The collegiate volleyball scene of the country is undergoing tectonic shifts as the new season looms overhead. For the Nebraska Huskers, looking forward to the next NCAA season is filled with excitement, given how close they came to winning the title the last time. However, it seems like the team has a lot of obstacles to work through as one of their key players is set to leave the Nebraska-Lincoln campus this May.

While many volleyball players eye overseas opportunities as their next career step, Nebraska’s outside hitter Ally Batenhorst is convinced to find her calling somewhere else within the country. The 2023 All-Academic Big Ten honoree has announced her decision to leave behind the volleyball powerhouse to hone her vocation elsewhere and fans are in two minds on how to take the announcement.

Huskers volleyball darling announces departure

With a career-high 196 kills this season, Batenhorst has been one of the Huskers’ key players during her time at Nebraska-Lincoln. However, in a recent post on Instagram, the Nebraska junior has revealed that she will enter the transfer portal to look for a program where she can play both indoor as well as beach volleyball. “Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the unconditional support from my family, friends, my teammates, my coaches, the staff, and husker nation“, wrote Ally in her post.

The Nebraska volleyball team ended the previous season with an impressive 33-2 record and Ally thinks bidding goodbye to such a squad “was one of the hardest decisions” she’s had to make. Batenhrost will be pursuing her master’s degree in Communication Studies in her new college.

The spring camp of the Huskers is scheduled to begin soon with the students returning, but keeping the attack as precise and effective without the 6-foot-5 outside hitter will be a daunting task for the Huskers even before the official start of the new season. Her decision to depart the Nebraska-Lincoln campus has been met with teary goodbyes from her fans and Huskers loyalists.

Fans come forward with supportive words

For one of Batenhorst’s loyal fans, seeing Ally go is a tough pill to swallow. With a heavy heart, a fan commented, “…continue to be great!!”  Terri, on the other hand, is convinced that great things await the young player, and she wrote, “You are going to do great wherever you go!!!!”

Read more: Texas Longhorns Coach Sets Sights on Strengthening USA’s Olympic Aspirations Following NCAA Triumph

Ally’s announcement also seems to make her mother proud, as the senior Batenhorst commented, “My baby making grown up decisions!” One other fan had to shoot her shot trying to coax Ally to join another national elite group of players, “Badger volleyball perhaps?” Now, with her decision to enter the transfer portal, Batenhorst is all girded up to choose the turf where she can play both indoor and beach volleyball.

Watch this story: The Double-Attack of US Women’s Beach Volleyball Team on Sand Advances Them to the Prestigious World Championship Quarterfinals