Is there someone you know who has achieved splendid success on the beach volleyball circuit as well as with Team USA and the Nebraska Huskers? A tough guess may land you somewhere near Justine Wong-Orantes. But folks, let me make the job hard for you. I’m talking about someone who is in the current Huskers squad. Well, that comes down to Andi Jackson, the 6’3” sophomore middle blocker. No, she has miles to go to touch Justine’s feat. But in her so-far professional career, the Colorado native has earned a few gems that can’t be ignored. 

One such is to get a call from the United States junior national team during her senior high school phase in Brighton, Colorado. Does that interest you in her story? If yes, then let me tell you, last summer she impressed the fans both times, playing for Team USA and Nebraska volleyball. Now, for further information, let’s dive deep. 

Andi Jackson’s career so far for the Nebraska volleyball women’s team 

Andi Jackson accepts that landing the chance to play for the US national junior team has paved the way for her. In one of her interviews with The Independent, the 19-year-old said, “Being scouted by USA volleyball and getting that opportunity to play against international teams at such a high level, that was really what got me going and made me say, ‘Yeah, I can do this.’” Now, the question may arise about her achievement. Then here’s a starter for you: in August this year, the Huskers’ coach said, “She’s doing some nice things… She’s blossoming.” Remember, Andi was in her second year in the Huskers’ camp. Now some stats may help to get things better. 

On October 28 this year, Lincoln Arneal, the Nebraska volleyball raconteur, shared stunning data. His X-post displayed Jackson having 11 blocks “while hitting .417 with 21 kills” in just one week that too, against two big names in the Big Ten volleyball. Guess those names?

Those are Michigan and Illinois. The performance earned Jackson the title of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. It was her first title in Nebraska volleyball. Now, add something more. Currently, she is in the fourth position in the D1 women’s volleyball with a hitting percentage of.448. Furthermore, her total attacks stand to be 328, a staggering number on the list. Kills? That is around 193. Again, one of the top-notch. However, in freshman year as well, she had equally shining timing. 

In 2023, Andi Jackson kept her hitting percentage at .399, the best for a Husker freshman. Now, in the non-conference play, she had a.515 hitting percentage. It was the second-best in the nation in the first four weeks. Her best score? It came against the ranked opponent, Michigan State. Now, want to guess the numbers? Andi Jackson’s season-best performance stood to be with 13 kills, 6 blocks, and a.524 hitting percentage. She had her accomplishments as well, for such gems. 

The accomplishments follow with NIL deals

You have already read Andi Jackson’s AVCA title this season. However, last season as well, she had a flurry of titles chasing her. First, for her extraordinary performance throughout the season, she found her place in three honorary squads: AVCA All-Region Team (2023), All-Big Ten Second Team (2023), and Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2023). Not only that, but she had her name on two Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams (2023 and 2024). Now, if you have forgotten about her national fame, then there’s something for you. 

This year, Andi Jackson’s scintillating performance helped Team USA secure the gold medal at the NORCECA under-21 Continental Championship in Toronto. What did she do there? Well, Bergen Reilly had been with Andi, playing in the same squad. And she revealed her experience, claiming, “She was scary. I was scared she was going to hurt somebody on the other side of the net.” Such a top-class player has her hand on the NIL deals as well. 

Andi Jackson claims she throws her weight on NIL deals 

The Opendorse website shows a lot of numbers as a part of Andi Jackson’s NIL payment. The platform has the highest number of $125 as a payment to take Andi’s autograph. That’s the minimum someone would have to spend to get the autograph. Moreover, someone needs to pay a minimum amount of $59 to make the Nebraska volleyball MB post something. Hold on. She has a few other NIL options as well.

One such is 1890 Nebraska. In one of her interactions, the teenage player claimed many things about her dealings with the brand. She ultimately added, “1890 is an amazing organization to work with, especially as a student-athlete. They’re super supportive of all of us. And I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have them, honestly, because being a student-athlete, you’re already so busy. But having just that support system from 1890 is super helpful.” Fret not. She had something big to reveal.

In her further interaction, Jackson disclosed that the NIL deals had played a major role in making her fall for Nebraska. She laid out, “It was one of the reasons that I did choose Nebraska, because obviously, volleyball is super good. It’s super competitive. And the fan base is unreal. But then it’s also the support system that they give you outside of volleyball that I really, really liked.” That suits her well, considering she had to leave her hometown to join Nebraska volleyball. Now, let’s have a scoop regarding her personal life. 

Andi Jackson comes from a humble background 

Born on June 15, 2005, in Brighton, Colorado, Andi Jackson comes from a humble background. Her father Dennis and mother Heidi have always watered her wish to play volleyball. In fact, the athletic background has always been there. Reason? Her mother used to be a high jumper, and her father played hockey. Additionally, this humble nurturing has channeled her toward her faith. Notably, she is a baptized Christian. She takes this part with a lot of pride.

Jackson even claimed once, “My faith plays the biggest role in my career. I know that my value comes from who I am and not what I do. When I play, I want to draw attention to God’s greatness and not my own—I find joy playing volleyball for Him and not my own gratification.” That bonding is still growing, and Andi Jackson hopes to continue in this way.