The Nebraska Volleyball team travels to Ord on Saturday for its second and final spring exhibition match. The Huskers will face South Dakota State at Ord High School, continuing a program tradition of touring the state.
Tickets for the event quickly sold out, underscoring the strong interest in Nebraska Volleyball across the state. The match represents an opportunity for local fans outside of Lincoln to see the team compete.
Coverage of the match will be available on Nebraska Public Media and streamed online via B1G+. Fans can also listen to the broadcast on the Husker Radio Network.
This spring season marks the first for the program under new head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, who took over following John Cook's retirement in January. Cook led the team for 25 seasons, and the home court at the Bob Devaney Sports Center was recently named John Cook Arena in his honor.
Nebraska's first public spring appearance was on April 26, when the team swept Kansas in a sold-out exhibition at the Devaney Center. Players like Andi Jackson, Rebekah Allick, Harper Murray, and newcomer Ryan Hunter showed offensive production in the match.
South Dakota State finished the 2024 season with a 27-3 record, winning the Summit League regular-season title and making an NCAA Tournament appearance. Key players included Sylvie Zgonc and Sydni Schetnan.
Nebraska holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series against South Dakota State, with wins in 1975 and during the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament at the NU Coliseum.
Following the Kansas exhibition, players indicated the team would focus on technical aspects and execution in the smaller Ord gymnasium.
The spring exhibitions serve as preparation for the 2025 fall season, which includes appearances at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Lincoln and an event in Nashville. The Big Ten Conference has also announced its 2025 schedule rotation, which will see Nebraska travel to new conference opponents UCLA and USC.
Regarding the focus for the Ord match, senior middle blocker Rebekah Allick said, “I think playing here in Devaney was great. It really is, honestly, the definition of jumping off in the deep end. So I think Ord will be, hopefully, smoother.”
