Receiving some positive news before an important exam can significantly lift one’s spirits. Fortunately, for Bergen Reilly, there is more than one good news to keep her elated. First, on December 3, the Huskers’ sophomore found herself on the All-Big Ten first team. She shared the space with four of her teammates. And there was another accolade waiting for her. The Big Ten volleyball lauded Bergen’s effort as the setter. Throughout the regular season, she showed herself in her top form. The result? Nebraska Huskers are in the NCAA volleyball contest and Reilly is Big Ten Setter of the Year. 

Well, she is the first Husker to grab the title multiple times. Last year, she had the same crown. So it is all about the 19-year-old setter at the moment. Hold on, there was another piece of good news. Like the mentioned ones, it didn’t give a title to her, though. But she earned a moment to spend with her known ones before entering her second NCAA contest.

Bergen Reilly feels excited after meeting with old colleagues 

On December 6, Nebraska volleyball will start its journey in the NCAA volleyball championship, facing Florida A&M. Being the top seed in Region 2, the camp has the vital responsibility to host the first and second-round games. Among those games, a sizable part will be hosted on the Huskers’s home turf in Lincoln. This number includes the Huskers’ own games and a few others. The good news is the possible opponent, South Dakota State, will also play in the same arena. Now, before facing SDSU, Bergen Reilly had something to fill her heart with positivity.

In the press conference held on December 5, the sophomore admitted, “It’s just kind of cool to see how excited people get to even just practice in the Devaney like they were so excited for practice today cuz they got to be involved. So yeah, it just kind of reminds me how special it is here and how good we have it, but I’m excited for them.” The lines were for SDSU. But what led her to spill such words? 

That may take us back to the past. Before moving to the Nebraska Huskers, Bergen had a phenomenal playing stint in her high school, O’Gorman High School, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She had her elder sister, Raegan, in the same school, shaping her expertise. Later, Raegan joined South Dakota State, leaving her sister in high school. But that didn’t pose a barrier.

Rather, Raegan’s continued chatter in the free time made Bergen informed about the setup. Furthermore, in her early years, the younger Reilly had her moments with players who are shining in NDSU now. So, the NCAA contest brought the chance for Bergen to practice her attachments with her old buddies. Ultimately, she enjoyed the moment.

In the press conference, the setter claimed, “I hung out with a couple of them last night, but they’re just, they’re really excited to be here.” She also took Sydni Schetnan, Joslyn Richardson, and Katie Van Egdom’s names as the most familiar ones to her from the current lineup. Eventually, Bergen Reilly was seen to be utmost happy seeing her old mates reaching this level. The feeling is mutual for a lot of individuals.

The engagement with the Jackrabbits is an emotional affair 

John Cook has had something on his mind for many months. He wanted a match against South Dakota State just to see the Riley sisters facing each other in the arena. His wish was fulfilled this year. On October 3 and 25, the sisters countered each other in Illinois and Lincoln. But by then, Raegan had already changed her camp.

She was playing for Illinois, not for the Jackrabbits. However, Cook received the desired results. Both times, the matches ended on the Huskers’ side. But did Bergen enjoy the rivalry? She had to compete against someone whom she called her motivation once. 

In one of her interactions, Bergen even said, “I owe a lot of my success and where I’m at today to her.” Now, in the NCAA battle, she wouldn’t have to face her sister anymore. But she will find those who once shared the arena with her and Raegan. Another fact is that after 2007, this has been the first time SDSU has entered the NCAA battle. For the fold, the call is a ‘reward’ itself. Now, in the upcoming days, they might have to face one of their homegrown players in the opposite camp. Would the game be hard for both parties? What do you think?