It’s that time of the year for the NCAA volleyball season, and the Sweet 16 has just been concluded with eight teams advancing to the Elite Eight, including the Nebraska volleyball. The third-seeded Huskers went on to beat the 23rd-seeded Dayton Flyers on Friday night with a score of 3-1 in the packed Bob Devaney Sports Center with spectators of 8,725. Nebraska once again led the way with 11 total blocks, Andi Jackson included seven of those while Rebekah Allick, Harper Murray, and Bergen Reilly each had four. Lexi Rodriguez contributed 22 digs for the Big Red and reached her season best.

Dayton could only muster .087 on the attack, which was the first time in well over 100 matchups that the Huskers have limited the Flyers to less than a .100 attack percentage. Now, as they prepare for the regional finals against Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers’ star players are getting the love from their families. One volleyball star has revealed how her family has done something to support her and her team!

Volleyball star’s biggest cheerleaders!

Skyler Pierce, Nebraska Volleyball’s freshman, hopped on X on December 14 to share the good vibes! She posted a cute picture with her family and one from the game, writing, “All (heart) for my people & Husker Nation! Thanks for toughing out the ice storm. Finishing finals sitting in the car outside The Bob. Crashing in Lincoln because the road was closed to Omaha. Getting back to KC at 4am. All to cheer us on! Love you guys so much! #GBR”

Flashback to 2023, where the Huskers landed two of the best volleyball prospects in the country and yes, one of them was Skyler Pierce. This 6’2” dynamite of an outside hitter was not just a high school sensation but she has the international exposure to boot! Pierce was on her A-game at the FIVB U21 World Championships last August while representing the U.S. National Team. Back in her Olathe Northwest days, she was unstoppable, averaging 4.6 kills per set with a stellar .402 hitting percentage.

Combine 230 digs, 67 aces, and 43 blocks to that and that is a senior season for the books, helping the Ravens snag third place in the Kansas 6A state tournament. In other words, Skyler was out there going all out like the court was her throne. But wait, there is more to Nebraska Volleyball than meets the eyes on the players and the team. One more star from the squad has been enjoying a lot of attention from the family. Yep, her parents have taken the “biggest fans” title to a whole new level.

Another huskers’ family love!

Nebraska Volleyball’s star libero, Lexi Rodriguez, has been a true game changer since she hit the Huskers’ volleyball court. With her electrifying moves and unwavering consistency, she’s become a cornerstone of their championship dreams. But behind each of these splendid performances is a family that is as close-knit as a team that has to spike or serve. That is why for Lexi the love and sacrifices of her parents are the secret to performing well in the league.

Crystal and Chris Rodriguez, Lexi’s proud parents, have turned dedication into an art form. Chris, a UPS driver, and Crystal, a volleyball club co-director, have clocked over 12,000 miles this season alone, driving weekly to watch their daughter light up the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Between juggling jobs and life’s demands, they’ve mastered the art of showing up. And they’re not traveling solo—their three Goldendoodles often join the ride, adding a touch of furry joy to their marathon journeys. Vacations? Paused. Home projects? On hold. Chris has even pulled 24-hour shifts during the holidays, all to catch Lexi in action.

Crystal’s devotion runs deep—she once spent 3 hours on the road 4 days a week shuttling Lexi to her club practices, and now crams her life into a suitcase to encourage her daughter at every event, no matter the outcome. Their presence means the world to Lexi, from sharing knowing smiles during matches to being her rock through injuries and milestones. “We always make sure she sees us,” Crystal shared on senior night, her voice heavy with love. “It’ll definitely be bittersweet to leave that place for the last time.” And Chris? He summed it up perfectly: “It’s just love and support to its core. That’s really what it all comes down to.”