The Nebraska women's volleyball team is set to begin its 2026 season ranked No. 1 nationally, carrying the weight of an unexpected Elite Eight exit from the previous year and a drive to reclaim its status as a dominant force in college volleyball. Last season, the Cornhuskers concluded their campaign with a 33-1 record, only to be upset by No. 7 seed Texas A&M in the regional finals. This loss marked the first time since 2002 that Nebraska failed to reach the national semifinals, a streak that had become a hallmark of the program.
Under second-year coach Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska returns a strong core of players, including AVCA First-Team All-Americans setter Bergen Reilly and middle blocker Andi Jackson. Outside hitters Harper Murray and Skyler Pierce also return to bolster the roster. Murray led the team in kills with 379 last season, while Jackson contributed 288 kills. The program notably invested approximately $7 million in its 2026 roster, the highest expenditure among NCAA women's volleyball programs. For the second consecutive season, Nebraska experienced no outgoing transfers. The team also added transfer opposite Allie Sczech from Baylor to help fill the void left by Rebekah Allick and Taylor Landfair, who have exhausted their eligibility.
Nebraska has a storied history in the NCAA tournament, having reached the national semifinals 18 times and appearing in the championship game six times. However, the Cornhuskers have not won a national title since defeating Florida in 2017. The current season opens with a challenging nonconference schedule, highlighted by a matchup against No. 2 Texas in Las Vegas. This renewal of a significant rivalry comes as a rematch of the 2023 national championship, where Texas defeated Nebraska in straight sets. A victory in this highly anticipated contest would serve as a strong statement for Nebraska's 2026 campaign and its pursuit of another national championship.