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Beason, Rodriguez Lead Four Huskers on All-America Teams
Nebraska earned four spots on the 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America teams.
The honors were announced Wednesday morning.
Captains Merritt Beason and Lexi Rodriguez were selected to the first team. Setter Bergen Reilly was chosen to the second team, and outside hitter Harper Murray was named to the third team.
A transfer from Florida, Beason stepped into an immediate leadership role in Lincoln. The team captain is contributing a team-leading 3.86 kills per set this season with 2.09 digs per set and a .293 hitting percentage. She was previously named the AVCA Region Player of the Year, as well as All-Big Ten First Team and All-Region Team.
Rodriguez is an All-American for the third time in her career, and on the first team for the second time. She previously was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in her career, and earned AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten First Team honors for the third time. Rodriguez, who averages 3.62 digs and 1.26 assists per set, leads a Husker defense that ranks first nationally in opponent hitting percentage.
The Big Ten Setter of the Year as a freshman, Reilly paces a Husker offense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in hitting percentage (.279) and kills per set (14.06). Just the second true freshman setter to be the starter at Nebraska under head coach John Cook, she also earned All-Big Ten First Team, All-Freshman Team, and AVCA All-Region Team accolades.
The AVCA Region Freshman of the Year and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year also earned All-Big Ten First Team and unanimous All-Freshman Team accolades. She ranks second on the Huskers in kills with 3.23 per set and adds 2.10 digs per set with a team-high 34 service aces.
Pittsburgh, Texas and Stanford joined Nebraska in placing two players on the first team. On Thursday, Nebraska will take on Pittsburgh in the Final Four in Tampa, Florida.
