The Atlanta Vibe match against Omaha Supernovas was more than a volleyball game. It was an event. The roar of the crowd was deafening. The match saw 13,486 strong volleyball enthusiasts attending the game at the CHI Health Center. Moreover, it was a homecoming for two former Huskers.

One is, of course, Merritt Beason, who finished her collegiate career as a Husker just last season. Meanwhile, the other Husker’s relationship with Nebraska goes further back in time. While Merritt has returned as an opposition player, she has returned as an opposition coach. Yes, the stalwart here is Kayla Banwarth–a former libero from the Huskers pack in 2010. And the stalwart recently shared her emotion about the hype she is seeing now.

Kayla Banwarth returned to familiar territory and emotions

Familiar with the Nebraska volleyball culture and its crowd’s energy during her Nebraska days, Kayla Banwarth said in a live press conference shared by the HuskerOnline YouTube channel, “Not surprising at all that Nebraska, you know, set another attendance record for Pro Volleyball. Um, I remember my first few welcome-backs as a as a player. And I was tearing up when Merritt got introduced because it…it is just special.” It is true that the Huskers’ matches are always a fan-packed emotion. Just a few days ago, 1200 fans had gathered to watch the Supernovas practice their craft. Yes. Practice. And even though both Beason and Banwarh returned in non-Nebraska colors, they sure got a warm welcome. 

And the love never gets old. “I mean, it’s just different. They’re passionate, they understand the game. Um, they support their heroes. Right! Merritt is a hero to them” Banwarth said while sitting beside Merritt Beason in the press conference. Adding “way back in the day, I might have been in that kind of position.“ “She was,” interrupted Merritt, echoing the common sentiment of all of Nebraska.  “But um now that I’m all washed up it’s it’s it doesn’t get old. I could be, you know, 70 in here, and it still is going to make me tear up,” Coach Kayla continued, not paying much attention to her mentee’s comment. 

Coach Kayla’s coaching career began in Nebraska when she joined the Huskers as an assistant coach. Her first stint as a head coach was with Ole Miss volleyball team, and boy, did she turn the program around. And the hype followed her to Atlanta. Although the results of the season opener didn’t go her way, the season has only begun, and so has her bond with Beason. 

Kayla Banwarth and Merritt Beason are only getting started

This was the first time since Merritt Beason played in Atlanta Vibe colors in her first pro league game under the star coach Kayla Banwarth. Even though it was in a losing cause, she had a good game against the Supernovas, scoring the first two points of the match, and ultimately recording 17 kills. Banwarth was also impressed with the former Husker’s pro debut, calling her a “seasoned pro” already. The appreciation seems to be mutual as Merritt has also expressed how the Nebraska connection with the coach brings her comfort.

After all, Kayla Banwarth was once a co-captain like Merritt was last year. “So, it’s pretty comforting. Obviously, she was a great volleyball player and a great coach, and just having that connection is… really special,” Merritt said when asked about her new coach in Atlanta. And Merritt didn’t just say that because she is now her coach. Indeed, Kayla was a great volleyball player who had bagged 1706 digs in her collegiate career and a great coach who steered the Ole Miss Volleyball Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 seasons. And now, as the pro league is on, the mentor-mentee will be looking to strengthen their collaboration.