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 season, 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.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
Brent Wagner
Husker volleyball/women's basketball reporter
