Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball opened fall practice last Thursday with the same four graduating players who watched Texas A&M end their 33-1 season in last year's NCAA Tournament Regional Final.
Setter Bergen Reilly, middle blocker Andi Jackson, outside hitter Harper Murray, and libero Laney Choboy are all back for one final push at the program's first national title since 2017.
"We all know how the last three years have ended, and we need to prove that we can do it," Reilly said at Big Ten volleyball media day on Monday. "It's not how we start the season; it's how we finish."
That urgency has carried into early practices. Jackson said the group is focused on staying loose and strengthening their bond away from the court rather than dwelling on past losses.
And the road to the NCAA volleyball championship starts with an actual road trip.
Cornhuskers Chase Ultimate NCAA Volleyball Championship
John Cook Arena's expansion to 10,000 seats has pushed Nebraska volleyball's home opener to September 10th. That means the Huskers open at a Las Vegas showcase before playing their first Big Ten volleyball match.
Coach Dani Busboom Kelly sees upside as the team's Big Ten schedules have made them comfortable on the road. And Reilly says her teammates are embracing the challenge.
"We've been doing some things to just really make ourselves comfortable in the uncomfortable because we know that there's going to be a lot going on," she said.
"There's a lot of moving parts, a lot of really exciting and emotional games right at the beginning of the year, and not letting that get the best of us."
