympics medal, and Wong-Orantes now has a gold and a silver medal.
• The U.S. women have won one Olympic gold medal (2020), four silver medals (1984, 2008, 2012, 2024) and two bronze medals (1992 and 2016).
• Larson, who was a three-time All-American at Nebraska while lettering from 2005-08, competed in her fourth straight Olympics. She is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Huskers in 2024.
• Robinson Cook, an All-American at NU in 2013, was also a member of the bronze-medal winning team in 2016 and gold-medal winning team in 2020, while two-time All-American Wong-Orantes (2013-16) made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020.