The Huskers have been a dominant force in the Big Ten this season, and it’s no surprise that their fearless captain, Lexi Rodriguez, has been leading the charge. On Saturday night, the No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team clinched a share of the Big Ten title with a 3-1 win over Maryland, silencing a record-breaking crowd of 13,071. The Huskers, now 29-2 overall and 19-1 in the Big Ten, tied Penn State at the top to claim their second consecutive conference crown—their 36th overall and fifth since joining the Big Ten in 2011. Lexi, as always, showcased her defensive brilliance, racking up 14 digs to anchor her team. But wait—there’s even more magic to this libero’s story!

Just last month, she shattered Kayla Banwarth’s record with a jaw-dropping 1,731 career digs, now chasing Justine Wong-Orantes’ all-time program lead of 1,890. This season has been nothing short of legendary for Lexi, and she’s proven why she’s a cornerstone of Nebraska volleyball. As her senior year comes to a close, Lexi has already said her heartfelt goodbyes to the Huskers, wrapping up her career in style. The Huskers celebrated their senior night with a sweep against Wisconsin, dazzling 9,000 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Lexi? She was everywhere, racking up a match-high 16 digs, including an insane line dig off a Devyn Robinson rocket that lit the crowd on fire in the final stretch. So, as this incredible senior chapter comes to a close, let’s dive into everything that makes Lexi Rodriguez the legend she is!

Major NIL deals of Lexi Rodriguez

Lexi Rodriguez isn’t just a force to be reckoned with on the volleyball court—she’s proving to be just as unstoppable off it! Earlier this year, Amazon Prime Video made waves in the NIL game during March Madness, teaming up with over 30 college athletes for a groundbreaking campaign. And guess who stole the spotlight? Yup, it was Lexi herself, headlining Amazon’s move with her signature flair. The athletes showcased creative ways to stream the NCAA Tournament live, and Lexi’s posts had fans buzzing!

But wait, the off-court glow-up doesn’t stop there! Last year, Lexi Rodriguez made history as the first female college athlete to ink a deal with Panini America, the iconic trading card company. “I definitely don’t think I would believe that,” she told On3, reflecting on this milestone moment. And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, Adidas joined the party, signing Lexi to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal to represent their legendary three stripes. From brand campaigns to being a symbol of the future generation of athletes, Lexi is absolutely owning it. Now, with all this off-court stardom, let’s meet the incredible support squad cheering her on every step of the way!

Nebraska volleyball star’s father and mother

Lexi Rodriguez, born on March 11, 2003, has always had the unwavering support of her dream team: her parents, Chris and Crystal Rodriguez, and her older sister, Kaylee Martin, a former volleyball player at Illinois State and Clemson. For Lexi, family is her ultimate squad, and she never hesitates to share how much they mean to her. In 2022, she tugged at everyone’s heartstrings with an emotional Instagram post dedicated to her parents, reflecting on the journey they’ve shared and expressing her deep gratitude for their love and support.

“Dear Mom & Dad, a year ago you two sent me off to college to start my journey that I had always dreamed of,” she began, reflecting on the pivotal moment when they let her spread her wings. Lexi shared how her parents put “so much time, money, and effort into my career, knowing that there was a chance it wouldn’t work out.” She admitted there were times when they all wondered if it was worth it, but her parents’ unwavering belief in her dreams kept her going. “I know I’ve said it before, but I say it now with more knowledge, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this if it wasn’t for you guys believing in me for all those years.”

Lexi closed the letter with heartfelt gratitude, writing, “Thank you, Mom and Dad, for taking a leap of faith in a little girl’s dream. I will forever be grateful to have the two of you as my parents and mentors.” Her words paint a beautiful picture of a family that has not just supported her but inspired her to soar. And with that rock-solid support behind her, Lexi has crushed it on the court as well!

Career highlights and major achievements of Rodriguez!

Lexi Rodriguez’s career is a highlight reel of incredible achievements, and her freshman season in 2021 set the tone for what was to come. She didn’t just make an entrance—she dominated the scene, earning the AVCA National Freshman of the Year award, securing a spot as a first-team All-American, and being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. She shattered Nebraska’s freshman record with an astonishing 524 digs and delivered standout performances, including two matches with 28 digs. Adding to her accolades, she was a key contributor to the U.S. U21 National Team that captured gold at the Pan American Cup. Truly, a freshman season for the ages!

Then, as a sophomore, she just kept on crushing it. Lexi snagged another spot on the AVCA All-America Second Team, was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team pick, and even made the Academic All-America Third Team. She helped the Huskers lead the nation in opponent-hitting percentage and was all over the court with 4+ digs per set. Plus, she added 25 service aces. Lexi didn’t just defend—she set up plays too, finishing with 130+ assists in the Huskers’ 6-2 system. She also had a season-high 25 digs in a sweep over Michigan. Safe to say, she wasn’t just there to play; she was there to dominate.

By her junior year, Lexi Rodriguez had taken her game to extraordinary heights. She earned a spot on the AVCA All-America First Team yet again, becoming only the 14th Husker in history to achieve three All-America honors. Adding to her accolades, she secured her second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Lexi was a defensive powerhouse for the Huskers, averaging 3.60 digs per set and contributing 150 set assists. She also climbed into Nebraska’s top five for career digs, reaching an impressive 1,424. In a standout moment, she recorded a career-high 11 set assists during a thrilling comeback victory over Penn State. Lexi’s resume? Simply unmatched.