Panhandle Post by Jake Schrantz
After making a run to the final four in the NCAA tournament in 2024, Nebraska Volleyball is set to begin its 2025 campaign as the No. 1 ranked team in the country in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll.
The Huskers collected 1,490 points in the poll and edged just ahead of Big Ten foe Penn State, which earned the No. 2 spot. Following the two Big Ten schools, Pittsburgh got the third-most points and earned the No. 3 preseason ranking. Louisville and Texas rounded out the preseason top five at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
This announcement marks NU's 109th week all-time at the top of the AVCA Coaches Poll, which leads all programs around the country. It's the first time since the 2022 season when the Huskers began a campaign as the preseason No. 1 rank. In that season, Nebraska lost in five sets to the No. 9 seeded Oregon Ducks in the NCAA Louisville Regional to end its season in early December.
The Huskers begin the 2025 season with some challenging opponents. Nebraska will match up with 12 preseason top-25 teams throughout the regular season, starting with two back-to-back clashes with No. 3 Pittsburgh and No. 6 Stanford on August 22 and August 24, respectively. These two matches are set to take place in the AVCA First Serve event at Pinnacle Bank Arena in downtown Lincoln.
Nebraska also begins its first season under new head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. She inherits a roster with high-level returning talent, like two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year, Bergen Reilly. The South Dakota-native will have plenty of offensive options to rely on as well.
Outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blocker Andi Jackson are back for their junior seasons for the Scarlet and Cream. Both of them return after All-Big Ten First Team distinctions a season ago. Middle blocker Rebekah Allick, defensive specialist Laney Choboy and outside hitter Taylor Landfair are expected to be high-level contributors at John Cook Arena this season too.
Newcomers, like pin hitters Ryan Hunter and Teraya Sigler, and middle blocker Kenna Cogill, will provide high-level depth for this Nebraska program that has consistently had starting-caliber reserves for the past few years.
With the season less than three weeks away, Husker Nation is excited for the new-look Nebraska Volleyball team under Busboom Kelly. The expectations remain high for this nationally-recognized program after earning the top spot in the preseason coaches poll.