When the words ‘volleyball’ and ‘Nebraska’ are spoken in the same sentence, it’s hard to keep Lexi Rodriguez out of the picture. The former Huskers captain is sort of a legend on the hallowed Lincoln grounds, and it’s understandable that matching her stature is an almost impossible thing to pull off. But hey, there’s no harm in going for it!

With 1,897 career digs as a Husker, Rodriguez has cemented herself as one of the most prolific Husker volleyball stars of all time. However, her skills managed to transcend beyond Nebraska and leave an impression on the international stage as well. With multiple accolades with several U.S. national teams (U18 & U21), Lexi has set a benchmark that would probably need you to sell your soul to the devil to replicate. However, one of her former colleagues seems to be at least on the right path.

The “Voice of Husker Nation”, Hail Varsity, took to X on May 20 to share emphatic news of how one of the Huskers’ own stands on the edge of finding national success, much like Lexi Rodriguez before her. “Former Nebraska volleyball captain Merritt Beason is one of 18 players selected to train with the U23 national team,” reads the caption of the social media post, and that’s our cue to start the celebrations, fellow Huskers loyalists!

“Twelve players make the roster that will represent the U.S. at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup July 25 to Aug. 2 in Mexico,” Hail Varsity further notes what’s on the line for Beason. It is also interesting to note that Rodriguez has also had her fair share of NORCECA experience. Right after her junior season in 2023, Lexi went on to win silver with the U.S. National Team at the NORCECA Final Six in the Dominican Republic.

While Beason’s resume isn’t as stacked as Lexi’s, it’s still safe to say her feats speak for themselves. Merritt, the 2022 U21 Pan Am Cup MVP, will join 17 other players for the training camp in Anaheim, California. Beason also has a NORCECA (silver) under her belt, making her claim to make it to the national team only stronger.

What could also make it more hopeful for Lexi Rodriguez’s former teammate is that Kayla Banwarth will be the assistant head coach for the U23 squad. Banwarth is the current head coach of the Atlanta Vibe, the Pro Volleyball Federation franchise, where Beason has already made a name for herself. With 95 kills, averaging 3.17 kills per set, 6 service aces, and 108 total points, the opposite hitter made her pro rookie season one to remember.

But with all the success coming Merritt’s way, are we really surprised? In November last year, Scott Beason, the ex-Nebraska star’s dad, confessed that they always knew great things would come to his kid. “Even when she was little, she’s always been a worker. I’m not surprised (about her success) based on her work ethic,” Scott said with a proud undertone to his voice that could hardly be overlooked. But while Merritt waits to see what fate has in store for her, Lexi Rodriguez has big dreams for herself as well.

Lexi Rodriguez looks forward to netting a bigger fish

Like Beason, 2024 was the year when Lexi also made her pro debut. Being drafted by LOVB Omaha meant Rodriguez could keep staying in the same state, which has brought her uncharted volleyball glory. However, her debut kept getting delayed. Being a libero in the team that has Olympic gold medalist Justin Wong-Orantes could never bode well, and Rodriguez was no exception.

In order to give Wong-Ornates more play time, LOVB Omaha kept using Lexi Rodriguez as a bench warmer. Naturally, fans could hardly get on board with the fact that an incredible athlete such as Lexi wasn’t getting to show her incredible talents on the court. Thankfully, though, she didn’t have to spend the entire season on the sidelines, and ultimately did manage to play in several matches in the first professional season.

And now, Lexi awaits something even bigger than all she has achieved so far. Lexi Rodriguez has been named in the thirty-player pool for the Volleyball Nations League Team. Only 14 players will make the final team and compete in the preliminary rounds in June, and seeing her long and bountiful career, one can probably rest easy knowing that Lexi Rodriguez will definitely make the team.

Pretty good time to be a Huskers fan, right? You betcha! Which of these two stars are you most excited to see spread their wings with their respective national teams? Tell us!