With 5½ weeks left in the college volleyball season, the top contenders for national player of the year have emerged — and the group includes two Nebraska players.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association has announced a list of 14 semifinalists for player of the year. Nebraska’s Lexi Rodriguez and Bergen Reilly each made the list, as did Creighton’s Kendra Wait.
The list is a reminder of the elite players Nebraska fans get to watch each year, with two players from Nebraska and seven players from teams the Huskers have played this season.
The finalists will be announced during NCAA Final Four week, and the winner announced on Dec. 20. Players who aren’t semifinalists can still be added to the list of finalists in December.
It’s worth noting that the player of the year is almost always on one of the teams that make the Final Four.
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Here are the semifinalists
Creighton: setter Kendra Wait.
Florida: right-side hitter Kennedy Martin.
Kansas: setter Camryn Turner.
Louisville: libero Elena Scott.
Nebraska: setter Bergen Reilly, libero Lexi Rodriguez.
Penn State: outside hitter Jess Mruzik.
Pittsburgh: right-side hitter Olivia Babcock, setter Rachel Fairbanks, outside hitter Torrey Stafford.
Purdue: outside hitter Eva Hudson.
Stanford: setter Kami Miner.
TCU: outside hitter Melanie Parra.
Wisconsin: outside hitter Sarah Franklin.
Photos: Nebraska volleyball hosts Minnesota — Nov. 14
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) sets the ball during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) smile after an ace serve during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) speaks to Head Coach John Cook during the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska Head Coach John Cook looks on during the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Kennedi Orr (9) serves during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska celebrates during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Taylor Landfair (12) gets hit in the face with the volleyball during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Taylor Landfair (12) cheers after a challenge was confirmed during the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Lexi Rodriguez (8) and Olivia Mauch (10) share a laugh during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Andi Jackson (15) spikes the ball while blocked by Minnesota's Calissa Minatee (8) during the fourth set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Harper Murray (27) spikes the ball while defended by Minnesota's Lydia Grote (9) during the fourth set of the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Andi Jackson (15) spikes the ball during the third set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) digs the ball during third set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) serves the ball during the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Taylor Landfair (right) spikes the ball while blocked by Minnesota's Phoebe Awoleye (left) and Alex Acevedo (center) during the third set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Laney Choboy (6) digs the ball during the third set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Rebekah Allick (5) spikes the ball over Minnesota's Alex Acevedo (21) during the third set of the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) and Nebraska's Rebekah Allick (5) block against Minnesota's Alex Acevedo (21) during the third set of the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) and Andi Jackson (15) block against Minnesota's Julia Hanson (22) during the third set of the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska celebrates a kill by Andi Jackson (right) during the second set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (left) and Rebekah Allick block during the second set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (center) and Bergen Reilly (2) celebrate a block by Andi Jackson (left) during the second set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) digs the ball during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) sets the ball during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) celebrates during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) serves during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) serves during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Harper Murray (27) wears tape on her fingers with the numbers 8, 27 and initials JC written on them before the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska celebrates winning set three of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska and Minnesota play a match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
during the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) digs the ball during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Olivia Mauch (10) digs the ball during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Rebekah Allick (5) blocks against Minnesota's Phoebe Awoleye (7) during the first set of the match on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska celebrates during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (right) hits past Minnesota's Phoebe Awoleye (7) and Lydia Grote (9) during the second set Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly passes the ball against Minnesota on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska celebrates a kill by Taylor Landfair (12) during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center.
Nebraska's Rebekah Allick (5) blocks against Minnesota's Phoebe Awoleye (7) during the first set of the match on Thursday at the Bob Devaney Center.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
Brent Wagner
Husker volleyball/women's basketball reporter
