The NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship has reached the final four stage. Before commencing with the semifinals, the NCAA announced its first and second All-American teams. However, Bergen Reilly of the Nebraska Huskers was put on the second team instead of the first.

Bergen Reilly bagged the 2023 Big Ten Setter of the Year award in the very first year of her collegiate career. While she possessed all the qualities to make it to the first team, the Nebraska Huskers fans were shocked at seeing her in the second team. Is this really what she deserved or was she snubbed from her true position?

The assist machine of the Nebraska Huskers

Nebraska Volleyball tweeted the news of Bergen Reilly’s induction into the second All-American team on its official X account. The tweet carried the caption, “Leading the offense as a freshman and doing it like a vet. @BergenReilly: 2nd Team All-American!” 

While the tweet equates the Nebraska Huskers setter to the level of veterans, the praise is juxtaposed with not receiving the top All-American honor. Bergen Reilly raked in a whopping total of 1224 assists in her very first season, averaging 10.643 assists per set. Moreover, her season best came against the Purdue Boilermakers when she scored 54 assists. 

On the other hand, Merritt Beason and Lexi Rodriguez were selected to the AVCA All-America First Team. And, Outside hitter Harper Murray was named to the AVCA All-America Third Team.

Needless to say, the Nebraska Huskers heavily rely on their freshman setter. She played in all the 33 matches Nebraska had this season. While Reilly has already become a collegiate star, she also boasts massive contributions to the victory of the US at the 2022 U-19 Pan Am Cup.

A shining prospect right from her high school days

Bergen Reilly acted as the pivot of the US National Women’s Volleyball Team at the 2022 U-19 Pan Am Cup. Reilly didn’t just earn the Setter of the Tournament Award at the event but also outclassed her international rivals to earn the MVP of the Tournament Award as well.

She was also part of the national team at the 2022 Pan Am Final Six contest. Sharing the court with US veterans, she started two games and helped the US claim the silver medal. Although it is hard to tell if Reilly was snubbed, she has the credentials to deserve the top spot. 

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While Reilly had to settle for the second-team this year, she can bolster herself alongside first-team peers Lexi Rodriguez and Merritt Beason. The All-American trio will now focus on their semifinal match against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Will the Nebraska Huskers be able to repeat their 2017 success this year, or will they return home empty-handed?

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