Lexi Rodriguez mentioned just how much the Nebraska Huskers meant to her when they lost the 2024 NCAA Championship semifinals against Penn State. 2024 was the final chance for the 21-year-old to win a national title as a graduate student. However, despite being inconsolable with the loss to Penn State, Rodriguez thanks the Huskers program for all her achievements.

“I wanted to say thank you one last time. The past four years have been better than I could have ever imagined,” Rodriguez confessed during the post-match press conference, struggling to hold back tears. However, fast-forward nearly a month, and college volleyball is ready to leave the past behind to chase bigger dreams.

Lexi Rodriguez is looking ahead to the grandest stage of them all

The Illinois native continued to credit the Nebraska Huskers for helping her achieve a legendary college volleyball career. “I had a great career at Nebraska, and I was able to accomplish amazing things that I never really imagined were possible,” said the first Libero to win the Regional Player of the Year. “But now it’s like, ‘Okay, now I’m entering a new space, kind of a new start,'” Rodriguez said during On the Block with Strick and Austin.

The four-time All-American said, “All the experiences I’ve had at Nebraska, I think, have helped prepare me for the next chapter,” while appearing on 93.7 The Ticket sports radio channel. However, now that the volleyball icon has signed with League One Volleyball, believes it’s better not to get stuck on the achievements of the past. And what are those dreams?

Well, considering women’s pro volleyball didn’t even exist in 2023, Rodriguez didn’t have the dream of earning the LOVB or PVF title growing up. However, turning pro has taken the first 2024 BIG10 Libero of the Year one step closer to the ultimate stage. “I think as soon as I got to college, I always wanted to play in the Olympics one day,” the Huskers digs record holder confessed.

And while the Libero didn’t have a pro league to dream about, it didn’t take the volleyball icon to add those goals to her list. “I have new goals. I have new things I want to accomplish, and so it’s kind of taking it with the first start,” added the LOVB Omaha defensive specialist. However, Rodriguez has yet to take that leap.

When will the Libero make her much-awaited debut?

Lexi Rodriguez joining LOVA Omaha came as a pleasant surprise for the volleyball community. Watching the college volleyball icon cry after a disappointing end to her college career, many thought the 21-year-old would take time to bounce back. However, watching the Libero continue to play for a Nebraska team had fans excited about the defensive specialist’s pro debut.

The LOVB was well aware of the hype the announcement would receive, and so they directly addressed the Huskers fans. “Your queen isn’t going anywhere. Please join us in welcoming @Alexis14Rod to the LOVB Omaha roster,” LOVB Omaha posted on X. However, when the Omaha roster took to the court on January 11, Lexi Rodriguez was absent.

Despite the LOVB Omaha rosters’ dominant performance against Houston at the Fort Bend County Epicenter, Rodriguez didn’t even play as a substitute like her former Huskers teammate Ally Batenhorst did for her PVF debut with the Omaha Supernovas. However, with no news of any injuries, it’s safe to assume that the LOVB is simply saving the player.

Lexi Rodriguez’s team’s next match is against Madison at the Wisconsin Field House on January 18. And while Nebraska fans may finally get to see Rodriguez in action, she may also make her debut at Omaha’s home ground. That’s because LOVB Omaha will once again take on Madison in their home debut at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha. Yet no matter when the two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year makes her debut, she’ll play to reach even bigger goals.