As Skyler Pierce was seen hovering around the “Bob” in a boot last Saturday, Dani Busboom Kelly later revealed that Pierce had a “a minor injury.” With the head coach not making the effort to delve too deeply into the matter, fans were sure that the 6-foot-2 outside hitter would soon be back on the roster, helping the team continue its incredible 2025 campaign. But as DBK’s girls met Michigan State on the road, she couldn’t help but note her blindsided feelings seeing the freshman still not back to full health.

Huskers Illustrated’s Lincoln Arneal took to X on October 17 to share Busboom Kelly’s update on the star OH. “NU coach Dani Busboom Kelly said Skyler Pierce is not available tonight against Michigan State.” “Busboom Kelly said she’s a little surprised she not back from injury, but they wanted to play it safe,” Arneal wrote further.

Pierce injured her ankle during a practice session and has been out of the team while the team bagged three straight sweeping victories in a row. However, it’s worth noting that Pierce was a redshirt freshman for last year and had limited playing opportunities in 2024. Obviously, considering how much the Olathe Northwest alum was excited to play for the Huskers, she wouldn’t want to miss a single chance to lend her skills to Busboom Kelly’s squad this time around.

“Nebraska was the place I wanted to be,” Skyler said last year, after Dani Busboom Kelly’s predecessor, John Cook, roped in the former to play for the Nebraska volleyball program. The OH also noted how the proximity of the Lincoln campus to her family also prompted her to pick NU over the other colleges.  Obviously, DBK’s “surprise” at seeing how Skyler’s enthusiasm to be part of the Big Red isn’t pushing her to get back to full health isn’t misplaced.

But fear not. Pierce’s connection with her teammates is strong and they will undoubtedly help her to get back into the thick of things as soon as possible. “I built those connections with the coaches, the girls really early on. I kind of fell in love with the coaches, the atmosphere in Nebraska. And then the girls were amazing. Every time I came, they were so loving and so open to me,” she had said previously about how she felt at home in the locker room.

But then again, it’s not like not having Pierce playing will concern Busboom Kelly too much.

Dani Busboom Kelly wouldn’t need to deviate from her plans

After Coach Cook led the Huskers for twenty-five long years, his former protege and Nebraska alum Busboom Kelly took over the program in January this year. While many fans were worried about whether the former Louisville head coach would be able to fill Cook’s big shoes, DBK revealed what would help her in the objective. “Well, you know, Taylor Landfair is back. And Skylar Pierce is back. She redshirted last year. And then we have Teraya Siegler, who’s a freshman, who was here in the spring. So I’ve gotten to work with all three of them quite a bit… they’re very different in their skill set. But they’re all very talented,” she said earlier this year about how she had a lot of options to choose from.

Naturally, with so many athletes to pick from, some Nebraska loyalists were again debating whether the vastness of the talent pool would confuse Busboom Kelly. Last month, the head coach sought to put an end to the discussions, noting that almost all players in her roster has the capabilities of starting any game, depending how she strategized her gameplan based on the opponents.

The Huskers are sitting comfortably on a flawless 17-0 (7-0 Big Ten) overall record. They continue their journey on the road as the Michigan Wolverines wait to welcome Dani Busboom Kelly & Co. on Sunday. Do you think Skyler will be back for the match or will the coach have to place her faith on Teraya Sigler or Taylor Landfair once again?