Nebraska revs up the Busboom Kelly era with first fall practice

Husker volleyball begins preseason practice Thursday, in the first year of Dani Busboom Kelly leading the program.

The Big Red returns much of the talent from the 2024 Final Four team, Director of Operations Lindsay Peterson said.

“It's going to be a fun season,” Peterson said. “Obviously, [it’s] a different look for Nebraska volleyball, and I think a lot of people are excited for what that looks like.”

Summer went by fast and the Huskers are ready to compete for a national title, Peterson said.

Assistant Coach Jaylen Reyes agreed a corps group of standouts come back. But, the leadership of recent graduates Merritt Beason and Lexi Rodriguez will need to be replaced, Reyes said.

“It's a lot of change, obviously, but at the same time, we have so many people coming back,” Reyes said.

Returning contributors from last season are highlighted by outside hitters Harper Murray and Taylor Landfair, setter Bergen Reilly, and middle blocker Rebekah Allick.

The 2024 Cornhuskers finished 33-3, with a heartbreaking, five-set loss to Penn State in the Final Four, in what would be John Cook’s final match as head coach.

Penn State went on to win the national championship against Louisville who was coached by Busboom Kelly at the time.

Cook retired in late January. It was immediately announced that Busboom Kelly, a former national champion player and assistant at NU, would assume the role of leading Husker volleyball.

The road to the Final Four, which is in Kansas City this year, starts with a tough first match against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Panthers were also knocked off in the Final Four last season, losing to Louisville, 3-1.

The Huskers vs. Panthers match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time Friday, Aug. 22, and is part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association First Serve Showcase. Later that weekend, the Big Red play perennial power Stanford at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, also at Pinnacle Bank Arena.