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That's because Landfair played her first three seasons for the Golden Gophers. While these "reunion" matches are typically less awkward than they seem, Landfair's case is a little different. She was the Big Ten player of the year and first-team All-American in 2022, helping lead Minnesota to the NCAA Sweet 16.

In a climate where transfers are common, first-team All-Americans departing still isn't.

Second-ranked Nebraska plays No. 16 Minnesota at 8 p.m. on Thursday in a match on Big Ten Network.

Landfair expects she’ll be just fine.

“I think it will just be like any other game, honestly,� Landfair said. “I feel like I have no bad blood with any of the girls. So I’m just really excited and eager to kind of do this with my new team and just see how it goes.�

Minnesota (16-8, 9-5 Big Ten) has lost its last two matches, against Oregon and Washington, but has the full attention of the Huskers after wins against Texas and Wisconsin earlier in the season.

Landfair arrived in Lincoln in May and said it’s been a nice start.

“I feel like Lincoln is so welcoming,� Landfair said. “And also my team was super, super welcoming when I came here. And the coaches have done an amazing job of helping me and getting me acclimated and all of that kind of stuff. And also just outside life at Lincoln, people are always coming up to me and are so friendly and so nice.�

Twice during an interview, Landfair brought up how much she’s been helped by Jordan Larson, the Nebraska assistant coach who plays the same position.

After a back-and-forth competition for a starting spot with Lindsay Krause, Landfair has started the past nine matches.

Volleyball can be one of the more difficult sports to be a transfer in, especially when you consider Landfair didn’t have the benefit of being with the Huskers during spring practice, which is often the case for other transfers.

Landfair is trying to implement changes to her hitting and blocking that her new coaches want. At the same time, Bergen Reilly is adjusting to setting Landfair and trying to help her be successful.

“It’s not completely different, but it’s very, very different from what I used to be doing at Minnesota,� Landfair said. “So it’s just learning and then embracing the moment and then taking all of the feedback the best way that I can and trying to make my adjustments quickly.�

On top of that, Landfair said she had to build back the confidence she lost when her final season at Minnesota wasn’t as successful as her earlier seasons. About one month ago is when Landfair really started feeling comfortable playing for Nebraska.

Coach John Cook has noticed that also in recent weeks.

“When you’re somewhere for three years and then switch, everybody adjusts at a different time,� Cook said. “She’s trying to understand what we’re trying to do and we’re trying to make her better and there is always a growth process with that. I think she’s getting more comfortable and in a rhythm with Bergen. It’s good to see. We see it in practice, but you got to see it in games.�

Murray going to next level

Sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray has been one of the Huskers’ most consistent players and leads the teams in kills (274) and ace serves (25). Her hitting percentage of .255 is up 18 points from last season.

It comes after a summer of uncertainty for Murray, who had two legal cases since the end of last season.

“Harper came here wanting to be a great player and I just think that’s what she’s chasing right now,� Cook said. “She’s starting to learn and understand what it takes. That’s what you’re seeing is she’s committed to going down that path and try to be great. She almost lost it all, so I think there is a great motivation for her.�

Serving anomaly

With serving, just when you think you’re dialed, you’ll have a match with 15 serving errors and the fans are groaning again. So Cook is cautious when speaking of serving success.

But it’s worth noting that Nebraska didn’t have a single serving error over 74 attempts during its three-set win against Oregon last week.

You’ll recall that when a few fans thought Nebraska’s season was on the brink after a loss against SMU that serving errors was one of the Huskers’ problems. Now, serving is at times a strength, and Nebraska hasn’t had more than eight serving errors in its last 17 matches.

Cook didn’t make a big deal with the players about going a whole match without a serving error, but he was impressed.

And it wasn’t like the Huskers were sending over easy serves like the underhand serve you did in PE class.

“We gave Oregon fits serving,� Cook said. “I think our team was really focused and did a really good job of executing.�

It was the only time in the past seven seasons that Nebraska didn’t have any serving errors in a match.

Pro team opens training camp

Larson is back to her dual life as a professional player and Nebraska assistant coach. She’s set to play this winter for the Omaha team in the newest professional league in the U.S., League One Volleyball.

The team had its first practice on Tuesday and also includes former Huskers Justine Wong-Orantes and Madi Kubik. Creighton alum Jaali Winters is also on the roster.

Larson will be in Omaha for practice in the morning, and then back to Lincoln for Nebraska’s practice in the afternoon.

Cook is impressed by how Larson wants to be a leader in the sport and try to help professional volleyball get off to a good start here.

“I think there is a bigger picture for her in all of this helping get a pro league going in the U.S,� he said.