Every Husker heart was ready to scream with pride when Lexi Rodriguez hit the pro volleyball scene—she was supposed to be the spark. But instead of seeing her light up the court regularly, fans got tiny flashes here and there. When she did step in though? Oh, she absolutely cooked. Sadly though, the season came to a close with one tough pill to swallow. Omaha had pulled off magic with a reverse sweep to sneak into the first-ever LOVB championship game… but the fairy tale hit a wall. Austin came in like a Texas storm—swept ’em 3-0 and crushed the dream.

It was a wild one too—Austin never trailed in the first two sets and stayed just one step ahead in a nail-biting third. Logan Eggleston and Madisen Skinner were dropping kill bombs left and right, while Omaha had Jordan Larson throwing heat, and Justine Wong-Orantes doing cleanup duty with 12 digs. Lexi? Even with heartbreak in the air, she stood tall. And in the middle of all the pro chaos, she still managed to outshine stars like Cooper Flagg and Ashton Jeanty in a totally different lane, making history in her own Lexi-style way.

The Husker Volleyball crew hit the ‘Gram with a post that had the whole squad buzzing like it was game day in Devaney. They wrote, “HISTORY WRITTEN ✍️Congratulations to @lexi.rodriguez__ on being the first Husker to win the prestigious AAU James E. Sullivan award! Rodriguez joins an elite group of athletes and is only the third volleyball player in history to earn the honor.” The other two? Lauren Carlini in 2016 and Kathryn Plummer in 2018. Lexi Rodriguez just officially pulled up to the table where legends sit

After all, the AAU Sullivan Award winners list is one that’s been shining bright since way back in 1930. This award isn’t just about the highlight reels and stat sheets; it’s about being the full package—on the court, off the court, and everywhere in between. We’re talkin’ leadership that inspires, sportsmanship that shines, and character that speaks volumes even without a mic. And Lexi? She’s the real deal. Meanwhile, the competition was stacked with firepower too.

Cooper Flagg’s been out here rewriting the ACC playbook, becoming the only player in the history of the ACC to boast of winning the weekly awards five times in a single season. The man also got ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, also in the same season. Talk about rare air. And then there’s Ashton Jeanty, who ran through defenses like poetry in motion, stacking up a whopping 2,601 yards, which is the second-most in a single FBS D1 season. What’s more? The 2024 Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award-winning running back also ran with Boise State to back-to-back Conference Championships and their first-ever College Football Playoff. But in the end? Lexi’s light shined brightest and, she even revealed her feelings as she received this award!

Lexi Rodriguez makes her feelings known about the award!

Lexi Rodriguez just had that moment — the kind you dream about but never expect to actually live. With a heart full of gratitude and a voice a lil’ bit shaky from all the emotions, Lexi took the stage for her big AAU Sullivan Award moment and kicked things off with a humble “Hi everyone. Wow, this is such an incredible honor. I still can’t even believe that I’m, you know, standing in this room…” Full circle much? She went from chasing championships in Orlando during club days to coming back to winning the AAU James E. Sullivan Award in the same city, surrounded by Olympic gold and world titles. “It’s definitely a full circle moment,” she said — and yeah, you could feel it.

Through all the nerves and happy tears, Lexi didn’t forget the real MVPs behind her rise. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for everyone at the University of Nebraska… my coaching staff and my teammates.” She gave love to the whole Husker family, the fanbase she called “crazy but amazing,” and made sure to send a virtual hug to everyone who “probably voted” from back home. Every single bit of belief and support, she held close in this moment. And when she looked over at her mom in the crowd? “I know, unbelievably proud of me but I’m also just proud of her,” she said, giving her family the biggest slice of her win.

And now? Lexi’s name slides right into the elite club — yep, the same scroll of legends that holds Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Michelle Kwan, Peyton Manning, and Carl Lewis. From AAU courts to national stages, she’s made it. This one’s gonna be hard to top, but if anyone’s got more magic in the tank, it’s Lexi.