Lexi Rodriguez Reminded of Nebraska Huskers vs Wisconsin Badgers Rivalry Amid Emotional UW Field House Return

“Lexi Rodriguez isn’t human,” Huskers Illustrated’s Lincoln Arneal penned on Twitter on December 15 last year. The veteran sports journalist has been watching the Illinois native for a long time. He knows what she can do. Yet in that evening, he found no barrier in claiming Lexi Rodriguez was someone above human. But what did she do that evening? Well, playing for her collegiate program, Nebraska Huskers volleyball, she displayed top athleticism in keeping a serve alive. Her return meanwhile paved the way for the Huskers to claim a point in the match against the Wisconsin Badgers. After a month of that match, does Lexi remember the evening played against the nemesis? 

Also on November 1, last year, Lexi scored 12 digs against the Wisconsin Badgers on the latter’s home turf, UW Madison, and helped the Huskers to win the match. The victory paved the way for the Big Red to claim its first series win against the Badgers in more than a decade. Does she remember that as well? Well, Lexi’s activities prove that the libero remembers everything. And what are those activities? 

Lexi Rodriguez’s pro volleyball squad, LOVB Omaha, had its match scheduled on January 18 against LOVB Madison. The match was to be hosted in the same UW Field House. Lexi found the connection emotional. After November 1, 2024, she returned to the turf once again, where she had once done miracles. Also, LOVB Madison has Sarah Franklin, the Wisconsin alum and once a fierce opponent of Lexi Rodriguez in the collegiate games. The presence of these moments made the libero emotional. 

On January 18, Lexi Rodriguez shared a clip on her TikTok handle with the caption, “now it’s go big green 💚.” The clip in the meantime displayed her rolling on the UW Field House, reminiscing about the sweet moments she once spent in the iconic arena as a collegiate player. The empty arena in the clip seemed much bigger. But for Lexi, it settles for a space in her heart. 

In her four-year collegiate career, the 5’5” libero had several memorable moments against the Badgers and playing in UW Field House. On November 1 last year, her squad, Nebraska, went to Madison to play the match against the home team, Badgers. Also, the supporters of the Big Red followed the program to Madison. On the match day, the gallery was filled up in every stand. Not only the November 1 match but also the regular season matches played between the Huskers and Badgers had been habituated to see high footfalls. And who doesn’t want to play matches in the full house?

Fortunately, Lexi had those experiences in both arenas, Bob Devaney Sports Center and UW Field House. She has yet to get a chance to return to Bob Devaney Sports Center as the pro. But the four-time All-American had the opportunity to keep her feet in UW Field House as a pro, in the second inning of her life. She cherished that emotion in the video. Also, she mimicked her usual vault in the video while throwing herself on the massive blue court. She put a few words in the video description, too. It read, “back in wisconsin but now as a pro.” But did Lexi Rodriguez make her professional debut? 

Lexi Rodriguez might land a stellar opportunity 

On January 18, LOVB Omaha added another victory to its list. In the UW Field House, the guest gave the taste of defeat to LOVB Madison. In Sarah Franklin’s presence, the host tried every possible way to claim the victory. The opening set saw the squad defeat Omaha (25-20). But in the next three sets, Jordan Larson’s team didn’t leave any loose ends and claimed the win (26-24, 25-15, 25-15). LOVB Omaha gained momentum before meeting the same opponent on January 25 in Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha. Wait, did Lexi Rodriguez perform on Saturday? 

No, Lexi Rodriguez wasn’t featured in the starting lineup. The foundational athlete, Justine Wong-Orantes, played the libero role in the match. She had been throughout the match. That makes Lexi still waiting for her professional debut. But she might not have to wait longer. Next weekend, LOVB Omaha will have two back-to-back matches on the home turf. And based on Lexi’s popularity and fireworks in Nebraska, the coaching staff might not keep her seated in those matches. Well, that’s a probability only. To know the rest, the volleyball fans will have to wait just a week.