SEC Now analysts Missy Whittemore and Leah Edmonds open the playbook for the 2025 season, outlining the must-watch matchups and the factors that could tilt the balance for SEC teams this year. With national powers and rising programs all stacked in the preseason mix, the road to December’s championship in Kansas City promises to be as competitive as ever.
A season of high-stakes matchups begins almost immediately. Nonconference battles will test depth and chemistry early, with marquee events like the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Lincoln promising eye-opening showdowns. Pittsburgh vs. Nebraska kicks off the slate, followed by Florida vs. Pittsburgh and Nebraska meeting Stanford. The broader schedule features the Broadway Block Party in Nashville, where Nebraska faces Kentucky, Tennessee meets Purdue, and Vanderbilt opens a new era of volleyball as a varsity program. Vanderbilt, led by the sister of WNBA star Kelsey Plum, Lauren Plum, has returned the Commodores to the college volleyball map.
Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Louisville sit atop the AVCA preseason poll, a reflection of the sustained elite level those programs have built. The Huskers lead with 40 first-place votes, followed by Penn State, then Pittsburgh and Louisville. National contenders Texas, Stanford, Kentucky, and Wisconsin round out the top eight. The season culminates with the NCAA tournament December 18-21 in Kansas City, where the landscape will likely shift as teams navigate a gauntlet of nonconference tests and conference play.
Coaching changes and leadership shape the storyline. Nebraska will begin the season under head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, returning to her home state after a decorated playing and coaching career with the program. She replaces the long-tenured John Cook, who retired after building Nebraska into a multi-time national power. Dan Meske takes the helm at Louisville, moving up from his role as associate head coach with the Cardinals. Busboom Kelly’s Nebraska is expected to maintain the program’s high standard, but with her own personality and approach, providing a familiar yet fresh dynamic as the Huskers chase a sixth championship. In Louisville, Meske inherits a program with a recent history of success and a chance to set a new tone in a changing landscape.
Transfers continue to reshape rosters across the SEC and beyond. Outside hitter Torrey Stafford’s move from Pitt to Texas stands out as a marquee pickup as the Longhorns look to bolster their firepower. Pitt, led by AVCA national player of the year Olivia Babcock, will still be potent, but the addition of Stafford gives Texas a new dimension. Kentucky added outside hitter Eva Hudson, who led the Big Ten in kills per set last season, while Nebraska landed Allie Sczech from Baylor to bolster the middle and balance the attack. Nebraska’s Harper Murray returns to pace the Huskers, leading a core that includes Andi Jackson, Rebekah Allick, and Bergen Reilly, who has been the Big Ten setter of the year for consecutive seasons.
The season’s on-court plotlines are complemented by strong coaching continuity in some programs. Busboom Kelly’s transition is anticipated to be seamless given her long association with Cook and the Nebraska program, though she will certainly stamp her imprint on the team’s style and leadership. Florida, meanwhile, is under new head coach Ryan Theis after Mary Wise retired following a storied tenure that saw the Gators reach the NCAA tournament in all seasons prior to Theis’s arrival. The SEC’s ongoing evolution is underscored by these coaching changes, which are likely to influence early-season results and late-season push for bids.
Beyond the court, the sport’s professional landscape has a notable update. The Pro Volleyball Federation has rebranded to Major League Volleyball (MLV), expanding opportunities for players transitioning from college to pro careers. The league is preparing for a 2026 season rollout with teams planned in multiple cities, including a new chapter for the Omaha Supernovas, a team with close ties to the Nebraska program. In a parallel development, Cook has joined the venture as a co-owner and general manager of the Supernovas, signaling a continued cross-pollination between elite college programs and professional ventures.
What this means for fans and the SEC’s outlook. The conference appears to be deepening its competitive bench, with several programs poised to challenge for national titles and others posing serious upset risks in nonconference play. The ACC and other conferences have helped push SEC teams to adapt quickly through transfers and coaching upgrades, and the 2025 season should offer a blend of established greatness and fresh energy. Expect early-season showcases to set the tone for key conference battles, with Nebraska’s transition under Busboom Kelly and the continued development of Pitt’s and Louisville’s title contenders at the forefront.
Key players to watch include Harper Murray for Nebraska, who led the Huskers in points per set last season, and Bergen Reilly, a standout setter returning to quarterback the attack. For Pitt, Olivia Babcock remains a driving force, while Eva Hudson’s addition at Kentucky provides a significant scoring outlet. Allie Sczech’s arrival gives Nebraska additional bite at the net, and Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick form a formidable middle-blocking tandem. The SEC’s impact will be felt across the country as these rosters take shape and conference rivals push each other to new heights.
In addition to the on-court drama, fans can anticipate a robust national broadcast schedule, with ESPN and ABC carrying major matches and the NCAA tournament action, reinforcing the sport’s growing visibility and fan engagement.
If you’re looking for a concise takeaway, the 2025 season promises a fusion of proven greatness and fresh leadership, with Nebraska’s bold coaching transition and significant transfer activity set to shape one of the most compelling race-for-the-title narratives in recent memory. A hopeful takeaway: the SEC’s increasing depth could yield more unpredictable, exciting outcomes and more opportunities for contenders to break through on the national stage.