Nebraska Volleyball Debuts at No. 1 in the Preseason AVCA Coaches Poll

Ahead of the start of the Dani Busboom Kelly era, Nebraska volleyball sits on top of the poll.

The AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll dropped on Wednesday, with the Huskers at No. 1, followed by Penn State, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Texas. The preseason poll debuted on an episode of the Six Rotations podcast.

The top four teams were all in the National Semifinals last year. The rest of the top 10, in order, are Stanford, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, and SMU.

Penn State is the reigning national champion. Despite that, and returning their setter, multiple All-Big Ten selections, and adding All-American Kennedy Martin, the Nittany Lions picked behind the Huskers. Penn State was also picked behind Nebraska in the Big Ten preseason poll.

Nebraska's schedule includes matches against teams ranked 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 23.

Let’s work. #GBR pic.twitter.com/nvGKsIcyRH
— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) August 6, 2025

The Huskers lost all-time digs leader Lexi Rodriguez, as well as outside hitter Merritt Beason. Legendary coach John Cook retired in the spring.

Even with those losses, Nebraska brings in a proven coach in alum Busboom Kelly. The Big Red returns multiple All-Big Ten and All-America selections, including two-time league setter of the year Bergen Reilly. Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray, and middle blocker Andi Jackson were named to the AVCA Player of the Year watchlist last month.

Nebraska opens the 2025 season with the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers will take on Pittsburgh on Aug. 22 and Stanford on Aug. 24.

AVCA Taraflex Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll

Nebraska
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Louisville
Texas
Stanford
Kentucky
Wisconsin
Texas A&M
SMU
Minnesota
Creighton
Arizona State
Kansas
Purdue
Florida
Missouri
UCLA
BYU
Baylor
USC
Georgia Tech
Utah
Dayton
TCU

Nebraska Volleyball 2025 Schedule

Aug. 9 Red-White Scrimmage 2:30 p.m. NPM
Aug. 16 Alumni Match 6 p.m. NPM
Aug. 22 vs. Pittsburgh (AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena) 6 p.m. FOX
Aug. 24 vs. Stanford (AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena) 2:30 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 29 at Lipscomb 6 p.m. ESPN+
Aug. 31 vs. Kentucky (Broadway Block Party in Nashville) 11 a.m. ABC
Sept. 5 vs. Wright State 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. California 1 p.m. BTN
Sept. 12 vs. Utah 6 p.m. FS1
Sept. 13 vs. Grand Canyon 6 p.m. NPM
Sept. 16 at Creighton 6:30 p.m. FS1
Sept. 20 vs. Arizona BTN
Sept. 24 vs Michigan 6 p.m. BTN
Sept. 27 vs. Maryland 3 p.m. NPM
Oct. 3 at Penn State 7 p.m. FOX
Oct. 4 at Rutgers
Oct. 10 vs. Washington 8 p.m. BTN
Oct. 12 at Purdue
Oct. 17 at Michigan State
Oct. 19 at Michigan 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 vs. Northwestern NPM
Oct. 25 vs. Michigan State 7:30 p.m. BTN
Oct. 31 at Wisconsin 8 p.m. BTN
Nov. 2 vs. Oregon 1 p.m. BTN
Nov. 6 vs. Illinois 7 p.m. FS1
Nov. 8 at Minnesota 2:30 p.m. NBC
Nov. 14 at UCLA BTN
Nov. 16 at USC 2 p.m. B1G+
Nov. 20 vs. Iowa FS1
Nov. 22 at Indiana
Nov. 28 vs. Penn State 5:30 p.m. BTN
Nov. 29 vs. Ohio State BTN

Home matches are bolded. All times central.

Have a question or comment for Kaleb? Send an email to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.

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