The fairytale run has finally come to an end. After four years with the Cornhuskers, Lexi Rodriguez left the campus as a Nebraska legend. While she didn’t manage to win the NCAA trophy during her time at Lincoln, her 1,897 career digs have set a new program history, cementing her as one of the greatest volleyball stars of all time. And yet, despite her elite status as an athlete, Rodriguez stands on the verge of charting new waters, which looks like a daunting task.

Just days ago, fans were elated to learn that Lexi would continue her career with LOVB Omaha in League One Volleyball’s inaugural season. But while the prospect of the new adventure is titillating, it seems like Rodriguez is also having to acquire new skills to help her through adulthood.

Lexi Rodriguez expands her skill set off the court

To pursue her pro career, the ex-Nebraska star will have to relocate to Omaha, a new city, and embrace a whole new life. With that, she will also be leaving behind the shared accommodation setup, which has been the mainstay of her life for the past few years. Naturally, changes are in order, and the volleyball sensation is doing her best to make sure she’s well-equipped to tackle the new things she will be facing. In her Instagram story of 7th January, Lexi shared how she’s handling the change by first making sure her nutritional needs are fulfilled properly to keep her physical condition in its peak form.

“Trying to get into my cooking era,” wrote the 4x AVCA All-American athlete as she shared a picture of her groceries lying by the sink. Numerous items, including noodles, lettuce, various oils, and sauces, can be seen on the kitchen top along with chicken breasts, as Rodriguez solemnly hopes her endeavors go well. “Let’s see how this goes,” she writes earnestly, and her fans can relate to the quivering tension of trying to cook for the first time.

Lexi Rodriguez was the first libero in NCAA history to be named AVCA Regional Player of The Year. And yet, picking up cooking can be a skill that can prove to be a far more difficult thing to do. While we wait to see how she settles into her new shoes, the Cornhuskers icon will need to pull up her socks quickly to get ready for the task at hand.

Familiar foes await the Nebraska alum

Despite being announced in 2020, the LOVB took a long time to make its debut. However, the long wait time also helped the folks over at LOVB to rope in the best stars from across the USA and beyond to ensure the quality of the league was top-notch. Along with Rodriguez, Texas’ Madisen Skinner (LOVB Austin), Penn State’s Jess Mruzik (LOVB Houston), and Wisconsin’s Sarah Franklin (LOVB Madison) will also make their professional debuts on January 8. During the 14-week season, all six teams will play every week to elevate women’s volleyball to a new level.

“At LOVB, it’s been our mission from the beginning to provide the world’s very best players with the opportunity to play at home, and not have to go overseas,” said the President of LOVB Pro, Rosie Spaulding. She went on to say, “We are excited for their communities of friends, family and fans to have the opportunity to continue to support these women in the next phases of their careers,” underscoring how the league is determined to give a new platform to the athletes after their collegiate days are over.

While Rodriguez awaits her next big venture, she is still in the race to win the 2025 Honda Sport Award, along with three of the best-performing NCAA stars from the last season. Do you think winning the title would give Lexi a new boost to the system to kick off the maiden edition of LOVB with gusto? Tell us in the comments below!