After just two losses in the regular season, the Nebraska Huskers also had a dominant run to reach the NCAA Championship semifinals. Unfortunately, their dominance ended tonight while facing Penn State, as the ghosts of November 29 returned to haunt NU. After losing the BIG10 title match against the Nittany Lions, Lexi Rodriguez & Co. couldn’t avenge their loss in the semi-final.

Despite building a 2-0 lead, Nebraska couldn’t withstand Penn State’s pressure in the third set. The Lions clawed their way back in the third and held on to the momentum, reverse-sweeping NU. Lincoln Arneal broke down how the Huskers lost their advantage. “FINAL: Penn State pulls off a reverse sweep against Nebraska 23-25, 18-25, 25-23, 28-26, 15-13.”

“The Nittany Lions advance to Sunday’s title match. Murray put up 20 kills and 15 digs, while Jackson added 19 kills. Mruzik put up 26 kills for PSU. The Huskers season ends at 33-3,” the podcast host and writer posted on X. What’s more? The disappointing result puts an end to the college volleyball careers of Nebraska Huskers senior players Lexi Rodrigues, Merritt Beason, Lindsay Krause, and other NU icons.

Throughout their four years with the Huskers, the senior players graduating this year have achieved nearly every accolade in college volleyball, from becoming multiple-time BIG10 title winners or making it all the way to the NCAA Championship final. However, there was one unfilled dream that the Huskers seniors were chasing throughout their last season at Nebraska.

“They’ve literally done everything but win a national championship, and you know, we still got an opportunity to do that,” Coach John Cook said in November. Penn State took away that chance after handing NU the reverse sweep loss. So despite their best efforts, winning a national championship won’t be a part of their legacies. However, no one’s legacy is as bittersweet as that of Nebraska Huskers star libero, Lexi Rodriguez.

A bittersweet end for Nebraska Huskers’ most successful libero

The 21-year-old senior libero came into the Penn State match with the second most digs in Nebraska Huskers history. The 2024 national Player of the Year finalist had reached 1882 career kills. The Illinois native was only 9 digs shy of breaking the previous record of 1890 digs by former Husker and U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes.

During the five-set battle with Penn State, the four-time All-American shattered the record. With 15 digs in the semifinal, the Nebraska Huskers legend broke the school record, achieving 1,897 career digs. However, despite reaching the historic milestone, Lexi Rodrigues was devastated by the disappointing result.

During the post-match press conference, the Libero burst into tears. “I’m just so grateful for everyone, and I’ll say it for my entire life, that this program was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said after the final match of her college volleyball career. However, the joy of being the woman with the highest digs in Nebraska’s history was replaced with the sadness of losing the chance to win the national championship.

While the defensive special is still in the running to become the 2024 Player of the Year, it’s evident that Lexi Rodriguez won’t be celebrating that milestone even if she reaches it. What are your opinions on NU’s loss to Penn State? Write your views in the comments.