Nebraska Volleyball is out here making serious waves, whether it’s dominating the Big Ten season or crushing it in the NCAA tournament. Just a few weeks ago, the Huskers snagged a share of the Big Ten title after a big win over Maryland, and now they’re already gearing up for the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tourney! As they prepare to face Dayton on December 13, the seniors are getting ready to play their final games in Husker gear.

Lexi Rodriguez, Kennedi Orr, Leyla Blackwell, Merritt Beason, and Lindsay Krause will soon be saying goodbye, but no worries, because the next generation is ready to shine in 2025! But before these fresh faces take the court, one future Nebraska Volleyball star has already set the stage with an honest confession. After shutting down all the doubters, she’s ready to step up and deliver in a big way for her debut!

A recent report shared by Journal Star revealed how Keri Leimbach, the defensive specialist/libero from Lincoln Lutheran, is gearing up for a photo shoot at Round1 Arcade in Lincoln. Amidst the buzz of uniformed volleyball players and camera equipment, an employee, curious about the scene, asked, “Which girl is going to play for Nebraska?” With a smile, Leimbach looked up, shook his hand, and answered simply—she’s got this. And honestly, with her impressive resume, it’s no wonder.

At just 5-foot-2, Leimbach finished high school with a record of 149-7, four state titles, and a jaw-dropping 2,063 career digs. Now, as a Nebraska signee, she’s bringing that same fire to her new home at the Devaney Sports Center. But the spotlight? It hasn’t always been kind. Her first match after committing to the Huskers had its share of drama. As she dove for a back-row dig and missed the play, the Waverly student section was quick to jump on her with chants of “overrated,” giving Leimbach an early taste of what’s coming in the big leagues.

But for Leimbach, that’s just part of the game. Leimbach doesn’t let the pressure weigh her down—in fact, she sees it as a privilege. “People have doubted me my whole life,” she shared. “Because I am so short, people believed I couldn’t go (Division I), but it just shows that it doesn’t matter your size — you can do anything you put your mind to.” And with that kind of mindset, it’s clear she’s ready to take on whatever comes her way. But wait, there’s more to Keri’s story—before she steps onto the court for Nebraska Volleyball, she made sure to tick off a major milestone, securing her spot on a special list.

Nebraska Volleyball’s future star makes it to a special list!

Ah, yes, you read it here first—Nebraska Volleyball’s newbies are hitting the ground running! Keri Leimbach didn’t just come with ability; she created records. She was able to achieve a big achievement of 2000 plus digs for Lincoln Lutheran and made her mark in Lincoln Lutheran. And on the same day? Nebraska’s very own Lexi Rodriguez did her thing, moving up to the second-highest dig-getter in the school’s record book. What a day of records, honors, and sheer Husker magic!

But hey, there is more to the story! For Keri, signing day wasn’t just a typical day; it was the day she etched her name in the history of Lincoln Lutheran. Not only did she sign with Nebraska, but she also was the first player in her school’s history to commit to the reigning Big Ten champs! A school that has produced only seven players in the last 30 years who have gone on to play NCAA Division I, Keri’s decision was a big coup. Her high school coach could not even conceal this delight and considered Keri’s story as a breakthrough for the program. But wait, there’s more! Nebraska Volleyball’s recruits and veterans both got a big round of applause!

Fast forward to the 19th Annual AVCA Girls High School All-America Teams and Nebraska Volleyball is on the map! Keri Leimbach was among the selected candidates out of more than 1700 nominations demonstrating her defensive skills; Campbell Flynn–a setter; Manaia Ogbechie–a middle blocker; and Jayden Robinson–an outside hitter–were also named the First Team members. Gabby Divita earned a well-deserved Second Team selection. These fresh recruits have already made their mark and Nebraska Volleyball cannot wait to embrace them!