After losing to Texas in the 2023 national championship and Penn State in the 2024 national semifinals, Nebraska believed it was finally its turn. This season was supposed to end differently. Instead, history repeated itself.
Entering the regional final, Nebraska was confident. The Cornhuskers had not lost a set since Nov. 14 and were undefeated on the season. This felt like their year — the moment they would finally capture a national championship. Texas A&M, however, had other plans.
Set one opened strong for Nebraska, which jumped out to a 10-3 lead. Texas A&M quickly responded with a 10-0 serving run to flip the momentum. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla helped lead the Aggies to a 20-15 advantage, and an ace by Maddie Waak sealed the opening set for A&M.
Nebraska again took an early lead in set two, but Texas A&M answered with a crucial 4-0 run that included two Waak aces and a solo block from Cos-Okpalla. The run gave the Aggies a 14-11 lead and forced Nebraska to take a timeout. A&M did not slow down, closing the set 25-22 on a powerful kill by Logan Lednicky to take a two-set lead.
Facing elimination, Nebraska responded in set three. The Huskers built an early 10-5 lead, and while Texas A&M tried to close the gap with a four-point run, Nebraska continued to push back. A kill by Harper Murray ended the set and kept Nebraska’s season alive.
The fourth set became the turning point of the match. Texas A&M was one set away from advancing to the Final Four, while Nebraska needed a win to force a fifth set. Nebraska trailed 16-10 early but fought its way back. The set featured 22 ties, 10 set points for Nebraska and four match points for Texas A&M. Refusing to give up, Nebraska survived the marathon set with a 37-35 win to force a decisive fifth set.
Both teams battled for every point in the final set, knowing a trip to Kansas City and the national semifinals was on the line. Texas A&M took an early lead, but Nebraska rallied to keep it close.
With the score tied late, Texas A&M reached match point at 14-13. The arena stood silent as the rally unfolded. Lednicky rose for a final swing, and the ball dropped on Nebraska’s side of the court. Texas A&M had stunned the overall No. 1 seed, advancing to the semifinals.
Aggies players rushed the court in celebration, while Nebraska players stood on the opposite side of the net in tears. Senior Rebekah Allick walked off the court for the final time, ending her college career with 807 kills, 543 blocks and a .450 hitting percentage.
Although the season did not end the way Nebraska hoped, it remained a memorable 2025 campaign. The Cornhuskers finished undefeated through the regular season and postseason, becoming the only unbeaten team in the country.
The season also marked a new era for the program. It was the debut year of head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, who took over following the retirement of legendary coach John Cook. Under her leadership, Nebraska emphasized a mindset of staying in the moment while continuing its tradition of success.
Nebraska finished the 2025 season with a 33-1 record, falling just one win short of its ultimate goal.
