After the conclusion of the 2023 NCAA finals, the landscape of the Nebraska Huskers Division 1 women’s volleyball team has experienced a significant shift as multiple players have chosen to explore new opportunities by entering the off-season transfer portal. Notably, three key contributors who played pivotal roles in securing the Huskers’ position in the finals have decided to pursue different paths.

Despite the disappointment of Nebraska’s defeat at the hands of the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA season, the team is poised for potential gains through strategic off-season trades. Adding intrigue to the mix, a seasoned outside hitter from Minnesota has also thrown her hat into the trade portal, signaling the possibility of valuable acquisitions to bolster the team’s future prospects.

A golden chance for the Nebraska Huskers?

Middle blocker Maggie Mendelson, a standout player for the Nebraska Huskers, has made a significant move by entering the trade portal. This development represents a notable setback for the Huskers, given Mendelson’s status as a national-level player during her high school years. Her departure leaves a noticeable void in the team, and the impact of losing such a talented player is undoubtedly a challenge for the Huskers to address.

Nevertheless, amidst this setback, there are rays of optimism for Nebraska. The challenges posed by her departure may become catalysts for the team’s growth and adaptation, presenting an opportunity for emerging players to make their mark on the Nebraska Huskers’ volleyball legacy.

Taylor Landfair of the Minnesota Golden Gophers has shocked the NCAA Volleyball fandom by entering the trade portal. Landfair is easily one of the best players Minnesota has. The outside hitter reached 1000 kills in 2023 in her fourth year with the Golden Gophers. Moreover, she has great stats and is a 3x All Big Ten first-team member.

The Nebraska Huskers have lost two outside hitters alongside Mendelson to the trade portal. Thus, while the team already needs to fill that gap, a player as good as Landfair would be perfect. But, while the Minnesota player has a good profile, she underperformed in 2023 compared to 2022.

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The ambiguity surrounding Taylor Landfair

In 2022, Taylor Landfair was on fire. She bagged several major honors, including the AVCA All-American first-team membership. However, the subsequent year, 2023, witnessed a somewhat subdued performance from the dynamic outside hitter.

In contrast to her impressive record of 479 kills across 31 matches in the previous season, Landfair registered 361 kills in 30 matches this time around. This statistical dip raises questions about whether she can maintain the role of the definitive offensive spear that the Nebraska Huskers may be seeking.

But, although her number of kills has decreased, the Minnesota star has spread her net wider in 2023. The number of digs she secured this season is a staunch 229 compared to last year when she had just 179 digs. This can be an advantage for the Cornhuskers.

Currently, the Nebraska Huskers stand as a defense-heavy team. It is also possible that Landfair can do a lot more for Nebraska along with Bergen Reilly than she could with Minnesota. Do you think Taylor Landfair’s trade would help the Huskers to make their defense strong?

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