Nebraska was efficient as they beat Wright State 25-16, 25-16 and 25-20 in the opening match in the Bob Devaney Sports Center for the 2025 volleyball season. Coach Busboom Kelly used a varied line up in this match against their Horizon League opponent. We saw freshman Manaia Ogbechie in the middle rather than Rebekah Allick tonight. Ogbechie gained experience while Allick gained some rest.
Ogbechie was great with eight kills on 12 attempts hitting .583 tonight. She added five blocks to her night. These
stats make it easy to give her the A rating and know she is standing ready for her next big moment.
Tonight, we also saw Skyler Pierce on the outside pin. While experience in matches like tonight are preparation for the future, her role in this moment, on this team became clearer against Kentucky. Pierce is the sub that Coach Busboom Kelly will use to get the Huskers a kill in rotation one when Allie Szcech (left-handed) is left front. It is harder for a left-handed player to earn kills on the left side of the court (the ball has to cross her body which makes the play more difficult).
When Nebraska gets stuck in this rotation, Pierce will be subbed in for offense on the left side. She must get a kill and get the team out of that rotation. While this sub moment for Pierce is short and seemingly small, rotation one is a beast and this team’s ability to side out in rotation one may prove monumental in pivotal matches.
Nebraska returns to the Bob on Sunday against California. Sunday’s match will be at 1:00pm and will be televised on B1G Network.
