The sophomore setter earned the Big Ten’s Co-Setter of the Week honor on Monday, sharing the distinction with Penn State’s Izzy Starck.

This recognition marks the second consecutive week and the fifth time this season that Reilly has received a weekly honor from the Big Ten.

Notably, she becomes the first Husker to earn five Big Ten Setter of the Week awards in a single season since Nebraska joined the conference in 2011.

Over her collegiate career, she has now garnered nine conference weekly honors. Reilly’s stellar play has also earned her a place as one of 14 semifinalists for the AVCA Division I Player of the Year Award.

Her most recent award follows an exceptional week in which she averaged 12.83 assists per set and helped the Huskers achieve a combined hitting percentage of .355.

Reilly continued her dominance with a strong performance in Nebraska’s sweep of No. 6 Wisconsin on Saturday, recording 36 assists, three digs, two kills, and one block.

Nebraska, now 28-1 and a perfect 18-0 in Big Ten play, will wrap up its regular season next weekend with matches at No. 4 Penn State and Maryland. Both games are scheduled to air on BTN.

Earlier in the week, Reilly also shone in Nebraska’s 3-0 victory over Iowa. She tallied 41 assists, eight digs, three kills, three blocks, and two aces, helping the Huskers achieve a .472 hitting percentage—their best in a Big Ten match since 2017.

The post Bergen Reilly Standout Performance For Nebraska Cornhuskers Volleyball For Fifth Time This Season appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Beason, known for her exceptional talent and dynamic style of play, joins the league’s top-seeded team after a strategic trade with the Indy Ignite.

To secure the No. 1 pick, the Vibe traded their 2nd and 9th overall picks, along with obtaining Indy’s 2025 third-round pick.

Beason steps into the nation’s premier professional women’s volleyball league, which achieved record-breaking attendance and national broadcast success during its inaugural season.

“We knew trading with Indy was a bold move, especially parting with our ninth overall pick, but it was a strategic decision we firmly believe will pay off,” said Atlanta Vibe head coach Kayla Banwarth.

“This trade not only strengthens our roster for the upcoming season, but it also positions us for long-term success while giving us a significant advantage with Indy’s third-round pick next year.”

Beason’s collegiate resume speaks for itself. The 2023 AVCA Region Player of the Year earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team after an impressive season, posting 455 kills—the ninth most in a single season for Nebraska—and adding 106 blocks.

As a senior captain for the Huskers, she played 217 sets and averaged 3.38 kills per set, contributing to Nebraska’s outstanding 66-3 record during her tenure.

Before transferring to Nebraska, Beason made her mark at the University of Florida.

There, she earned All-SEC First Team honors in 2022 and was named to the All-Freshman Team in 2021.

Over her time with the Gators, she averaged 0.765 blocks per set and amassed 565 kills. In 2023, she led Nebraska to an NCAA Championship appearance, capping her season with an impressive 4.496 points per set.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Merritt Beason to the Atlanta Vibe family,” said Colleen Craig, owner of the Atlanta Vibe.

“With her experience at the highest collegiate level, we believe she’s the right fit to help us push for a title in the coming seasons.”

Beason, a key leader during Nebraska’s deep postseason runs, brings invaluable experience and skill to the Vibe’s roster.

The team has four remaining picks in the draft and is poised to add even more top-tier collegiate talent.

Sharing her enthusiasm for the next chapter of her career, Beason said, “This is an incredible opportunity to play for such a dynamic team with a winning culture.

With their success last year motivating them, I am ready to gear up and strive for that championship title.”

The post Atlanta Vibe Choose Merritt Beason As The Top Pick For The Next Season appeared first on Sports Al Dente.