Lexi Rodriguez—yep, that name’s been buzzing all over the volleyball world, and for good reason! Whether it’s the madness of NCAA season or the electric pro action with LOVB Omaha, she’s been out here making waves. During her NCAA days, this libero didn’t just match Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes’ legendary legacy—she one-upped it. She surpassed the previous school record of 1,890 digs by performing 1,897 digs, which became her new benchmark. And just when fans thought they’d seen it all, she finally made her long-awaited pro debut on February 9 after weeks of anticipation. But wait—there’s more. As if breaking records wasn’t enough, Lexi is now in the running for some major recognition.

According to AAU Sports, Lexi Rodriguez is one of thirty-nine standout athletes named as semi-finalists for the prestigious 95th AAU Sullivan Award. And let’s be real, her resume? Stacked. We’re talking 2024 Honda Sport Award Finalist and 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year Finalist. Yeah, she’s not just on the list—she’s a major contender.

And guess who else is in this powerhouse lineup? Oh, just some of the biggest names in sports. Mondo Duplantis—aka the high-flying king of track and field—who flexed at the Paris Olympics by breaking his own world record (because, you know, why not?). And, of course, the queen of the pool, Katie Ledecky, who snagged gold and bronze in 2024, bringing her Olympic medal count to a mind-blowing 14—with 9 of them being gold. And standing alongside these great athletes, Lexi is proving that she possesses all the qualities needed for greatness.

Curious about this big-time honor? Since its inception in 1930, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who excel in U.S. college sports, at Olympic competitions, and at the highest levels of professional competition. This award goes beyond extraordinary talent because it recognizes leadership abilities along with sportsmanship and character, which together create a complete measure of greatness.

Past winners? Oh, just legends like Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Peyton Manning, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Last year, Caitlin Clark made history as the first-ever two-time winner, but now, a new name is about to be etched into the history books. Volleyball, too, has its very own bright stars recognized among the many athletes, with Lauren Carlini and Kathryne Plummer winning the 87th and 89th editions of the award respectively. And if all goes well for Lexi, she might be the third.

But she has got some tough competition in track and field beast Grant Holloway, gymnastics’ very own Clark Kent Stephen Nedoroscik, the unstoppable Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and football sensation Travis Hunter. And Lexi absolutely belongs here, but she’s not one to hype up her own achievements—even though those moments led to her accomplishment.

Lexi Rodriguez doesn’t take all the credit!

Back in December, Lexi Rodriguez added another gem to her volleyball crown, snagging yet another All-American honor. The achievement made Rodriguez the third Nebraska volleyball player to earn All-American honors throughout all four seasons of her college career. But if you think she’s out here hyping herself up, think again. When asked about the achievement in a press conference in December, she kept it humble, giving all the credit to her squad. Coach John Cook constantly pushed his players to chase individual greatness and Lexi? She took that challenge and ran with it.

“Ultimately, I just think it’s really cool that everyone kind of believed that I could do it, and my coach has always believed in me and my teammates did, and I mean, they were just always so supportive of me, so I owe it all to them and for all that they’ve done to help me get to where I am today,” she said. That’s Lexi for you—talented, humble, and always giving props where they’re due.

And now, with her name on the next big award list, the big question remains—will she take home the AAU Sullivan Award too? Or is someone else about to snag the crown? Let us know in the comments! But one thing’s for sure—Lexi’s name is in the conversation for a reason.