Three Nebraska Volleyball Stars in Contention for 2025 AVCA Honors
Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball is making waves with three of its players shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 AVCA Player of the Year Award. The American Volleyball Coaches Association has recognized Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, and Bergen Reilly as semifinalists, spotlighting their remarkable performances this season.
The announcement from the AVCA on Friday revealed that Nebraska topped the list with the most players nominated, featuring three out of the 14 semifinalists. Kentucky is the only other team with multiple players in the running.
This trio of Cornhuskers has not only excelled this fall but also accumulated various accolades throughout their careers. The Big Ten Conference has frequently highlighted Nebraska players in its weekly Big Ten Player of the Week selections, a first since 2023.
Among these standout athletes, Bergen Reilly, a junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was recently honored as the “Big Ten Co-Setter of the Week,” marking her 12th career recognition and third for this season. Reilly’s leadership was crucial in securing dominant victories against No. 11 Wisconsin and Oregon. Her stats include an average of 10.67 assists and 2.17 digs per set, alongside five kills and five blocks. Notably, against Wisconsin, she achieved 38 assists and contributed significantly to the team’s .349 hitting percentage, the highest allowed by Wisconsin at home since 2012.
Middle blocker Andi Jackson, hailing from Brighton, Colorado, secured the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolade in October, her second career achievement of this kind. Her performance against Michigan State and Michigan included 10 blocks with an impressive average of 1.67 per set, alongside a .706 hitting percentage.
Harper Murray, a junior outside hitter from Ann Arbor, Michigan, was named the Big Ten Player of the Week in early October. This marked her first recognition of this kind, following stellar performances against Washington and Purdue. In the match against Purdue, Murray managed 16 kills on 25 error-free attempts, achieving a .640 hitting percentage along with five digs and two service aces.
The AVCA, which plays a significant role in promoting volleyball excellence, released this semifinalist list with anticipation of announcing the finalists on December 15. The final accolade will be awarded at the AVCA Awards Banquet in Kansas City on December 19.
Rebekah Allick, another prominent player from Nebraska, was previously on the AVCA watchlist but did not advance to the semifinals.
Under the guidance of new head coach Dani Busboom-Kelly, the Nebraska volleyball team remains unbeaten in Division I, boasting 23 consecutive wins. The team recently triumphed over Illinois at home and is set to face Minnesota on Saturday.
