After Ally Batenhorst made history as the first USC player to win Big Ten Player of the Week, some might have thought she’d take her foot off the gas. But if that’s the case, someone should tell Ally that “slowing down” isn’t in her vocabulary. Just days after that huge achievement, she showed the volleyball world once again why she’s a force to be reckoned with in USC’s thrilling showdown against Oregon.

On November 17th, USC pulled off an epic 3-2 victory over 11th-ranked Oregon, clawing their way back from a two-set deficit. The final score? 20-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14. And guess who was leading the charge? None other than Ally herself, with a jaw-dropping 18 kills and 10 digs that had everyone buzzing. But while her on-court performance was straight fire, off-court, Ally had a little drama of her own brewing — a dilemma tied to a past college that’s sure to make for some interesting storylines!

Ally Batenhorst’s internal conflict during the Huskers vs Trojan football game

On November 16th, the USC Trojans football team faced the Nebraska Huskers at the LA Memorial Colosseum. This is when Ally Batenhorst had a crisis as she had to make a vital decision. Which team should she support? This was a huge dilemma for her, as she had studied in both of these colleges. Ally had spent the first three years of her collegiate career in Nebraska, making her name with the Huskers. But now she was part of the USC, which created the dilemma.

Ally couldn’t resist sharing the drama with her followers, so she posted a TikTok video that perfectly captured the internal tug-of-war she must’ve been feeling. In the clip, she watches the game with a smirk, captioning it, “When you went to both schools and can’t decide who to root for.” To really sell the emotional struggle, she added a dramatic, sad violin track in the background—because who wouldn’t feel conflicted with that kind of soundtrack?

As for the game itself, the Trojans came out on top with a solid 28-20 victory, thanks to quarterback Jayden Maiava’s four touchdowns. So, one can only hope Ally made her allegiance clear by rooting for USC—though let’s be real, she probably made that choice a while ago when she left Nebraska for the sunny skies of USC, all for the chance to pursue her academic goals.

Why did the history maker leave Nebraska for USC?

Ally Batenhorst was a vital part of the Nebraska team during her three-year stint. Her statistics prove this, as she had made 535 kills and 184 digs, showcasing how well-rounded of a player she was. It also seemed like she was enjoying her time there, winning numerous accolades. Thus, when she announced that she was joining USC, the volleyball community was shocked. They didn’t understand why Ally would leave Huskers.

Ally’s decision to transfer to USC wasn’t an easy one; it was all about looking ahead to her future. As she approached graduation, she knew she wanted more opportunities—opportunities that California could offer. With her media degree in hand, Ally could explore a career in the field while continuing her volleyball journey. Plus, living in LA opens up a world of options, whether it’s pursuing a master’s or taking her game to the next level. USC just seemed like the best move for her long-term goals.

But don’t think for a second that Nebraska has forgotten about their former star. During USC’s September 30th matchup against the Huskers, the Nebraska fans gave Ally a heartfelt standing ovation. Some even made signs to welcome her back to the city, and when she saw the love, tears streamed down her face. It was a beautiful moment, reminding us that even though Ally left Nebraska, the bond between her and the Huskers—and their fans—will always remain strong.