Nebraska Volleyball Finds Joy in the Grind While Carrying Championship-or-Bust Pressure…Read More…
LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Nebraska volleyball program is no stranger to lofty expectations. With five national titles, countless Final Four appearances, and a fanbase that sells out every match months in advance, the Huskers carry the weight of being one of the sport’s standard-bearers. Yet in 2025, amid the relentless “championship-or-bust” narrative, this team is choosing to focus on something much simpler — joy.
Balancing Legacy With the Present
Nebraska volleyball doesn’t just play matches; it carries a legacy. Every time the Huskers take the court at the Devaney Center, they are reminded of the banners, the history, and the generations of players who set the standard before them. For many programs, just reaching the NCAA Tournament is an accomplishment. For Nebraska, anything less than competing for a national championship feels like failure.
Head coach John Cook understands this dual reality better than anyone. Now in his 25th season leading the Huskers, Cook has seen players crumble under the pressure and others thrive in it. This season, he’s been vocal about shifting the focus from outcomes to experiences.
“The expectations will always be there — that’s what comes with Nebraska volleyball,” Cook said in a recent press conference. “But what we talk about every day is finding joy in the grind. If our players can learn to love the process, the wins and championships will follow.”
The Players’ Perspective
For senior libero Lexi Rodriguez, one of the anchors of the team, the pressure is both motivating and daunting.
“Everybody knows Nebraska volleyball. When people hear that’s where you play, they immediately think you’re supposed to win it all,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a privilege, but it can be a heavy weight. What’s changed this year is that we’re really leaning into gratitude and joy — celebrating the small wins, the moments in practice, and the relationships with each other.”
Sophomore standout Harper Murray echoed those sentiments. After a breakout freshman year, Murray entered the 2025 season as one of the most talked-about players in college volleyball. The spotlight could easily consume her, but she’s learning to shift her mindset.
“I’ve realized that if I’m only thinking about the national championship, I’m not enjoying the matches in front of me,” Murray explained. “This year, I’m just trying to smile more on the court, play loose, and love the game. That’s when I play my best.”
Culture Over Pressure
Nebraska’s culture has long been one of discipline, toughness, and consistency. But Cook and his staff are adding a new layer: intentional joy. Team meetings now include space for players to share personal highlights. Practices are infused with more energy, and players are encouraged to celebrate even the smallest improvements.
Assistant coach Kelly Hunter, a former Husker All-American and national champion herself, said the emphasis on joy doesn’t diminish the competitive fire — it fuels it.
“When you love what you’re doing, you push harder, you care more, and you play freer,” Hunter said. “Nebraska will always have that championship standard, but we’re proving that you can chase excellence without losing the joy of the game.”
The Fan Factor
Of course, joy is easier said than lived when 8,000 fans pack the Devaney Center every home match and millions more tune in across the country. Nebraska fans are known as some of the most passionate in college sports, but with that passion comes pressure. Every misstep is analyzed, every season measured against the ultimate prize.
Junior middle blocker Bekka Allick said the team has learned to embrace the fans’ expectations rather than fear them.
“Nobody cares about volleyball like Nebraskans do,” Allick said. “It’s intense, but it’s also amazing. We’ve chosen to see it as love instead of pressure. These fans support us no matter what, and that gives us energy.”
Eyes on December
Make no mistake: the Huskers aren’t abandoning their championship goals. The team knows that come December, the measure of success will still be whether or not they’re hoisting a national championship trophy. But in the meantime, they’re finding value in the journey.
“Our goals haven’t changed,” Cook said. “We want to be the last team standing. But if we can do it with joy, then we’re not just building champions on the court — we’re building people who know how to handle pressure, adversity, and life.”
A Lesson Beyond Volleyball
As the season unfolds, Nebraska volleyball is proving that joy and pressure don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, embracing one might be the key to conquering the other.
For Rodriguez, Murray, Allick, and their teammates, this season is about more than volleyball. It’s about learning that true success comes not just from winning, but from loving the pursuit of greatness.
“Every team in the country wants to win the national championship,” Rodriguez said. “But not every team gets to do it while playing in front of the best fans, with teammates who feel like family, and a culture that values joy. That’s what makes Nebraska special.”
And so, while the outside world will continue to ask if the Huskers are championship-bound, the team is asking a different question: Are they embracing joy along the way?
If they can answer “yes,” Nebraska might just find that joy is the secret ingredient that makes another championship possible.
Leave a Reply