Nebraska freshman libero Lexi Rodriguez (8) dives for the ball during a match against Louisville on Sept. 18 at the Devaney Sports Center.
Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett discuss a busy Wednesday for Husker football and chat Final Four volleyball.
Lexi Rodriguez has received some big honors already — Big Ten defensive player of the year and a first-team All-American award.
She netted her biggest honor Friday.
The Nebraska volleyball libero was named the AVCA freshman of the year. She is the first libero to ever earn the award and is the second Husker to be named national freshman of the year, joining four-time All-American Sarah Pavan (2004).
Rodriguez averaged 4.4 digs and 1.1 assists per set in her first season with the Huskers. The Sterling, Illinois, native has totaled at least 15 digs in 18 matches and 20 digs or more eight times while helping NU’s superb defense limit opponents to a .147 hitting percentage.
The honor comes one day before the No. 10 Huskers take on No. 4 Wisconsin in the national championship match. The final will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2.
The Huskers will see the national player of the year in the match. Wisconsin super senior Dana Rettke earned the top honor after ranking third nationally in hitting percentage and in the top 10 for blocks.
Photos: Huskers take on Pittsburgh in Final Four clash in Columbus
The Huskers celebrate a point during their national semifinal match against Pittsburgh on Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Kenzie Knuckles spikes the ball during the national semifinal match against Pittsburgh on Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Nicklin Hames (1) and Lauren Stivrins (26) try to block a Panther shot during their national semifinal match against Pittsburgh on Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Nicklin Hames makes a dig during the national semifinal match against Pittsburgh at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday.
A Husker fan holds a sign up during a national semifinal match against Pittsburgh at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday.
Nebraska’s Kenzie Knuckles goes low to pass during a national semifinal match against Pittsburgh on Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins (right) hits in front of Pittsburgh’s Kayla Lund (left) and Chiamaka Nwokolo during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Nicklin Hames (bottom) sets the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Leketor Member-Meneh during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Chinaza Ndee (left) watches her tip in front of Nebraska’s Ally Batenhorst during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Serena Gray (right) attacks against Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey during a semifinal match at the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey (top right) spikes the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Chiamaka Nwokolo during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Madi Kubik (right) spikes the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Chiamaka Nwokolo (left) and Chinaza Ndee during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause (left) spikes the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Leketor Member-Meneh during a national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Leketor Member-Meneh (right) drives the ball against Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins (left) and Nicklin Hames during a semifinal match of the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Rachel Fairbanks (left) reaches for the ball in front of Nebraska’s Ally Batenhorst during a national semifinal match in the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska players celebrate after they defeated Pittsburgh in their national semifinal match Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Ally Batenhorst celebrates a point during their national semifinal match Thursday against Pittsburgh at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lexi Rodriguez (8) celebrates as the Huskers finish off Pittsburgh in four sets in a national semifinal match Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins (left) and Lindsay Krause hug after defeating Pittsburgh in their national semifinal match at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey spikes the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Chiamaka Nwokolo during a semifinal of the NCAA women’s college volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause (left) spikes the ball in front of Pittsburgh’s Leketor Member-Meneh during a semifinal of the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Rachel Fairbanks (left) reaches for the ball in front of Nebraska’s Ally Batenhorst during a semifinal of the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause (center) spikes the ball between Pittsburgh’s Leketor Member-Meneh (13) and Serena Gray during a semifinal match in the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins (26) celebrates with teammates Ally Batenhorst and Nicklin Hames (1) following a victory against Pittsburgh in a national semifinal of the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Pittsburgh’s Serena Gray (left) spikes the ball past Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins during a semifinal match in the NCAA volleyball tournament Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
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