Nebraska Huskers know how to take the limelight and shine either individually or collectively. Lexi Rodriguez, for instance, ended her college season as the holder for the most digs in the program’s history and the iconic August 2023 highlight as a team. While football is the main sport played at the Memorial Stadium, a world record was set when the Huskers played Omaha in the women’s volleyball match attracting 92,003 fans. They dominated the match 25-14, 25-14, 25-13 and, the fans set a new record for the largest attendance at a women’s sporting event.

Of course, Nebraska Huskers were not going to let that historic night go unnoticed by them. They immortalized the moment with No Place Like Nebraska, and the episode 92,003: Volleyball Day in Nebraska was recognized as a Heartland Emmy. Now, a 23-year-old Emmy winner looks back at the record-breaking match that didn’t just make history—it ended up bringing home major awards for the Huskers, as luck would have it.

In a chat shared by 93.7 The Ticket on January 16, Kendall Lanier was chatting with Izzy Pineda, Associate Director for Creative & Emerging Media at Nebraska Huskers, and couldn’t help but marvel at her Emmy win at just 23. She asked, “And you have an Emmy at only 23, like, that’s crazy. How did you, so from Volleyball Day in Nebraska, your team got the Emmy. How did it feel to kind of be recognized for the work you put in?” Izzy’s response was pure excitement, saying, “Yeah, that was really awesome. We, our creative team won a regional Emmy for the Heartland region.”

Izzy went on to shout out her amazing team, “It was myself, Nick Burkhardt, Alex Rehurek, and Sonia Duval. And I want to shout out Sonia a ton because she was my co-editor. So we co-edited that piece.” She also shared how massive the effort was, explaining, “On Volleyball Day, we had like minimum 10 to 12 student workers from just our department. And then you mix in communications and Husker Vision and everything else. And then externally, the ESPN and Big Ten. It was just this major event.” And reflecting on the experience, she said, “Yeah, working on that docuseries was one of the hardest, but one of the most rewarding things.” 

Izzy Pineda became a Creative Media Specialist in Nebraska Athletics in May 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director of Creative and Emerging Media in March 2024. She has become the official voice of Husker Volleyball’s social media account and addresses day-to-day operations for other sports as well. Her behind-the-scenes efforts have made her an essential part of the team.

Prior to going full-time, Izzy interned from 2020 to 2022, while completing her degree and working with Gymnastics, Softball, and Volleyball teams. A Bellevue, NE native, she graduated in 2023 with a BFA in Emerging Media Arts from the Hixson-Lied College for Fine & Performing Arts. But coming back to the docuseries, what is this Nebraska Huskers’ docuseries all about?

Nebraska Huskers and their docuseries!

The University of Nebraska has made a 360 turn from being all about its football champions to being all about women’s volleyball. Under the leadership of coach John Cook, the pressure to win a national championship isn’t just a goal–it’s expected. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, ESPN E60’s episode “No Place Like Nebraska” follows the Nebraska Huskers through their 2023 season, showing the team’s drive to build on a legacy of record-breaking crowds and championship dreams.

In August 2023, when Nebraska Huskers made history with more than 92,000 fans filling Memorial Stadium, that moment shattered records and captured the world’s attention, but for Nebraska, it wasn’t just a surprise–it was the new norm. With a world record in hand, five national championships, and a powerhouse recruiting class, the Cornhuskers’ 2023 season was a rollercoaster of expectations, success, and the pressure that comes with it.

“E60” gave people a look into the Huskers’ world, the struggles and triumphs of a team with no seniors, and the mental and emotional rollercoaster. From star outside hitter Harper Murray’s no-holds-barred discussion of the effects of hate on her social media accounts after the national championship to the pressures of being in the limelight, the series has it all. Featuring interviews with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jaylen Reyes, assistant coach and former player Kelly Hunter, and former player turned Director of Operations Lindsay Peterson, No Place Like Nebraska brought a new, unvarnished perspective to what it means to be a part of this storied tradition and till now Nebraska Huskers still stands out.