On the brink of history, Nebraska hopes to inspire while feeling grateful
Bekka Allick and Ally Batenhorst couldn't hold their excitement.
The two Nebraska volleyball players couldn't stop "freaking out" when they saw their home court lying inside Memorial Stadium. They even made a few TikToks with their time on the floor as well as pose for a photo promoting the new team poster.
On Wednesday night, Allick and Batenhorst — along with the rest of NU — will experience playing a volleyball match in front of over 90,000 people. But with that comes many challenges. Not only will depth perception be a factor that needs adjusting too, but getting comfortable that everyone will be watching your every move — even if it's just to get a drink of water during a timeout. Plus, there's the weather factor. No rain, thankfully, but a little wind is expected to be present during the match which, in turn, will affect the ball during play.
That should all be figured out when the Huskers practice on the floor before the match, but it's even a privilege to have to worry about things like that. No college volleyball team has ever played a match inside a football stadium. That doesn't escape the players who are fully aware of the opportunity they've been looking forward to since the event was announced in late February.
"Anytime coach (John Cook), he was giving us pep talks about this, like, this is a really big deal. It's almost like, 'You guys really need to understand. You need to be grateful for this because we've had all types of athletes come through.'", Allick said. "I mean, like, why didn't this happen when Jordan Larson was here? Why did this happen? Sarah Pavin. All of these amazing legends and it's us. We got chosen to have this and he pushes it on us everyday. Attitude of gratitude. We don't know when this is gonna happen again, if ever. That's been the biggest thing is staying grounded."
One of the special aspects of Wednesday's match will be the opportunity for Nebraska Volleyball to bring back many of its alumni. Olympians Larson, Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong-Orantes won't in attendance due to training for an Olympic qualifier, but close to 100 alumni will be present.
With volleyball such a hot ticket in the state, this is the first time that the program has been able to bring back such a substantial number of former players.
"I think to myself often with it coming up like why us? Why do I get to be a part of this just because, they've accomplished so many great things. I feel like they even did more than I did at my age and it's like all the cards fell into my favor for me to be able to be a part of this day and the fact that they're all coming to not only just celebrate us but obviously themselves because they are the reason that this program is such a big deal," Allick said. They went and they paved the way. Our goal is just not only to fill their shoes, but to add more hardware onto our shelves. It's about a legacy. This program isn't a joke,. We live it. It's a sisterhood. Once a part of this program, you're always a part of this program. You wear this N with pride and I'm just really grateful."
Being a Lincoln native, Allick has had a clear idea of what Nebraska Volleyball meant to the state since she was little. Despite never attending a football game — she has tailgated outside – it's hard for Allick to envision what she's going to see Wednesday night.
The same goes for captain Merritt Beason who came to Lincoln entering her junior season after spending two years at Florida. Heralding from Alabama, Beason hasn't experienced a Nebraska football game. The reality of Wednesday's scene hasn't hit either player yet, but they'll be ready when it comes.
"It's crazy, and like I said, it's really hard to put into perspective," Beason said. "We've been talking about it for so long. And you just kind of think of it like, 'Oh, it's six months away, four months away. We still have a long time and now it's tomorrow.' It's kind of weird to think about and, like I said, I really don't think it's gonna hit most of us until we walk out there tomorrow to go play. It's just an amazing opportunity for us and for women's sports in general and just the sport of volleyball. Volleyball is growing a ton in the US and I think this is one big stepping stone for volleyball but also women's sports in general. So I think it's a great opportunity, and like I've said before, we're just so grateful to be a part of it."
Even though, not only is Wednesday a chance at growing volleyball in the short term, but also continue that growth for the foreseeable future. 30 to 40 buses full of high school and club volleyball teams around the state are planning to attend the match.
Despite the small population, Nebraska is a hot bed for volleyball recruiting with multiple NCAA legends coming through the Cornhusker state. Head coach John Cook and the Huskers already have a lockdown on the state in terms of recruiting, but they're looking more big picture in regards to inspiring the next generation of athletes.
"That's what we do it for. Ultimately, at the end of the day. I know most people on our team play because someone inspired them. Whoever it was for that person on our team, we get to be that for young girls now," Beason said. "So I think it's so cool for us and I think that's what drives a lot of people on our team is they want to do it for the person after us. I think it's super cool for us to be able to, obviously, be in this environment, but for so many young girls to be able to be here and to share the experience with us like I said. The Bob is obviously very hard to get into, so I'm glad that lots of young girls are able to come and watch a match and you know, be a part of something crazy that's about to happen."
For Allick, she wasn't really thinking too much about volleyball when she was 10. Instead, she was busy "Minecrafting". But to her, this event is massive for another reason. With volleyball growing in popularity around the country — including the NCAA national championship being on ESPN this year — Wednesday's event provides an opportunity to show just how cherished women athletes are in Nebraska and how other states should follow suit. So instead of those 10-year-olds playing Minecraft, they'll pick up a volleyball.
"It's just something special about this state and how they appreciate women's sports," Allick said. "They treat us like any other athlete and that's really what all women athletes ask for. It's not like, 'Oh, I'm a woman athlete.' No, I'm an athlete. That's how they see us. We work out butt off and we get appreciated for it."