Just a few weeks ago, USC volleyball made a statement by taking down their cross-town rivals, UCLA, with a flawless 3-0 sweep. The Trojans didn’t just win; they dominated, sending the Bruins home with no answers. The star of the show? None other than former Nebraska Husker Ally Batenhorst, who brought the heat and led the team with an unforgettable performance. The outside hitter was on fire, smashing 16 kills and posting an impressive 0.536 hitting percentage.

Ally Batenhorst’s relentless effort didn’t just power her team to victory—it earned her a special honor. On November 4, the Big Ten announced its weekly volleyball awards, and Ally was named Player of the Week (POTW), marking a historic first as the first USC player to snag the honor. And it seems like Ally’s star is only getting brighter as she continues to shine for the Trojans!

On November 17, Lincoln Arneal, who covers Nebraska volleyball for HIllustrated, took to X to share an exciting moment from USC women’s volleyball as the Trojans pulled off a thrilling victory against No. 11 Oregon. In a nail-biting 3-2 finish (20-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, Ally Batenhorst once again made her presence felt in a major way.

Arneal shared the post with a caption that said, “Ally Batenhorst with the final kill to lift No. 23 USC to a 16-14 victory in the fifth set over No. 11 Oregon for a reverse sweep.” Batenhorst’s outstanding performance included 18 kills and 10 digs, helping the Trojans complete a comeback for the ages. Adonia Faumuina added 17 kills to the win, while Oregon’s Colyer led the Ducks with 23 kills. What a moment for Ally, proving once again why she’s a force to be reckoned with!

Avid Volley, a dedicated volleyball page, also shared the exciting news on X, capturing the drama of USC’s big win. The post was captioned, “Top 15 dub to end the weekend>> Ally Batenhorst & USC take down #11 Oregon in five sets,” showcasing Ally’s standout stats from the game. With her game-changing performance, it was clear that Ally Batenhorst wasn’t just playing—she was commanding the court, leading the Trojans to a thrilling victory. What a way to finish the weekend! In a thrilling showdown at Galen Center on Sunday, Nov. 17, the No. 23-ranked USC women’s volleyball team secured a heart-pounding 3-2 victory over No. 11 Oregon.

With set scores of 20-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, and 16-14, the Trojans clinched their fifth five-set win in seven full-length matches this fall. It also marked their second win over a top-15 AVCA opponent. The Trojans were sharp on service aces, leading 9-6, and edged Oregon in digs, 66-65. Despite getting out-blocked 21-12, USC showed grit, recording their 17th match with double-digit blocks. But here’s the emotional twist: for Ally Batenhorst, a senior, this was one of her final games in a USC jersey. Known for her fierce performances, Ally couldn’t help but feel the weight of her last season as she opened up about it previously.

Ally Batenhorst’s one last ride with the Trojans!

Yes, you heard it right! But Ally Batenhorst isn’t quite ready to face the reality that her college volleyball journey is nearing its end. The emotions hit hard when she posted a TikTok video on November 11, where she humorously acted out her college experience. In the video, she introduces herself as a college volleyball player, only for the imaginary person to remind her, “You’re done in a month.” Ally, visibly emotional, responds, “I still play volleyball (crying emoji).” She captioned it with a heartfelt message, “No way, it’s almost over🥺🥺 still can’t process being a senior.” It’s clear that the end of this chapter, especially with all her accomplishments, is something Ally is still grappling with.

Having left Nebraska after a stellar career, Ally played a pivotal role in Nebraska’s two NCAA runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2023. She then transferred to USC to continue her volleyball career and focus on her future. Ally made it clear in January that her decision to move was rooted in thinking about what’s next. She wrote on Instagram, “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I have decided that this is what’s best for me personally.” Though her decision was difficult, it was motivated by her desire to pursue more opportunities—both in volleyball and beyond.

After all, the state of California opened doors to a professional career in volleyball and other fields like media, something she had her sights set on from the beginning. Ally has her future mapped out, with many paths ahead of her. Beyond volleyball, she’s made a name for herself on social media, with over 177,000 followers on TikTok and 102,000 on Instagram. Her location in California puts her in the perfect position to dive into the influencer world, should she choose that route. With a master’s degree also on her horizon, Ally’s options are endless. One thing’s for sure—her legacy at NCAA volleyball will remain, no matter what direction she chooses next.