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.

In front of a sold out crowd at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the Nebraska volleyball team put on a show Saturday.

The Huskers split up for the annual Red-White Scrimmage, with the White team taking the match in four sets: 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22. But there was so much more going on beyond the play on the court.

Prior to the match, Nebraska handed out Big Ten Conference championship rings to the players. The arena also debuted the new conference championship and national runner-up banners.

Between the second and third sets, alumni were honored. There were more than 50 former Huskers on the floor.

Speaking of alumni, there was one playing in the match. Three-time All-American Lauren Stivrins played for the Red team. The former Husker notched seven kills and added five blocks in her first match at the Devaney Center since a sweep of Florida State in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

As for the current players, none shined brighter than middle Andi Jackson. The sophomore grabbed 15 kills on .583 hitting, adding seven blocks.

Playing for both teams at different times, Lindsay Krause posted 15 kills while newcomer Taylor Landfair notched 12. For the setters, Bergen Reilly had 40 assists and 10 digs for the White team and Kennedi Orr had 37 assists and 13 digs for the Red team.

In the back, freshman Olivia Mauch had a match-high 22 digs, with two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Lexi Rodriguez adding 15.

Next up for the No. 2 Huskers is the season opener in Louisville, Kentucky. Nebraska will face No. 9 Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center on Tuesday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CDT, with coverage on the Huskers Radio Network, including B 107.3 FM and 1400 AM and 99.3 FM KLIN in Lincoln, and televised on ESPN2.

Box Score

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

MORE: Taylor Landfair Excited for Fresh Start with Nebraska Volleyball, Aims for National Championship

MORE: Blackshirt Alum Gives Confident Season Prediction for Nebraska Football

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – 4-H members had the opportunity to model clothing they bought or created.

There were three 4-H fashion shows, all had over 100 contestants and several categories.

They walked down the runway, presented their attire to judges, and for a few young participants, it was their first time and a learning experience.

“I think it was a great experience for everyone,” said Bynlee Krueger of Pierce county. “All the girls did so great and the boys obviously did great as well.”

“I learned that you just need to be confident and have fun,” said Jozie Pierce of Cuming county.

The kids also get pointers before the show begins.

“We actually have a rehearsal,” said the 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator UNL. “They get to practice, we tell them how they should walk down the runway, what to do when they get on the runway, what to do when they get in front of the judges.”

Contestants are scored on how they model, how the clothing fits them, how it’s constructed, straightness of the hem, stitching, and creativity.

Out of over 100 contestants there were two winners for best in show and they share what inspired their attire.

“I had recently been like looking at like things like this because I needed some for like interviewing and different business things like I go on and I realize that I can definitely make it for a lot cheaper than just buying it so that’s what made me do it,” said Best in Show, Madison Enstron of Burt county.

“I went to see the musical ‘Six’ and I loved the outfits and the outfits were so cool,” said Best in Show, Antoey Dickman of Gage county. “So when I say the pattern that had all the elements on it I knew that I had to sew that this year.”

Both winners said there’s room for improvement before they defend their crowns next year.

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