Nebraska’s No. 1-ranked volleyball team kicks off the 2025 season in style, taking part in AVCA First Serve at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers open with two top-10 tests this weekend, facing No. 3 Pittsburgh on Friday at 6 p.m. and No. 6 Stanford on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., as part of a field that features 10 of the nation’s elite programs.
Television and radio coverage for the weekend is strong: Friday’s Pitt clash will be televised on FOX and streamed on FoxSports.com, with Connor Onion, Emily Ehman and Anna Connelly on the call. Sunday’s Stanford matchup airs on ESPN and WatchESPN, with Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George and Madison Fitzpatrick providing commentary. The Huskers Radio Network will carry all action on volleyball affiliate networks, Huskers.com and the Huskers App.
A historic first for the Huskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena
Pinnacle Bank Arena, a 15,500-seat venue that opened in 2013 and has been home to Nebraska basketball and various events, will host Nebraska volleyball for the first time. The weekend marks the AVCA First Serve’s arrival at PBA, highlighting a three-day series (Aug. 22-24) with two matches each day and culminating in two matches in Sioux Falls on Aug. 25. In addition to Nebraska’s matchups, other notable showdowns at PBA include No. 16 Florida vs. No. 6 Stanford, No. 12 Creighton vs. No. 2 Penn State, and No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Florida.
A look at the Huskers entering the season
Nebraska finished 2024 at 33-3, advancing to the NCAA Semifinals for the seventh time in 10 years. The Huskers captured their 36th conference title and fifth Big Ten title with a 19-1 league mark. They tied the school regular-season win record with 29 victories and matched the program’s single-season win total at 33. The Huskers ranked 11th nationally in hitting percentage (.284) and led the Big Ten and ranked highly in opponent hitting (.143). Nebraska enters 2025 with a historic chase, aiming to become the first Division I volleyball program to reach 1,500 all-time wins.
Alumni and preseason events fuel the program’s momentum
Last weekend, the Huskers defeated their Alumni team 3-1 behind strong performances from Harper Murray (12 kills on .476) and Andi Jackson (11 kills on .389 with three blocks and three aces). Bergen Reilly dished 37 assists, while Olivia Mauch added nine digs. In their Red-White Scrimmage, the Huskers leaned on depth with Rebekah Allick leading the way with 16 kills, supported by solid showings from freshmen Kenna Cogill and Manaia Ogbechie as blockers. Harper Murray added 15 kills and nine digs, and Taylor Landfair contributed notably in the front and back rows.
Key matchups and scouting notes
Pittsburgh, ranked No. 3, finished 33-2 last season and reached the NCAA semifinals. Reigning AVCA National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock returns for Pitt, boasting 4.72 kills per set and a .323 hitting percentage along with a big serving presence. Stanford, No. 6, went 28-5 and reached the NCAA Regional Final; first-team All-American Elia Rubin is back, averaging nearly four kills per set with strong efficiency and defense.
Historical angles
Nebraska owns a perfect 14-0 all-time record against Pittsburgh, with the team’s recent NCAA Semifinal meetings in 2021 and 2023 going Nebraska’s way. Stanford leads the series 12-8 but the Huskers have won the last two meetings (2023 and 2024). Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, in her first season at Nebraska after a storied run at Louisville, brings a national-title pedigree and a Husker legacy—she played a libero role on Nebraska’s 2006 national championship team and was an assistant coach when the Huskers won in 2015.
Returning stars and fresh talent
Nebraska’s returning core includes:
– Harper Murray, a 3.40 kills per set standout and 39-service-ace contributor, earning AVCA Second Team All-American honors last year.
– Bergen Reilly, the Big Ten Setter of the Year as both a freshman and sophomore, finishing 2024 with 11.08 assists per set.
– Andi Jackson, a breakout middle blocker who posted 2.62 kills per set on a .439 hitting percentage.
– Rebekah Allick, a middle blocker with 1.82 kills per set and a career-best .357 hitting percentage.
Newcomers and coaching
Eight newcomers join the 2025 roster, with Allie Sczech (transfer from Baylor) adding veteran experience as the lone transfer. Freshmen Campbell Flynn (setter), Ryan Hunter (opposite), Keri Leimbach (libero), Teraya Sigler (outside hitter), Virginia Adriano (opposite), Kenna Cogill (middle blocker), and Manaia Ogbechie (middle blocker) bring a strong rookie class. Head coach Busboom Kelly’s résumé includes a decade at Louisville, Temple ties to Nebraska, and a national championship pedigree that aligns with the program’s legacy of success.
Home dominance and recognition
Nebraska has won 45 consecutive home matches dating back to December 2022, the longest active streak nationally, and went 22-0 at home in 2024. The Huskers have also claimed 26 straight NCAA Tournament matches in the Devaney Center. The program recently renamed the Bob Devaney Sports Center venue to John Cook Arena, honoring the legendary coach who guided Nebraska to four national titles over a 25-year tenure. A bronze statue and dedicated signage will be unveiled later this year.
Season outlook and media coverage
Nebraska will play 24 televised matches this season, with 19 nationally televised on networks including Big Ten Network, FOX, FS1, NBC, ABC and ESPN. Nebraska Public Media will televise select non-televised events, with streaming on B1G+. The Huskers will also head to Nashville for the Broadway Block Party, facing Kentucky in a Sunday showdown on ABC and ESPN2 as part of a tripleheader.
Honors and watch lists
Four Huskers earned preseason All-Big Ten honors, with Jackson, Murray and Reilly named unanimous selections alongside Allick. The Huskers were tabbed as the preseason conference favorite. Jackson, Murray and Reilly also appeared on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List. Campbell Flynn was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year as a freshman, marking the sixth time a Husker has earned the national honor, and Sigler earned Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year honors.
What to watch this weekend
– How Busboom Kelly’s first season begins against two top-6 programs in a flagship venue, with the return of key veterans and the impact of a robust newcomer class.
– The Huskers’ balance between offense and defense, and whether the team can maintain the aggressive serving and efficient hitting that defined last season.
– The evolving leadership from Reilly in setting and Murray in scoring, supported by a deep back row led by Mauch and Leimbach.
Summary
Nebraska enters the 2025 season positioned for another deep run, combining a No. 1 ranking, a rich home-court history, a strong returning core, and a dynamic influx of talent under a coach with a storied Nebraska connection. The weekend at Pinnacle Bank Arena will test the Huskers early against two perennial powers, setting the tone for a season that fans hope will translate to national contention and continued dominance at home. A hopeful note: with the program’s legacy and current roster, Nebraska looks poised to capitalize on its strengths and push toward another deep NCAA run.