Nebraska Volleyball Seniors Put Fifth-Year Option on Standby With Focus on 2026

When someone says “college volleyball,” most people’s minds automatically shift to one team in the country: The Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, despite prominent success, a large accumulation of talent and one of the most recognized brands in all of NCAA volleyball, the Huskers haven’t raised an NCAA championship banner since 2017. With their star-studded core entering their senior seasons, there is a strong chance this could be a make-or-break year for Nebraska.

Nebraska has arguably the best roster top to bottom in the NCAA when you account for their current starting lineup, bench players, and incoming recruits. Their senior class of stars including Harper Murray, Andi Jackson, Bergen Reilly, and Laney Choboy takes the spotlight for the 2026 season.

5-For-5 Model

These four Husker seniors face a unique decision following the new five-for-five model adopted by NCAA legislature on June 23, 2026. The model altered the old format "permitting Division I student-athletes up to five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday. The new rule streamlines a significant portion of the Division I rule book by eliminating season-of-competition limits, sport-specific eligibility and redshirt rules, and eligibility extension waivers" per the NCAA.

When asked about potentially returning for another year, here’s what the four student athletes had to say.

Andi Jackson

“I haven't really thought about it much,” Jackson said in an interview with KTV’s Randy Silver. “I didn't want to stress myself out with it, just with everything going on until it officially got passed. So it's definitely something that I've spent more time thinking about and something I'm definitely open to. So we'll just see what happens.”

Laney Choboy

"It's not something that I ever thought that I would have," Choboy said when asked about returning. "Nebraska has been a great program to be at and I've had so much fun these last four years, but I've had so much fun the last four years. I'm grateful for the decision, but it's definitely a lot to think about."

Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly

Neither Murray nor Reilly have openly discussed their plans on returning for the 2027 season. Reilly was very adamant on focusing on this season, stating "We love that people have confidence in us, but it's also just some outside noise. We want to go in every day and have a chip on our shoulder and prove ourselves,” when asked about Nebraska entering the 2026 season as the top-ranked squad.

Though this may create some excitement for fans that hope to see their favorite players come back for another year, it also creates some roster implications regarding the players who sit behind those stars.

Campbell Flynn

One of those players is Campbell Flynn. Flynn, who was a freshman last year, came to Nebraska from Oakland, Mich., where she was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2024 and the number one setting recruit in the country.

Before the five-for-five rule was implemented, Flynn was expected to take a redshirt year to preserve an extra year of eligibility. Now she is able to play this year for the Huskers without worrying about future availability.

The Huskers will enter the 2026 season as the No. 1 team in the country as they kick off their quest for their first national championship since 2017 with a match against the Florida Gators at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 27 in Arlington, Texas.

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