LINCOLN — The head coach is different but the situation at outside hitter should be the same for the Nebraska volleyball team.
If one of the starting outside hitters isn’t playing well during a match, new head coach Dani Busboom Kelly should have options on the bench. That might also be true at right-side hitter.
Last year at outside hitter playing were Harper Murray, Taylor Landfair and Lindsay Krause.
Krause has graduated, but now in play at outside hitter along with Murray and Landfair are redshirt freshman Skyler Pierce and true freshman Teraya Sigler. Sigler enrolled early to practice with the Huskers this spring.
They might all get a chance to play on Saturday when the Huskers take on Kansas in the first of two spring matches. The 7 p.m. match at the Devaney Sports Center is televised on Big Ten Network, with a crowd of more than 7,000 expected.
Sigler appears ready to play early in her career, but the first time former head coach John Cook watched Sigler during the recruiting process, he needed to see more.
“I wasn’t sold on her right then, but when they won (Junior Olympics) two years ago, she put on a show. It was pretty impressive,” Cook said.
Sigler ended up being ranked the No. 1 national recruit by PrepDig.com.
Busboom Kelly had known of Sigler, too, but hadn’t watched her as closely. Now she’s glad she’ll get to coach her.
“She’s super-competitive and just a great six-rotation player,” Busboom Kelly said. “I didn’t really watch her for the last year and a half of her prep season because she was already committed here. So I wasn’t super-familiar with how she progressed. But she’s been fantastic. She’s just a great player and has great energy and somebody who has the ability and emotional capacity to go hard every single day.”
It’s certain Nebraska will have a new right-side hitter due to the graduation of Merritt Beason.
Freshman right-side hitter Ryan Hunter graduated from high school early and joined the Huskers for spring practice. She’s come back well from a knee injury that forced her to miss her final high school season.
“She’s been healthy and hasn’t missed a practice, and hasn’t even missed a rep in a practice for her knee. So that’s a great sign for her,” Busboom Kelly said.
Hunter was seen as more of a developmental project than some of Nebraska’s top recruits but had so much potential that NU had to see what she could do at the college level.
“She hits hard, and she’s really physical,” Busboom Kelly said. “If she has an open net she’s going to get a kill. She’s a great athlete and she’s going to be fun to watch develop.”
Another right-side hitter, Baylor transfer Allie Sczech, will join the Huskers this summer.
The other freshmen who enrolled early are setter Campbell Flynn and defensive specialist Keri Leimbach.
The freshmen got a taste of playing for the Huskers during a scrimmage against Omaha. Now it goes to another level on Saturday with an exhibition match.
“For me, I think the coolest part was seeing the freshmen get to play in a real match,” Murray said. “Obviously we play six-on-six every day, but for them, I know it’s kind of a special moment to put that jersey on.”
Briefly
* For Saturday’s match, Cook will provide analysis on the TV broadcast.
* Former Oregon coach Matt Ulmer is in his first year as head coach at Kansas, replacing the recently retired Ray Bechard. Kansas’ top four point scorers and starting setter graduated from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, and her family, husband Lane Kelly and son, Boone, during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans line up for the introduction of new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, speaks during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans watch on during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
John Cook, former head coach, waves to the crowd during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
The new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly speaks at an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans watch as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Husker volleyball players watch as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans watch as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen speaks during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, speaks during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, speaks during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
John Cook, former head coach, speaks during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, poses for photos with her family during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, poses for photos with Kristen Brown, deputy athletic director/senior woman administrator, and Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen after an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, poses for photos with a group of students from Freeman Public Schools during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Dani Busboom Kelly, Nebraska’s new volleyball head coach, poses for photos with a group of students from Freeman Public Schools during an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook watches as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
The new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly speaks at an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s former head coach John Cook walks on the floor at the introduction ceremony for the new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans line up for the introduction of new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Ava Meints, 11 of Adams, wears a sweatshirt with the letters DBK while waiting in line for the introduction of the new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Alaya Roberts and Romyn Robinson talk to a group of cheerleaders before the introduction of the new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
A fan walks across the floor before the introduction of the new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans line up for the introduction of new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans line up for the introduction of new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Carol Jobman, of Hickman, Doreen Ideus, of Beatrice, and Melanie Wiggins, of Lincoln, take a photo with Herby Husker before the introduction of new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Confetti is shot in the air as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
The new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly speaks at an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans watch as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Kristen Brown, Nebraska’s deputy athletic director and senior woman administrator speaks at the introduction ceremony for the new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans watch as new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans take a picture with new Nebraska volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly at an introduction ceremony at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or [email protected]. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
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