Nebraska Volleyball and Lexi Rodriguez is a story for the ages! This night was big in all aspects. Nebraska focused on beating Penn State in the NCAA Semifinals, as Lexi had something more individual in mind—to break the school record for the most career digs. Only a few days ago, Nebraska volleyball charged to the NCAA Semifinals after thrashing Wisconsin in straight sets, 3-0. The crowd? Electric. More than 8,700 fans filled the Bob Devaney Sports Center, and the audience cheered for each move. Lexi, as always, was a defensive specialist, getting 17 digs, which was the most in the match, and getting closer to the Nebraska record, just 8 digs away.

Lexi Rodriguez, already a Husker legend, had only one name left to surpass: two-time Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes. This season, Lexi has been averaging 3.91 digs per set, so it was only a matter of time before she reached that mark in Nebraska’s semifinal match. All that was needed was nine digs for Lexi to make history, and with Wong-Orantes having a total of 1,890 digs, the big question was, did Lexi Rodriguez answer the challenge and make history?

Lexi Rodriguez makes history!

No doubt about it! In the epic Nebraska vs. Penn State showdown, Lexi Rodriguez stole the spotlight and etched her name in history! Lincoln Arneal hopped on X during the game and shared, “With her ninth dig against Penn State, Lexi Rodriguez has passed Justine Wong-Orantes for the No. 1 spot on NU’s all-time dig list. Rodriguez passed the mark in her 471st set at Nebraska, while Wong-Orantes played in 468 sets in her Husker career.”

Lexi Rodriguez is on fire! The three-time All-American and senior co-captain has not only guided the Huskers to Louisville and the final four but also earned other laurels this season, which include the Big Ten Libero of the Year and the NCAA West Region Player of the Year. And now? She’s done it; she has set a record, breaking Justine Wong-Orantes’s record of Nebraska’s all-time digs. To celebrate this achievement, Justine herself sent a heartfelt video message via LOVB Omaha Volleyball. “Hi Lexi, it’s Justine. I’m so excited to share the news with you that you are now the career of the digs record holder,” she began, praising Lexi’s incredible influence on the libero position, as well as her influence on the fans and fellow players.

Justine didn’t hold back, adding, “Whenever I hear the ‘Littles’ being highlighted during a match, I think of you and how you’ve changed the way people look at the libero position. During your time at Nebraska, you have shaped the sport of volleyball—not just here, but all over.” Talk about passing the torch with love and admiration! But Lexi’s story doesn’t stop here. With one record now officially shattered, there’s another milestone just waiting for her to claim it.

Rodriguez is set to make another history!

The buzz around Lexi Rodriguez isn’t just about her killer digs and jaw-dropping defense—it’s about the history she’s rewriting off the court, too. On December 17, Lincoln Arneal hopped onto X to hype up some epic news, boosting NCAA Women’s Volleyball’s post with a caption that read: “Nebraska libero Lexi Rodriguez is one of four finalists for the AVCA National Player of the Year. She is joined by opposite Olivia Babcock of Pitt, outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye of Kentucky, and outside hitter Sarah Franklin of Wisconsin. The winner will be announced on Friday.” Just last week, Lexi broke the mold as the first-ever Libero to snag the AVCA Region Player of the Year title. Yep, she’s been collecting accolades like they’re going out of style.

Oh, and let’s not forget Lexi Rodriguez’s resume—absolutely stacked. Lexi’s already a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player and Libero of the Year, and she’s got a shot at joining the elite Husker club as only the third player in history to be named an All-American all four years. Iconic, right? But hold tight; there’s still more! She’s now one of just five Huskers to grab first-team all-conference honors four times and, drumroll, the second-ever player in Big Ten history to snag Defensive Player/Libero of the Year three times, alongside Minnesota’s Paula Gentil (2002–04).

Now for the real plot twist—if Lexi Rodriguez clinches this award, she’ll be the first Libero ever to wear the AVCA National Player of the Year crown. History in the making, y’all! With her chill confidence, laser-focused precision, and undeniable brilliance on the court, it’s no surprise she’s here. Seriously, who didn’t see this coming?