“The AVCA is pleased to reveal its preseason watchlist for the 2025 Division 1 Player of the Year Award,” said the AVCA spokesperson while announcing the first set of 10 players on the list. So far, the AVCA has released 20 names, with the final set of 10 awaiting publication. However, of all the colleges making it to that list, Nebraska volleyball has surpassed even the 2024 champions.

Among the different D1 colleges with multiple players on the list, including champions Penn State, the Huskers have the lead. Outside hitter Harper Murray, middle blocker Andi Jackson, and setter Berger Reilly have made it to the list. “They are joined in the 2nd group of nominees,” Huskers reporter Lincoln Arneal wrote on his X. And the timing couldn’t be any better.

NCAA stars “DeLeye & Hudson (Kentucky), Washington (LSU), Heredia Colon (Miami), Rubin (Stanford), Kerr (Tenn) and Gibadlo (Utah),” have joined the Huskers on the AVCA POTY list. However, in an interesting coincidence, all three Nebraska volleyball stars who made the list are also conducting a massive volleyball youth camp. So just how big is it?

Well, in two sessions so far, over a thousand kids have already attended the two-day camp at Lincoln, Nebraska. Harper Murray shared Charlie Grayson Sheppard’s story from the camp. “Session 1. 600 kids for Nebraska VB Stars,” read the closed captions of the Instagram story. The second story revealed that “400+” kids attended session 2, and that’s just half of it.

“It was even more than expected,” Bergen Reilly told KETV after her experience coaching the young campers. Then again, she wasn’t in disbelief. “I’m not surprised that this many people actually were here, too, just because it’s Nebraska and we have the best fans in the country,” said the Nebraska volleyball star. In fact, they didn’t even plan to run the camp for two days.

After over a thousand girls attended the camp on day 1, NU decided to add another day. So, with two more sessions lined up, KETV projected thousands more would join. That being said, Murray, Reilly, and Jackson have a long way to go before making the final AVCA POY list.

The Nebraska volleyball stars have to go through multiple hoops

While the three Huskers stars are the most athletes from a single university on the list, it’s just the start. After all, the AVCA spokesperson did say that this was just the preseason list. While making it to the list alone means you’re among the standout players among the already elite D1 athletes, this list could look completely different by the end of the season.

After all, where each player ends up in contention for the AVCA Player of the Year will depend on their season performance. The AVCA doesn’t just consider exceptional performance on the court but also the athlete’s leadership qualities. Take last year’s AVCA Player of the Year, Olivia Babcock. Not only did he achieve the No. 1 ranking, but she also led Pitt volleyball to a 33-2 season record.

Thankfully, the Nebraska volleyball stars will mature into leaders of their squad this year. Last year, they looked to seniors like Lexi Rodriguez and Merritt Beason for guidance. However, with those veterans graduating, Murray, Reilly, and Jackson will be among those leading the charge. In fact, new head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is already experimenting with their roles.

That being said, over the course of the season, the AVCA will add to and finally narrow down the pool of 30 athletes. Midseason additions to the list will come in October, semifinalists will be revealed in November, followed by the finalists in December, before only one will become Player of the Year. Will the Huskers volleyball stars survive? Tell us what you feel in the comments.