Nebraska
Nebraska Volleyball Preview: AVCA First Serve Showcase vs. No. 9 Kentucky
The 2024 college volleyball season is officially here and two blockbuster matchups are set to kick off a campaign that sees the sport thrust into the national spotlight like never before. With nationally televised matches set to be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, NBC and FOX, growth seems imminent.
At the front of that movement is Nebraska volleyball. For a program that churns out stars year in and year out, 2024 looks no different. All starters return from a 2023 squad that lost in the national championship match to Texas. Ranked No. 2 heading into the fall, Nebraska looks to put that heart-crushing loss in Tampa behind them as they gear up for another challenging campaign.
The Huskers are one of four marquee teams heading to the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky as part of the AVCA First Serve Showcase. Nebraska will have its toughest season-opening opponent in years with a matchup against No. 9 Kentucky. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Huskers have faced a ranked opponent to kick off the season and the first time since 2018 that the opponent is ranked inside the top ten.
Here’s all you need to know as Nebraska hits the road to start off 2024.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: No. 2 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Kentucky
Where: KFC Yum! Center
Time: 6 p.m. CDT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
Kentucky Scout
Head Coach: Craig Skinner | 20th Season | 444-147 All-Time Record
2023 Record: 21-8 (17-1 SEC, 1st) | Lost in Five Sets to Arkansas in Sweet 16
Key Returners: Emma Grome, Setter, Sr. | Brooklyn DeLeye, OH, Soph. | Eleanor Beavin, L, Sr.
Key Departures: Reagan Rutherford, OH (Texas) | Azhani Tealer, MB (Eligibility) | Elise Goetzinger, MB (Eligibility)
Outlook: The Wildcats bring back a strong nucleus heading into Craig Skinner’s 20th season at the helm. Three-time All-American setter Emma Grome is back to run the offense after leading the power five with the most assists per set for the second straight season.
Gone is star hitter Reagan Rutherford to Texas, but the Wildcats return SEC Freshman of the Year Brooklyn DeLeye. The 6-2 sophomore racked up nearly 400 kills in 29 matches including marks of 3.7 kills and 1.7 digs per set along with 12 aces. She’ll be joined by Oklahoma transfer Megan Wilson on the other pin. Wilson saw action in 22 matches last year, but she’s expected to take an expanded role.
Eleanor Beavin leads the Wildcat defense in the back row and will aim to have her best season since winning the SEC Libero of the Year during her freshman season back in 2021.
Middle blocker will be a key area of interest for Kentucky after losing their top four block leaders. Skinner dipped into the portal to grab Xavier transfer Delaney Hogan. The 6-foot senior was a three-time All-Big East selection while being named the 2021 Big East Freshman of the Year. She’ll be the only blocker with college experience as part of a position group that includes redshirt freshman Jordyn Dailey and Brooke Bultema and true freshman Kennedy Washington.
Keys for Nebraska
The No. 2 Huskers are the favorite heading into Tuesday and they have the edge on paper. Nebraska’s block looks to be a key for victory. Kentucky lost its top four block leaders from a year ago and only has one of its four middle blockers with college experience. Husker setter Bergen Reilly may try to target her middle blockers more to expose the hole in the Wildcats’ roster.
Sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson was hard to ignore in Nebraska’s Red-White scrimmage on Saturday. The game has seemed to slow down for the Colorado native after spending the summer with USA volleyball. Jackson exploded for a match-high 15 kills on a .583 hitting percentage to go with seven blocks. And that was against her teammates who know her tendencies best. Jackson looks ready for a breakout season and she’ll aim to start it against Kentucky on Tuesday.
MORE: Sophomore Middle Blocker Dominates Nebraska Volleyball Scrimmage
MORE: Nebraska Volleyball: White Tops Red in Annual Preseason Scrimmage
MORE: Nebraska Football Fan Gives Blackshirts Unique Gift During Fan Day
MORE: Nebraska Football’s Matt Rhule Sees On-Field Role for Heinrich Haarberg
MORE: Micah Mazzccua Bringing “Physicality” to Nebraska Offensive Line
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Nebraska Extension hosted a workshop Wednesday morning for ag producers, focusing on how to use drought monitoring and forecasting tools, assess drought impacts and risks, explore management strategies, and identify available resources.
Organizers say the goal is to help producers make more informed, timely decisions as changing weather patterns continue to affect soil moisture, crop conditions, and long-term planning.
The session also highlighted practical tools farmers can use to track drought development and adjust operations before conditions worsen.
“The really warm temperatures and strong wind just sucked the moisture out of the soil, out of the vegetation and this has been going on since at least October and were not going to come out of it over the night, it’s going to take a while to rebuild those moisture supplies even if we get average moisture it will be enough for vegetation but it won’t helped us recover what we’ve already lost,” said Deborah Bathke, Nebraska state climatologist.
Officials add that continued education and early planning are key to helping producers stay resilient through increasingly variable growing seasons.
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Adam Carriker is joined by HuskerOnline publisher Sean Callahan to break down the upcoming season for Matt Rhule and Nebraska football. Callahan gives unique insight on what Nebraska’s offense may look like, realistic expectation for quarterback Anthony Colandrea, if the offensive line is legit better, the new 4-2-5 defense, the undersized defensive line and if the Huskers will win more than seven games. Also, will Nebraska basketball make a Sweet 16 run again?
Hit the play button for that and more in this episode of the Carriker Chronicles. For a synopsis, scroll down.
Synopsis
In the latest installment of the Carriker Chronicles, Adam Carriker and Sean Callahan discuss the upcoming season for Nebraska football and why this year is so important. They explain that Year 4 under Matt Rhule is a big turning point because by now, the program should reflect his system, culture, and recruiting. If things are going to work long-term, this is the season where fans should really start to see it.
One of the first things they talk about is the overall vibe of the offseason. Callahan mentions that Nebraska has “closed the lab,” meaning the team is done experimenting and now fully focused on playing football. The expectation is that players understand the system better and can execute at a higher level without the outside distractions.
They also discuss the offense and what it might look like under Dana Holgorsen. While there may be some similarities to past systems, there will also be differences based on the players Nebraska has. Part of the conversation is quarterback Anthony Colandrea, and they set realistic expectations for him. He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he does need to be consistent, make plays with his feet and take care of the football.
The offensive line is another key topic. Callahan believes the group has improved this offseason, especially with players like Elijah Pritchett, who seems to be on the uptick. If the offensive line can protect the quarterback and create running lanes, it could make a huge difference for the entire offense. They also mention the running back room, which has potential but still needs to prove itself during the season.
On defense, Nebraska is expected to run more of a 4-2-5 scheme this year. This means more speed on the field, but it also raises questions about size, especially on the defensive line. One of the biggest concerns is whether the defensive front can hold up against physical teams. However, they point out that the secondary might be the strongest position group, which could help balance things out.
Special teams are briefly discussed, with the expectation that they will be solid but not necessarily a major strength or weakness. Recruiting is another area where Nebraska seems to be trending in the right direction, which is important for building long-term success.
They also touch on men’s basketball and whether the team can make another Sweet 16 run. While it’s possible, it will depend heavily on player development and who will replace those that have left.
To wrap it up, they debate whether Nebraska football will win more than seven games this season. It’s seen as a realistic but challenging goal. This is a critical year for Matt Rhule and the program, and fans should have a much clearer idea of the team’s future by the end of the season.
Program order
- 00:00: Intro
- 01:09: Sean Callahan Joins the Show
- 01:54: Year 4 Under Matt Rhule
- 04:04: Offseason Vibe: Closing the Lab, Focusing on Football
- 05:30: Dana Holgorsen: Similarities & Differences to Expect
- 07:30: Offensive Line: Offseason Improvements
- 09:45: Elijah Pritchett Spotlight
- 12:54: Running Back Room: What to Expect
- 15:20: Defensive Scheme: What to Expect This Year
- 18:53: Biggest Defensive Question Marks
- 22:10: Strongest Defensive Position Group
- 23:00: Special Teams Outlook
- 25:08: Recruiting Class Breakdown
- 27:45: Nebraska Basketball Preview
- 29:50: Over/Under: 7 Wins Next Season
- 31:18: Fan Questions
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska baseball team lost to Kansas 9-7 on Tuesday in front of a record crowd at Hoglund Park. The Huskers took an early lead on an RBI single by National Freshman of the Week Drew Grego. After giving up three unanswered runs, Nebraska rallied to go back in front on a 3rd-inning single by Will Jesske. Both Grego and Jesske finished with two hits in the game.
Kansas, however, took control in the middle innings. The Jayhawks got home runs from Tyson Owens and Josh Dykoff in the sixth frame. Both round-trippers came off NU relief pitcher Ty Horn. Kansas added insurance in the 7th inning before a late rally by the Huskers.
Nebraska trimmed a five-run deficit to two, but couldn’t complete the comeback on the road.
The Huskers’ loss is their second to the Jayhawks this season. Nebraska’s record drops to 31-10 overall.
Will Bolt’s team returns to action on Friday at Illinois. Game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Champaign.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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