Story by NU Athletic Communications

Gena Jorgenson and Kelsey Clairmont are set for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, Ga., March&nbsp;20-23. Events will take place at the Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.

Jorgenson, a sophomore from Aberdeen, S.D. qualified for the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Because of her qualification times in the two events, she was also invited to participate in the 400 IM.&nbsp;

Jorgenson logged career-bests in all three events at the Big Ten Championships, breaking the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle school records with times of 16:01.72 and 4:41.19. She finished fifth in the 1650 freestyle and 10th in the 500 freestyle at the conference meet. Jorgenson also is fourth all-time in the 400 IM (4:14.78) after a 20th-place finish in the Big Ten final.&nbsp;

Clairmont, a sophomore from Regina, SK, Canada, will compete for the Huskers on the platform. She qualified for the event after grabbing an eighth-place finish and a score of 502.75 at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships.&nbsp;

Clairmont has amassed eight top-three finishes on the season and finished 27th in the event at the Big Ten Championships (182.40).

Jorgenson is one of 281 swimmers and Clairmont is one of 41 divers competing in the championship events.

Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 on ESPN+ with the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay competitions.

Nebraska at the NCAA Swimming &amp; Diving ChampionshipsAthens, Ga. (Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium)March 20-23, 2024 (All times central)Thursday, March 21500 Free - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.&nbsp;500 Free - Finals - 5 p.m.Friday, March 22400 IM - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.400 IM - Finals - 5 p.m.Saturday, March 23Platform - Prelims (Kelsey Clairmont) - 9 a.m.1,650 Free - Finals (Gena Jorgenson) - 5 p.m.Platform - Finals - 5 p.m.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsGena Jorgenson and Kelsey Clairmont are set for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, Ga., March&nbsp;20-23. Events will take place at the Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.Jorgenson, a sophomore from Aberdeen, S.D. qualified for the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Because of her qualification times in the two events, she was also invited to participate in the 400 IM.&nbsp;Jorgenson logged career-bests in all three events at the Big Ten Championships, breaking the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle school records with times of 16:01.72 and 4:41.19. She finished fifth in the 1650 freestyle and 10th in the 500 freestyle at the conference meet. Jorgenson also is fourth all-time in the 400 IM (4:14.78) after a 20th-place finish in the Big Ten final.&nbsp;Clairmont, a sophomore from Regina, SK, Canada, will compete for the Huskers on the platform. She qualified for the event after grabbing an eighth-place finish and a score of 502.75 at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships.&nbsp;Clairmont has amassed eight top-three finishes on the season and finished 27th in the event at the Big Ten Championships (182.40).Jorgenson is one of 281 swimmers and Clairmont is one of 41 divers competing in the championship events.Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 on ESPN+ with the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay competitions.Nebraska at the NCAA Swimming &amp; Diving ChampionshipsAthens, Ga. (Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium)March 20-23, 2024 (All times central)Thursday, March 21500 Free - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.&nbsp;500 Free - Finals - 5 p.m.Friday, March 22400 IM - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.400 IM - Finals - 5 p.m.Saturday, March 23Platform - Prelims (Kelsey Clairmont) - 9 a.m.1,650 Free - Finals (Gena Jorgenson) - 5 p.m.Platform - Finals - 5 p.m.

Jorgenson, Clairmont head to NCAA Championships

Nebraska gymnast Emma Spence was named a Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. She shares the honor with Sierra Brooks of Michigan.&nbsp;

In the Huskers’ meet at Arkansas on Friday, March 15, Spence won the all-around title with a 39.650 that tied her career high. She scored a 9.950 on floor, which also tied her career best, along with a 9.875 on bars, 9.925 on vault and 9.900 on beam. Her beam score earned her a share of the event title.&nbsp;

Along with her personal records, the junior contributed to a team season-high score of 197.375 and season-high scores on vault (49.375) and beam (49.400).&nbsp;

The last time a Husker garnered Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors was on Jan. 22, 2019, when Taylor Houchin won the award. Senior Kinsey Davis has been named a Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week twice this season.&nbsp;

Gymnast:&nbsp;Emma Spence (Nebraska), Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

Event Specialist: Reyna Guggino (Michigan), Olivia Zsarmani (Michigan State), Mya Hooten (Minnesota)

Freshman: Lyden Saltness (Illinois), Jordan Lyden (Minnesota), Kalea McElligott (Penn State)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska gymnast Emma Spence was named a Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. She shares the honor with Sierra Brooks of Michigan.&nbsp;In the Huskers’ meet at Arkansas on Friday, March 15, Spence won the all-around title with a 39.650 that tied her career high. She scored a 9.950 on floor, which also tied her career best, along with a 9.875 on bars, 9.925 on vault and 9.900 on beam. Her beam score earned her a share of the event title.&nbsp;Along with her personal records, the junior contributed to a team season-high score of 197.375 and season-high scores on vault (49.375) and beam (49.400).&nbsp;The last time a Husker garnered Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors was on Jan. 22, 2019, when Taylor Houchin won the award. Senior Kinsey Davis has been named a Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week twice this season.&nbsp;Big Ten Weekly AwardsGymnast:&nbsp;Emma Spence (Nebraska), Sierra Brooks (Michigan)Event Specialist: Reyna Guggino (Michigan), Olivia Zsarmani (Michigan State), Mya Hooten (Minnesota)Freshman: Lyden Saltness (Illinois), Jordan Lyden (Minnesota), Kalea McElligott (Penn State)

Spence tabbed Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week

Nebraska has agreed to a contract extension with 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year&nbsp;Fred Hoiberg, as announced by Interim Athletic Director&nbsp;Dennis Leblanc&nbsp;and University of Nebraska Interim President&nbsp;Chris Kabourek&nbsp;on Tuesday.

The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, extends through the 2028-29 season and will pay the Husker coach $4.25 million next season, with annual increases in each of the subsequent contract years.

“I’m appreciative of the confidence our administration has shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “With our history at the University of Nebraska, this is a special place for our family. We want to continue to build a program that our fans can embrace and one that represents the values of Nebraskans. With the phenomenal facilities and fan support in place, we are positioned to do things that have never been accomplished by the Husker men’s basketball program.”

Nebraska enters Friday’s NCAA Tournament game against Texas A&amp;M with a 23-10 overall record and a No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Regional. Nebraska’s 23 victories are the second-most in school history and the team’s third-place Big Ten finish was the Huskers’ best since a tie for second in the Big Eight in 1993.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with five men’s basketball head coaches in my four decades in Nebraska Athletics, and I am more confident than ever in the direction of our men’s basketball program,” Leblanc said. “Coach Hoiberg is a great representative of the University of Nebraska, and our program has shown great progress and improvement over the past two seasons.&nbsp; Fred has shown that he is committed to leading a program that succeeds on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We look forward to watching him and our team play on Friday in the NCAA Tournament.”

Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has improved its win total by six victories or more each of the last two seasons, one of only four Division I programs to accomplish that feat.

“I’m thrilled that we are keeping Coach Hoiberg a Husker,” Kabourek said. “He’s all-in on Nebraska and I love what he’s doing to help our team compete on and off the court. Coach Hoiberg is an outstanding representative of the University of Nebraska and I know he will continue to lead the young men in our basketball program to great success, both as players and as leaders in the classroom and in the community.”

Leblanc and Kabourek also confirmed that discussions are underway with Nebraska Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amy Williams regarding a contract extension to recognize her success in leading the Husker program. The Nebraska women’s basketball team owns a 22-11 record and is making its third NCAA appearance under Williams’ direction. The Huskers take on Texas A&amp;M in Corvallis, Oregon, on Friday evening.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska has agreed to a contract extension with 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year&nbsp;Fred Hoiberg, as announced by Interim Athletic Director&nbsp;Dennis Leblanc&nbsp;and University of Nebraska Interim President&nbsp;Chris Kabourek&nbsp;on Tuesday.The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, extends through the 2028-29 season and will pay the Husker coach $4.25 million next season, with annual increases in each of the subsequent contract years.“I’m appreciative of the confidence our administration has shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “With our history at the University of Nebraska, this is a special place for our family. We want to continue to build a program that our fans can embrace and one that represents the values of Nebraskans. With the phenomenal facilities and fan support in place, we are positioned to do things that have never been accomplished by the Husker men’s basketball program.”Nebraska enters Friday’s NCAA Tournament game against Texas A&amp;M with a 23-10 overall record and a No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Regional. Nebraska’s 23 victories are the second-most in school history and the team’s third-place Big Ten finish was the Huskers’ best since a tie for second in the Big Eight in 1993.“I have had the opportunity to work closely with five men’s basketball head coaches in my four decades in Nebraska Athletics, and I am more confident than ever in the direction of our men’s basketball program,” Leblanc said. “Coach Hoiberg is a great representative of the University of Nebraska, and our program has shown great progress and improvement over the past two seasons.&nbsp; Fred has shown that he is committed to leading a program that succeeds on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We look forward to watching him and our team play on Friday in the NCAA Tournament.”Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has improved its win total by six victories or more each of the last two seasons, one of only four Division I programs to accomplish that feat.“I’m thrilled that we are keeping Coach Hoiberg a Husker,” Kabourek said. “He’s all-in on Nebraska and I love what he’s doing to help our team compete on and off the court. Coach Hoiberg is an outstanding representative of the University of Nebraska and I know he will continue to lead the young men in our basketball program to great success, both as players and as leaders in the classroom and in the community.”Leblanc and Kabourek also confirmed that discussions are underway with Nebraska Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amy Williams regarding a contract extension to recognize her success in leading the Husker program. The Nebraska women’s basketball team owns a 22-11 record and is making its third NCAA appearance under Williams’ direction. The Huskers take on Texas A&amp;M in Corvallis, Oregon, on Friday evening.

NU announces contract extension for 2024 Big Ten Coach of Year Fred Hoiberg

Mason McConnaughey recorded a career-high nine strikeouts, as the Huskers picked up their 11th win in the last 13 games with an 11-5 victory vs. Omaha on Tuesday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

Nebraska (14-5) totaled 11 runs on nine hits with two errors while Omaha (3-16) recorded five runs on six hits and a pair of errors.

Will Walsh was 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning, becoming the first Husker to homer in three straight games since Max Anderson in 2023.

Josh Caron finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI, while Cole Evans drove in a pair of runs. Riley Silva drew a trio of walks, with Joshua Overbeek and Rhett Stokes each tallying three runs scored.

McConnaughey tossed five scoreless innings in his first career start with the Huskers. The sophomore hasn't allowed a run across his last five outings, totaling 12.1 innings pitched with 21 punchouts to only six walks.&nbsp;

Tucker Timmerman allowed four runs, all earned, before Evan Borst, Kyle Perry and Casey Daiss combined to retire seven of the final eight batters.&nbsp;

The Huskers jumped out front with a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Walks to Silva and Overbeek set up Evans’ two-RBI single to give the Big Red the early advantage.

Nebraska tacked on another run in the second without recording a hit to build the lead to 3-0. Consecutive walks to Stokes and Dylan Carey and a wild pitch placed runners on second and third with one out, while a second wild pitch in the inning brought home Stokes.

McConnaughey worked around a one-out double in the fourth and picked up his eighth strikeout of the night to send a 3-0 game into the bottom of the fourth.

A pair of RBI singles grew the lead to five for the Big Red through four innings. Stokes began the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch double to center and came around to score on Case Sanderson’s pinch-hit one-out RBI single to center. Silva drew a full-count walk and swiped second before touching home on Overbeek’s RBI single through the right side.

McConnaughey worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth, while a pair of extra-base hits extended the lead to seven for the Huskers in the bottom of the fifth.

Walsh homered for the third consecutive game, drilling a one-out 363-foot solo shot into the berm in left field. Stokes drew a two-out walk on full count, while Carey lined an RBI double into the left-center alley to plate Stokes and make it a seven-run game.

Timmerman replaced McConnaughey in the sixth and worked around a one-out infield single to hang a scoreless frame in relief.

Overbeek was hit by the pitch and stole second to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Caron came through by driving in Overbeek on what would have been an RBI double down the left-field line, but the ball ricocheted off the umpire at third base and Caron had to settle with an RBI single.

The Maverick trimmed the Big Red’s eight-run advantage in half with four runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Omaha, while Grant Sommers was plunked on the first pitch to plate the Mavericks’ first run.

Noah Greise cleared the bases with a three-RBI double down the left-field line to make it an 8-4 game through seven innings.

Omaha scored its fifth run of the night after a wild pitch and errant throw at third base brought the Mavericks within three.

The Huskers answered immediately with three on two hits and a pair of Omaha errors to grow the Big Red’s lead to 11-5 heading into the ninth inning. Caron tallied his second and third RBI on the night with a double down the right-field line and was driven in on Anglim's single back to the pitcher.

Nebraska returns to play tomorrow night, as the Huskers welcome North Dakota State to Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Tomorrow night’s first pitch between the Huskers and Bison is set for 6:05 p.m.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsMason McConnaughey recorded a career-high nine strikeouts, as the Huskers picked up their 11th win in the last 13 games with an 11-5 victory vs. Omaha on Tuesday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.Nebraska (14-5) totaled 11 runs on nine hits with two errors while Omaha (3-16) recorded five runs on six hits and a pair of errors.Will Walsh was 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning, becoming the first Husker to homer in three straight games since Max Anderson in 2023.Josh Caron finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI, while Cole Evans drove in a pair of runs. Riley Silva drew a trio of walks, with Joshua Overbeek and Rhett Stokes each tallying three runs scored.McConnaughey tossed five scoreless innings in his first career start with the Huskers. The sophomore hasn't allowed a run across his last five outings, totaling 12.1 innings pitched with 21 punchouts to only six walks.&nbsp;Tucker Timmerman allowed four runs, all earned, before Evan Borst, Kyle Perry and Casey Daiss combined to retire seven of the final eight batters.&nbsp;The Huskers jumped out front with a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Walks to Silva and Overbeek set up Evans’ two-RBI single to give the Big Red the early advantage.Nebraska tacked on another run in the second without recording a hit to build the lead to 3-0. Consecutive walks to Stokes and Dylan Carey and a wild pitch placed runners on second and third with one out, while a second wild pitch in the inning brought home Stokes.McConnaughey worked around a one-out double in the fourth and picked up his eighth strikeout of the night to send a 3-0 game into the bottom of the fourth.A pair of RBI singles grew the lead to five for the Big Red through four innings. Stokes began the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch double to center and came around to score on Case Sanderson’s pinch-hit one-out RBI single to center. Silva drew a full-count walk and swiped second before touching home on Overbeek’s RBI single through the right side.McConnaughey worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth, while a pair of extra-base hits extended the lead to seven for the Huskers in the bottom of the fifth.Walsh homered for the third consecutive game, drilling a one-out 363-foot solo shot into the berm in left field. Stokes drew a two-out walk on full count, while Carey lined an RBI double into the left-center alley to plate Stokes and make it a seven-run game.Timmerman replaced McConnaughey in the sixth and worked around a one-out infield single to hang a scoreless frame in relief.Overbeek was hit by the pitch and stole second to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Caron came through by driving in Overbeek on what would have been an RBI double down the left-field line, but the ball ricocheted off the umpire at third base and Caron had to settle with an RBI single.The Maverick trimmed the Big Red’s eight-run advantage in half with four runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Omaha, while Grant Sommers was plunked on the first pitch to plate the Mavericks’ first run.Noah Greise cleared the bases with a three-RBI double down the left-field line to make it an 8-4 game through seven innings.Omaha scored its fifth run of the night after a wild pitch and errant throw at third base brought the Mavericks within three.The Huskers answered immediately with three on two hits and a pair of Omaha errors to grow the Big Red’s lead to 11-5 heading into the ninth inning. Caron tallied his second and third RBI on the night with a double down the right-field line and was driven in on Anglim's single back to the pitcher.Nebraska returns to play tomorrow night, as the Huskers welcome North Dakota State to Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Tomorrow night’s first pitch between the Huskers and Bison is set for 6:05 p.m.

McConnaughey’s career-high nine Strikeouts leads Huskers Past Omaha

The No. 6 seed Nebraska women’s basketball team opens the 2024 NCAA Tournament by tangling with 11th-seeded Texas A&amp;M in the tournament’s first round in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 22.

Tip-off between the Huskers (22-11, 11-7 Big Ten) and the Aggies (19-12, 6-10 SEC) is set for Friday at 9:30 p.m. (CT)/7:30 p.m. (PT) at Gill Coliseum.&nbsp;

The game will be televised live by ESPNU with Jason Ross Jr. and Aja Ellison on the call.

Fans also can listen across the Huskers Radio Network, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 590 AM in Omaha with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch calling the action. Pregame will start at 9 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

The Huskers, who ran to a runner-up finish at the TIAA Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis, March 10, earned a No. 6 NCAA seed after finishing fifth in the Big Ten regular-season standings. The Huskers added wins over Purdue, and NCAA qualifiers Michigan State and Maryland at the conference tournament before falling in overtime to AP No. 3 Iowa and NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed Iowa in the championship game.&nbsp;

The Big Red is 8-3 over its last 11 games with five wins over NCAA Tournament teams during that stretch, including an 82-79 win over then-AP No. 2 and NCAA No. 1 seed Iowa (Feb. 11). Nebraska’s losses during the last 11 games came at No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Iowa in Minneapolis and a one-point loss at NET Top 50 Illinois to end the regular season.

Nebraska’s No. 6 seed is its highest in the NCAA Tournament since 2014, when the Big Ten Tournament champion Huskers earned a No. 4 seed at UCLA and won their most recent game in the Big Dance by beating Fresno State in the first round before falling to BYU in the second round.

In 2013, Nebraska competed as the No. 6 seed and defeated No. 11 Chattanooga in the first round before upsetting No. 3 seed and AP No. 9 Texas A&amp;M at Reed Arena in College Station to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

First-team All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski and 2023 first-team All-Big Ten guard Jaz Shelley both earned spots on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Markowski, a 6-3 post from Lincoln, averaged 16.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in four conference tournament games, including 23 points and 13 rebounds in the championship game. Shelley, a 5-9 point guard from Moe, Australia (pronounced MO-ee) averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists, including 16 points and a career-high 13 assists in the championship game. She had 30 points and nine assists in a semifinal victory over Maryland.&nbsp;

Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year Natalie Potts was outstanding in the Big Ten Tournament as well,&nbsp; averaging 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while tying the Nebraska conference tournament record with nine blocked shots. The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., was an eight-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and claimed honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition from the league media. The two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year is coming off a 21-point, nine-rebound effort in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Logan Nissley joined Potts on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The 6-0 guard from Bismarck, N.D., has started the last eight games for the Huskers and is averaging 8.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a starter. A teammate of Texas A&amp;M’s Lauren Ware at Bismarck Century, Nissley had 13 points and five assists in the Big Ten Championship Game. Nissley was a three-time North Dakota High School Basketball Player of the Year and a two-time state volleyball player of the year.

#6 Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-11, 11-7 Big Ten)vs. #11 Texas A&amp;M Aggies (19-12, 6-10 SEC)Friday, March 22, 2024, 9:30 (CT)/7:30 p.m. (PT)Gill Coliseum - Corvallis, OregonTelevision:&nbsp;ESPNU (Live Stream ESPN+)Jason Ross Jr. (PBP), Aja Ellison (Analyst)Live Radio:&nbsp;Huskers Radio Network (9 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)B107.3 FM (Lincoln), 590 AM (Omaha)Live Stats:&nbsp;Huskers.com

#6 Nebraska Cornhuskers&nbsp;(22-11, 11-7 Big Ten - NCAA NET 25)22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 10.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Jr. - C/F - 15.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 13.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 6.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpgOff the Bench0 - Darian White - 5-6 - Gr. - G - 6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg14 - Callin Hake - 5-9 - So. - G - 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 3.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 2.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg42 - Maddie Krull - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.1 ppg, 1.7 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Eighth Season at Nebraska (136-110);&nbsp;17th Season Overall (329-219)

#11 Texas A&amp;M Aggies&nbsp;(19-12, 6-10 SEC - NCAA NET 41)2 - Janiah Barker - 6-4 - So. - F - 12.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg32 - Lauren Ware - 6-5 - RJr. - F - 9.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg1 - Endyia Rogers - 5-7 - Gr. - G - 12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg5 - Aicha Coulibaly - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 13.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg24 - Sahara Jones - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpgOff the Bench15 - Sole’ Williams - 5-9 - Fr. - G - 5.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg3 - Tineya Hylton - 5-7 - Jr. - G - 4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg00 - Sydney Bowles - 6-0 - So. - G - 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg14 - Maliyah Johnson - 6-3 - RJr. - F - 2.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg4 - Kay Kay Green - 5-6 - Sr. - G - 2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Joni Taylor (Alabama, 2002)Second Season at Texas A&amp;M (28-32);&nbsp;Ninth Season Overall (168-107)

Coach Joni Taylor leads Texas A&amp;M into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed in Corvallis after taking the Aggies to a 19-12 record that included a 6-10 SEC mark in 2023-24.

Taylor is in her second season with the Aggies, who have improved 10 games in the win column over a 9-20 campaign in 2022-23. The 2021 SEC Coach of the Year at Georgia, Taylor spent seven seasons leading the Bulldogs to four NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round.

Texas A&amp;M has lost four of its last five games, with all four games coming to NCAA Tournament teams (Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama and No. 1 South Carolina). The Aggies picked up a decisive 72-56 win over Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament first round, effectively knocking the Bulldogs out of the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;

Texas A&amp;M features a strong starting five led by Aicha Coulibaly, who averages 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team-best 2.4 steals per game. Coulibaly has hit just 22 percent (9-41) of her threes on the season. Coulibaly, from Bamako, Mali, attended IMG Academy before spending her first three seasons at Auburn.

Endyia Rogers, a 5-9 graduate point guard, has added 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-leading 3.9 assists. A&amp;M’s most prolific three-point threat, Rogers has hit 34.1 percent (47-138) from long range. She missed several games with an injury but returned to action at the SEC Tournament. Rogers spent her first two seasons at USC, before playing the past two years at Oregon.&nbsp;

Sahara Jones rounds out the Aggie backcourt with 7.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The 6-0 guard supplies suffocating defense but has hit just 11-of-56 threes (.196) and 65.6 percent of her free throws. Jones was A&amp;M’s No. 2 scorer (9.2 ppg) last season.

As a team, Texas A&amp;M is hitting just 27.9 percent of its three-point attempts while connecting on just 5.2 three-pointers per game. However, the Aggies have shut down the opposition from long range, holding foes to just 4.7 threes per game. The Huskers are averaging 8.5 threes per game.

Janiah Barker, a 6-4 sophomore forward, leads A&amp;M inside with 12.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She is also a threat from long range, hitting 21-of-63 threes (.333). She was A&amp;M’s leading scorer a year ago at 12.7 points per game.

Lauren Ware, who spent her first three seasons at Arizona, has added more size and defensive dominance. The 6-5 redshirt junior averages 9.1 points and team bests of 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She was a high school teammate of Nebraska Big Ten All-Freshman guard Logan Nissley at Bismarck Century High School in 2019-20.

Maliyah Johnson adds depth in the post for the Aggies. The 6-3 redshirt junior is averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds behind Barker, who has fouled out five times this season, and Ware, who has fouled out twice.

Freshman Sole’ Williams has provided a long range threat off the bench by hitting 33.7 percent (31-92) of her threes while averaging 5.0 points per game.

Tineya Hylton (4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Sydney Bowles (3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Kay Kay Green (2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg) add more backcourt depth in A&amp;M’s 10-player rotation. Bowles (9.1 ppg, 2022-23) and Green (7.2 ppg, 2022-23) were regular starters for the Aggies last season.

As a team, Texas A&amp;M is averaging 68.7 points and hitting 41 percent from the field, but just 67.8 percent from the free throw line. The Aggies own a plus-7.5 rebound margin and a plus-1.9 turnover margin. They have held opponents to just 58.6 points on 37.1 percent shooting.

After going 12-1 in non-conference play, A&amp;M averaged just 61.9 points in SEC play, while allowing 65.5 points. The Aggies hit just 39.5 percent of their shots against league foes, including just 27.2 percent of their threes. They managed a plus-1.9 rebound margin in conference play and held a minus-1.1 turnover margin. SEC foes hit 34.8 percent of their threes against A&amp;M and 76.3 percent of their free throws.

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M have faced three common opponents this year. The Aggies defeated Purdue 72-58 in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nov. 16). The Huskers went 3-0 against Purdue, including a 77-65 win at Mackey Arena (Feb. 17). Texas A&amp;M defeated Kansas 63-52 in College Station (Dec. 3), while the Huskers fell to the Jayhawks in Lawrence 69-52 (Dec. 20). A&amp;M defeated Lamar 83-51 in College Station (Dec. 6), just two weeks after Nebraska beat Lamar 75-61 (Nov. 23) in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Nebraska vs. Texas A&amp;M Series History

Nebraska leads the all-time series with Texas A&amp;M 15-9, including No. 24 NU’s 74-63 win at No. 9 Texas A&amp;M in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in College Station on March 25, 2013. The sixth-seeded Huskers upset the third-seeded Aggies at Reed Arena to advance to the 2013 NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Lindsey Moore led Nebraska with 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Jordan Hooper added 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Texan Hailie Sample pitched in her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Friday’s game between the Huskers and Aggies will mark the first time in 10 games that at least one of the two teams was not ranked in the AP Top 25, although Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament at No. 25 in the NET rankings. Both teams were ranked in the top 25 in three of the last four meetings, including Texas A&amp;M’s 80-70 win over the Huskers in the 2010 Big 12 Tournament semifinals. The No. 11 Aggies handed the 30-0 Huskers their first loss of the season. Texas A&amp;M went on to win the 2010 Big 12 Tournament title after Nebraska won the Big 12 regular-season crown as the first team ever to go undefeated (16-0) in Big 12 regular-season play. Nebraska went on to earn a No. 1 seed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Texas A&amp;M lost in the NCAA second round by one point to Gonzaga in Seattle.

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M met every season as Big 12 foes from 1996-97 through 2010-11, before the Huskers joined the Big Ten and the Aggies headed to the SEC. The No. 5 Aggies defeated the Huskers 84-49 in Nebraska’s last regular-season Big 12 game (March 5, 2011) in College Station.

The first meeting between the two programs came on Feb. 27, 1981, when the Huskers defeated Texas A&amp;M, 71-64, in College Station. Nebraska was victorious in nine of the first 10 meetings in series history, ending with a 74-71 win in Lincoln on Jan. 22, 2000.&nbsp;

Nebraska is 8-1 all-time against Texas A&amp;M in Lincoln, including a 71-60 win by the No. 4 Huskers over the No. 12 Aggies at the Devaney Center on Feb. 6, 2010 - the last meeting between the two teams in Lincoln. The series is tied 6-6 in College Station. Texas A&amp;M owns a 2-1 edge on neutral courts with all three meetings coming at the Big 12 Tournament (Kansas City-1999, 2010; Dallas-2006).

The Nebraksa men’s and women’s basketball teams both won at least 22 games in the same season for the first time in school history, as both teams advanced to March Madness for the first time together since 2014. The Husker men (23-10) earned the No. 8 seed and will also play Texas A&amp;M in the first round at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday at 5:50 p.m. (TNT).

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M are two of just 22 schools to place both their men’s and women’s teams&nbsp; in the 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournaments. The only other Big Ten school with both teams in the field is Michigan State, and both of the Spartan teams earned No. 9 seeds.

The 2024 season marks the fourth time in school history that both the Husker men’s and women’s teams have made the NCAA fields together, joining the 1993, 1998 and 2014 seasons. The Husker women won NCAA Tournament games in each of those three seasons.

The Husker women are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three years, joining a trip as a No. 8 seed in 2022. The Huskers lost 68-55 to No. 9 seed Gonzaga in Louisville, Ky. (March 18, 2022).

Nebraska’s last NCAA Tournament win came against Fresno State (74-55, March 22, 2014) at UCLA in the 2014 NCAA First Round.

The Huskers have advanced to a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteens in school history, with the most recent coming in 2013 as a No. 6 seed through No. 3 seed Texas A&amp;M in College Station. Nebraska advanced to its first-ever NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2010, when the Huskers earned a No. 1 seed.

Nebraska is making its 16th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and its fourth as a No. 6 seed. The Huskers are 8-15 all-time in the Big Dance and 3-3 as a No. 6 seed. The Huskers won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game as a No. 6 seed with an 81-58 win over San Diego in Lincoln (March 17, 1993). The 1993 Huskers followed with a loss at No. 3 seed USC in Los Angeles.

The No. 6 Huskers lost to No. 11 Kansas in 2012 in Little Rock, before advancing to the 2013 NCAA Sweet Sixteen as a No. 6 seed with wins over No. 11 Chattanooga and No. 3 Texas A&amp;M in College Station, Texas.

Nebraska made its only trip in history to Corvallis in 1995-96, when the Huskers lost at No. 17 Oregon State, 89-65, on Dec. 2, 1995 in the Gazette Times Classic. Current Nebraska Head Coach Amy Williams was on the Husker roster but did not play in the game.

The only other trip to Oregon the Huskers have ever made came with a 73-67 loss at Oregon in Eugene on Jan. 3, 1985 - the only meeting in history with the Ducks.

Nebraska is 0-3 all-time against Oregon State, dating back to an 84-71 loss to the Beavers at the California Invitational (Dec. 5, 1980). NU’s most recent meeting with Oregon State ended with a 75-67 loss to OSU in the WNIT on March 22, 2004 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Both Nebraska (Jaz Shelley) and Texas A&amp;M (Endyia Rogers) feature point guards who are transfers from Oregon. Shelley is in her third season at Nebraska after spending her first two seasons (2019-20, 2020-21) with the Ducks. Shelley is averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and team bests of 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Rogers spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons at Oregon after playing her first two seasons (2019-20, 2020-21) with USC. Rogers is averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-best 3.9 assists.

Markowski Climbs to Top of Double-Double List

Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski is making history as the top double-double producer in the history of Husker basketball. Markowski has notched 19 double-doubles in 33 games this season to join first-team All-Americans Kelsey Griffin (2006-10) and Jordan Hooper (2011-14) atop the Husker career double-doubles list with 40. Griffin and Hooper both produced their school records in four full seasons of starting every game for the Big Red, while Markowski is closing her third season.

Markowski’s next double-double will put her alone atop Nebraska’s career double-doubles list and will give her 20 on the season, matching Griffin’s school-record 20 as a first-team All-American and National Player of the Year finalist in 2009-10.

A first-team All-Big Ten selection, Markowski produced her most recent double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds in Nebraska’s Big Ten Championship Game overtime loss to No. 3 Iowa in Minneapolis (March 10).

The Big Ten All-Tournament choice also posted a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan State (March 8).

Markowski, who earned her second appearance on the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding at 10.8 boards per game, including 11.5 in conference play. She also ranks seventh in the league in scoring at 15.9 points per game.

She produced the biggest double-double of her career with 20 points and 21 rebounds in a 77-65 road win at Purdue (Feb. 17). It was just the fifth 20-point, 20-rebound performance in Husker history. She added 12 points and 10 boards in a win over Northwestern (Feb. 20), before contributing 10 points and 12 boards in a win over Minnesota (Feb. 24).

Markowski has scored in double figures 31 times in 33 games this season, including eight 20-point performances. She was held to nine points and 16 rebounds at No. 2 Ohio State (Feb. 14) and had nine points and 13 rebounds in a Big Ten semifinal win over Maryland (March 9).

The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Markowski earned her second straight appearance on the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List this year. Last season, as the only sophomore on the list, she advanced to the Midseason Top 10 for the award.

Markowski ranks sixth on the Nebraska career rebound list with 942.

With 13 rebounds in the Big Ten Championship Game (March 10), Alexis Markowski pushed her season total to 355, passing first-team All-American Kelsey Griffin (354, 2009-10) for the No. 3 spot on Nebraska’s single-season rebounding list.

Markowski’s 355 rebounds are the second-highest total by a junior in school history, trailing only 417 boards by Janet Smith (1980-81).

Markowski also set Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament rebounding record with 45 boards in four tournament games in 2024, including three straight double-figure rebound games to close the tournament. She has pulled down double-figure boards in eight of Nebraska’s last 10 contests.

She has averaged 12.3 rebounds over the last 10 games to help the Huskers to a 7-3 record down the stretch, including four wins over NCAA Tournament teams, beginning with a win over then-No. 2 Iowa (Feb. 11).

Markowski, who owns 21 double-digit rebound performances on the season, owns 942 career rebounds in three seasons to rank No. 6 in Husker history.&nbsp;

Shelley, Markowski Named to Big Ten All-Tournament Team

Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski produced two of the best individual performances by Huskers in conference tournament history to earn spots on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team following Nebraska’s appearance in the championship game (March 10) at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Shelley set the Nebraska conference (Big Ten, Big 12, Big Eight) tournament scoring record with 82 points (20.5 ppg), breaking the mark set by first-team All-American and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Hooper who scored 79 points in leading the Huskers to a championship game appearance in 2012.Shelley also broke NU’s tournament assist record with 34 (8.0 apg), breaking the mark of 30 set by 2014 Big Ten Tournament MVP Rachel Theriot. Shelley also smashed Nebraska’s conference tournament season (16) and career (35) three-point records. The previous conference tournament three-point mark was held by Hooper, who hit 20. Hooper hit her 20 threes in four seasons as a starter, while Shelley has played just three seasons at Nebraska.

Shelley set the Big Ten Tournament single-game three-point record with nine threes against Illinois on her way to 32 points in a win over Illinois in 2022. The nine threes are also an overall Nebraska individual three-point record.

Markowski added a record performance of her own with 45 rebounds (11.3 rpg) over four conference tournament games. Her 45 boards were not only a Nebraska record but the second-highest total by any player in Big Ten Tournament history. Markowsk’s 66 points were the fifth-most ever scored by a Husker in a conference tournament, while her 15 assists were also the fifth-most by a Husker in a conference tournament. The only players with more assists in conference tournament history than Markowski are the three best point guards in school history (Lindsey Moore, Jaz Shelley and Rachel Theriot).

Markowski Named First-Team All-Big TenAlexis Markowski led an impressive hardware haul by the Huskers when All-Big Ten teams were announced on Tuesday, March 5. The 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., captured first-team all-conference honors for the first time after claiming second-team accolades in 2023 and 2022, when she was also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Markowski, who ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding (10.8 rpg) and seventh in scoring (15.9 ppg), has produced 19 double-doubles during the season, including 11 in Big Ten play and two more in the Big Ten Tournament. She was named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll seven times in 2023-24.&nbsp;

Jaz Shelley, a 2023 first-team All-Big Ten selection, claimed second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time in three seasons at Nebraska. The 5-9 guard from Moe, Australia (pronounced MO-ee) was a second-team All-Big Ten choice in 2022, when she was also a member of the media’s Big Ten All-Defensive Team.&nbsp;

Shelley ranks second among the Huskers in scoring (13.7 ppg), while leading the team in assists (5.6 apg), steals (1.7 spg) and made three-pointers (82). She has added 4.2 rebounds per game.

Shelley and Markowski were both preseason first-team All-Big Ten heading into the 2023-24 season, and Markowski was also preseason first-team All-Big Ten in 2022-23.

Potts Earns Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award

Natalie Potts capped an outstanding first season at Nebraska by being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches on Tuesday, March 5.

The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., claimed her eighth Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award (March 4), before earning NU’s third Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year honor in the last eight years.

The Big Ten’s most consistent freshman from start to finish since earning the league’s first freshman-of-the-week honor (Nov. 13), Potts claimed at least one weekly award in all five months of the campaign. Her eight weekly honors matched teammate Alexis Markowski’s award total from her 2022 Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year campaign.

A two-time Missouri MaxPreps High School Player of the Year, Potts averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the last two weeks of the regular season.

She added 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in helping the Huskers to the Big Ten Championship Game, where she finished with 21 points and nine rebounds against No. 3 Iowa.

For the season, she led all Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (5.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.509), while ranking second in scoring (10.6 ppg). She also ranked among freshman leaders in free throw percentage (.824).

A unanimous choice by the coaches to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Potts has produced five double-doubles, including 15 points and 11 rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan State (March 8). She also had game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Northwestern (Feb. 20), on her way to her seventh Big Ten weekly freshman honor.

Potts, who has started all 33 games for the Big Red, was named the No. 14 impact freshman in the nation by ESPN on Dec. 22. She is just the 10th freshman in school history to start every game of her first season, and her next start will match Lindsey Moore (34, 2009-10) for the most starts in school history by a freshman.

Potts owns 20 double-figure scoring games on the season, including her second 20-point effort of the year with 21 points in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 3 Iowa. She scored a season-high 22 points against Lamar (Nov. 23).

She earned her sixth Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award with 14 points and six rebounds in Nebraska’s 82-79 upset of No. 2 Iowa (Feb. 11). She produced eight points and five rebounds in helping the Huskers outscore the Hawkeyes 27-10 in the decisive fourth quarter. It followed a 12-point performance in a huge road win at Michigan (Feb. 6).&nbsp;

Potts had 11 points, six rebounds and a career-high four steals in a win over Purdue (Jan. 31).&nbsp;

Potts produced her third career double-double with game highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Michigan (Jan. 17).

She posted her second double-double with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in NU’s win over Maryland (Dec. 31), including 13 points and 12 boards in the second half.&nbsp;

Potts scored all 16 of her points in the second half in a win at Wisconsin (Jan. 4). She opened league play with 10 points, five boards and two blocks in a win at Michigan State (Dec. 9).&nbsp;

Potts had 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes in a win over UNCW (Dec. 5).&nbsp;

Potts won her second Big Ten Freshman award (Nov. 22) after averaging 14.0 points in two games at the St. Pete Showcase. She opened the week with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field, including a three-pointer, in a 75-61 win over Lamar.

She opened another strong week by notching her first double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Florida Atlantic (Nov. 29). She followed with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal in a win over Georgia Tech (Dec. 2).

Potts averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block to earn her first Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award (Nov. 13).

She backed up her opening week with 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in her second week, including 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting against No. 22 Creighton (Nov. 19). She had seven points, 11 rebounds and a career-high three blocks in a win over Alcorn State (Nov. 14).

Nissley Joins Potts on Big Ten All-Freshman Team

Nebraska freshman Logan Nissley made a late-season push to earn Big Ten All-Freshman honors from both the coaches and media (March 5). The 6-0 guard from Bismarck, N.D., played a major role in NU’s success in February, averaging 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists over seven games, helping NU to a 5-2 record in the month.

Nissley has joined the starting lineup the past eight games, helping the Huskers to a 6-2 record. She has scored in double figures four times as a starter, including 11 points - all in the third quarter - in Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal win over Michigan State (March 8). She closed the tournament with 13 points and five assists in a career-high 34 minutes against No. 3 Iowa in the championship game (March 10).

Huskers take on Texas A&M Friday in Corvallis

Nebraska volleyball's May 4 spring match against Denver has been moved from Kearney High School to UNK's Health and Sports Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.&nbsp;

The match was originally scheduled to be played in the Kearney High School Gymnasium (approximate capacity 3,000), but in an effort to accommodate more fans will be relocated to the 5,000-seat home of the UNK Lopers. The Huskers played their 2017 spring match at Kearney High School but have not played a spring match at UNK's Health and Sports Center. Kearney Public Schools will remain the primary host, working in partnership with Nebraska Athletics, UNK and the Kearney Visitors Bureau.

Tickets will still go on sale to the public Tuesday, April 2 at 10 a.m., at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. Tickets for the match are $12 for upper-bowl bleacher seats and $25 for lower-bowl chairback seats. All seats are general admission. Tickets must be purchased in person, with cash only, by someone at least 16 years old. A maximum of four tickets are available per person. Lost tickets will not be replaced. Tickets will not be available through the Nebraska, KHS or UNK athletic offices.

Doors to the match will open at 12:30 p.m. The Huskers will sign autographs following the match. &nbsp;

For the third consecutive year, the Huskers' spring match will be televised statewide on Nebraska Public Media and streamed online on B1G+. In addition to television and streaming coverage, the match will air on select Huskers Radio Network affiliates and the official Huskers App.

The trip back to Kearney continues Nebraska’s tradition of touring the state for spring volleyball matches. Since 2007, Nebraska has played spring matches in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Norfolk, Wayne, Ogallala, Kearney and McCook.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska volleyball's May 4 spring match against Denver has been moved from Kearney High School to UNK's Health and Sports Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.&nbsp;The match was originally scheduled to be played in the Kearney High School Gymnasium (approximate capacity 3,000), but in an effort to accommodate more fans will be relocated to the 5,000-seat home of the UNK Lopers. The Huskers played their 2017 spring match at Kearney High School but have not played a spring match at UNK's Health and Sports Center. Kearney Public Schools will remain the primary host, working in partnership with Nebraska Athletics, UNK and the Kearney Visitors Bureau.Tickets will still go on sale to the public Tuesday, April 2 at 10 a.m., at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. Tickets for the match are $12 for upper-bowl bleacher seats and $25 for lower-bowl chairback seats. All seats are general admission. Tickets must be purchased in person, with cash only, by someone at least 16 years old. A maximum of four tickets are available per person. Lost tickets will not be replaced. Tickets will not be available through the Nebraska, KHS or UNK athletic offices.Doors to the match will open at 12:30 p.m. The Huskers will sign autographs following the match. &nbsp;For the third consecutive year, the Huskers' spring match will be televised statewide on Nebraska Public Media and streamed online on B1G+. In addition to television and streaming coverage, the match will air on select Huskers Radio Network affiliates and the official Huskers App.The trip back to Kearney continues Nebraska’s tradition of touring the state for spring volleyball matches. Since 2007, Nebraska has played spring matches in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Norfolk, Wayne, Ogallala, Kearney and McCook.

Volleyball Spring match moved to UNK's Health and Sports Center

Video provided by NU Athletic Communications

Video provided by NU Athletic Communications<div><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PHmAyXAm-Qhb3tgnY.html" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Rhule Psr 031824 Cam 1" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Huskers talk offseason, preview Spring ball

Nebraska shortstop Billie Andrews was named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Week on Monday. Andrews was honored for the second time in three weeks and for the third time in her career.

Andrews joins her teammate Sydney Gray as the only two players to be named the Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season. Overall, Nebraska has won four of the seven Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season.

Andrews was recognized after helping Nebraska to a 5-1 record last week. In six games, Andrews hit .455 (10-for-22) with one double, four home runs, 10 runs scored and 14 RBIs. She slugged 1.045 on the week with a .520 on-base percentage. Andrews averaged 1.7 hits, 1.7 runs and 2.3 RBIs per game in the Huskers’ six games. She reached base safely in all six games to extend her streak to 23 consecutive games reaching base safely.

In a pair of games last Tuesday, Andrews went 3-for-7 with two home runs and five RBIs. She then produced multiple hits and multiple RBIs in each of the final three games of the week. Against North Dakota, Andrews was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. She then went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs against Creighton. In the final game of the weekend against Northern Colorado, Andrews was 3-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and four RBIs.

A Gretna native, Andrews’ four home runs last week increased her career total to 54. She is tied with Taylor Edwards for the most home runs in program history.

Northwestern’s Ashley Miller was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week while Michigan’s Jenissa Conway was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska shortstop Billie Andrews was named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Week on Monday. Andrews was honored for the second time in three weeks and for the third time in her career.Andrews joins her teammate Sydney Gray as the only two players to be named the Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season. Overall, Nebraska has won four of the seven Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season.Andrews was recognized after helping Nebraska to a 5-1 record last week. In six games, Andrews hit .455 (10-for-22) with one double, four home runs, 10 runs scored and 14 RBIs. She slugged 1.045 on the week with a .520 on-base percentage. Andrews averaged 1.7 hits, 1.7 runs and 2.3 RBIs per game in the Huskers’ six games. She reached base safely in all six games to extend her streak to 23 consecutive games reaching base safely.In a pair of games last Tuesday, Andrews went 3-for-7 with two home runs and five RBIs. She then produced multiple hits and multiple RBIs in each of the final three games of the week. Against North Dakota, Andrews was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. She then went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs against Creighton. In the final game of the weekend against Northern Colorado, Andrews was 3-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and four RBIs.A Gretna native, Andrews’ four home runs last week increased her career total to 54. She is tied with Taylor Edwards for the most home runs in program history.Northwestern’s Ashley Miller was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week while Michigan’s Jenissa Conway was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Billie Andrews named Big Ten Player of the Week

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Coach Matt Rhule spent the first 10 minutes of his pre-spring football practice news conference Monday giving a pep talk to a Nebraska fan base reeling from last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-alberts-nebraska-85885942186b80ae2812dc7a48dcae6c">surprise departure of athletic director Trev Alberts</a>.

Rhule has been at the school only 16 months, watching university president Ted Carter leave for the same position at Ohio State and Alberts take off for the AD job at Texas A&amp;M.

Rhule is entering his second year of an eight-year, $74 million contract after going 5-7 in his first season. He said he was surprised and disappointed the two men who brought him to Nebraska are gone so soon.

But Rhule delivered an upbeat monologue invoking Hall of Fame football coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne and sprinkling in names of top players on the men's and women's basketball teams headed to the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m here, and I’m all in, and Julie's all in," Rhule said, referring to his wife. “I loved Ted Carter and I loved Trev and I came because of them. But I came to be at the University of Nebraska, and I've loved the people I've met, and we're not going anywhere unless you guys kick us out.”

Nebraska will be hiring its fourth athletic director since 2013, and the search is being led by an interim president, Chris Kabourek, while executive associate AD for academics Dennis Leblanc leads the department in an interim role.

Alberts, an All-America football player for the Cornhuskers in the early 1990s and athletic director for less than three years, has not given specific reasons for leaving. The contract non-disparagement clause was activated when he resigned. Gov. Jim Pillen, in a statement last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-governor-jim-pillen-alberts-4dff2bd9ebb8e77ea23bd7ea390cfa3b">blamed university regents</a>&nbsp;for moving to slowly in its search for a new president. Alberts had previously expressed frustration the process wasn't moving more quickly.

Rhule said Alberts was “forthright” during their phone call last week and, as for Alberts' reasons, “that’s his story to tell.”

“I have no complaints about how he handled it, at least with me,” Rhule said.

The Cornhuskers have been off the national radar in football since their 1990s heyday, which has taken a toll on the psyche of a state where the program receives year-round attention. Rhule said fans should remember Nebraska has had a strong reputation across college athletics.

He noted the athletic department is self-supporting financially and has been a trailblazer in academic support, strength training and nutrition and more recently in the name, image and likeness space.

“We have to be unabashed in our desire to be the best,” Rhule said. "We cannot worry about optics. We cannot worry about what people say. The way you win in college athletics today is you invest. I can't think of a state that knows that better than this amazing state — whether it's all the amazing financial institutions, the people in Omaha, Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. All the agriculture across our state — you won't get a harvest unless you sow seed and water it.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Coach Matt Rhule spent the first 10 minutes of his pre-spring football practice news conference Monday giving a pep talk to a Nebraska fan base reeling from last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-alberts-nebraska-85885942186b80ae2812dc7a48dcae6c">surprise departure of athletic director Trev Alberts</a>.Rhule has been at the school only 16 months, watching university president Ted Carter leave for the same position at Ohio State and Alberts take off for the AD job at Texas A&amp;M.Rhule is entering his second year of an eight-year, $74 million contract after going 5-7 in his first season. He said he was surprised and disappointed the two men who brought him to Nebraska are gone so soon.But Rhule delivered an upbeat monologue invoking Hall of Fame football coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne and sprinkling in names of top players on the men's and women's basketball teams headed to the NCAA Tournament.“I’m here, and I’m all in, and Julie's all in," Rhule said, referring to his wife. “I loved Ted Carter and I loved Trev and I came because of them. But I came to be at the University of Nebraska, and I've loved the people I've met, and we're not going anywhere unless you guys kick us out.”Nebraska will be hiring its fourth athletic director since 2013, and the search is being led by an interim president, Chris Kabourek, while executive associate AD for academics Dennis Leblanc leads the department in an interim role.Alberts, an All-America football player for the Cornhuskers in the early 1990s and athletic director for less than three years, has not given specific reasons for leaving. The contract non-disparagement clause was activated when he resigned. Gov. Jim Pillen, in a statement last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-governor-jim-pillen-alberts-4dff2bd9ebb8e77ea23bd7ea390cfa3b">blamed university regents</a>&nbsp;for moving to slowly in its search for a new president. Alberts had previously expressed frustration the process wasn't moving more quickly.Rhule said Alberts was “forthright” during their phone call last week and, as for Alberts' reasons, “that’s his story to tell.”“I have no complaints about how he handled it, at least with me,” Rhule said.The Cornhuskers have been off the national radar in football since their 1990s heyday, which has taken a toll on the psyche of a state where the program receives year-round attention. Rhule said fans should remember Nebraska has had a strong reputation across college athletics.He noted the athletic department is self-supporting financially and has been a trailblazer in academic support, strength training and nutrition and more recently in the name, image and likeness space.“We have to be unabashed in our desire to be the best,” Rhule said. "We cannot worry about optics. We cannot worry about what people say. The way you win in college athletics today is you invest. I can't think of a state that knows that better than this amazing state — whether it's all the amazing financial institutions, the people in Omaha, Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. All the agriculture across our state — you won't get a harvest unless you sow seed and water it.

AD Alberts' move to A&M surprised Rhule. But coach says he's all in, sees bright future at Nebraska

Two North Platte High School powerlifters competed at the OneUp Shamrock Classic in Lincoln, NE on Saturday, March 17.&nbsp; Senior Abby Dimmitt and Seth Penn, a junior, both placed second in their respective weight divisions against lifters from across the region.&nbsp; This was a USA Powerlifting sanctioned event, and was not limited to just high school competitors.&nbsp; NPHS coach Arttie Parker said, "This is a tough meet, and for two of our athletes to walk away with second place is a big accomplishment."

At the event, Dimmitt hit qualifying totals for USAPL Teen Nationals, and will be flying to Baton Rouge, LA to compete on April 6.&nbsp; Parker said, "This was huge for Abby.&nbsp; She didn't have her best meet of the year, but she really grinded through the events with a strategic plan for qualifying, which has been a goal of hers this year.&nbsp; We'll get back to work and get her ready to go to Louisiana.&nbsp; I'm incredibly proud of her effort and have no doubts that she will represent herself and the NPHS powerlifting team well at Nationals."

As for Penn, Parker stated, "Seth continues to impress, always pushing himself and his totals. He actually had the numbers to compete at USAPL Nationals, as well, but he is looking toward a regional meet in Wisconsin that is coming up in early June, I believe.&nbsp; Nationals is definitely in the cards for next year for Seth."

The NPHS Powerlifting team will be in action on April 6 in Orchard, NE at an AAU event that regularly draws lifters from across the state.&nbsp; This event will bring the team's season to an end, although several lifters have indicated they will also compete at this year's Cornhusker State Games in July.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710777397254.png" alt="NPHS Powerlifting" />
 <figcaption>NPHS Powerlifting</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by NPHS Powerlifting&nbsp;Two North Platte High School powerlifters competed at the OneUp Shamrock Classic in Lincoln, NE on Saturday, March 17.&nbsp; Senior Abby Dimmitt and Seth Penn, a junior, both placed second in their respective weight divisions against lifters from across the region.&nbsp; This was a USA Powerlifting sanctioned event, and was not limited to just high school competitors.&nbsp; NPHS coach Arttie Parker said, "This is a tough meet, and for two of our athletes to walk away with second place is a big accomplishment."At the event, Dimmitt hit qualifying totals for USAPL Teen Nationals, and will be flying to Baton Rouge, LA to compete on April 6.&nbsp; Parker said, "This was huge for Abby.&nbsp; She didn't have her best meet of the year, but she really grinded through the events with a strategic plan for qualifying, which has been a goal of hers this year.&nbsp; We'll get back to work and get her ready to go to Louisiana.&nbsp; I'm incredibly proud of her effort and have no doubts that she will represent herself and the NPHS powerlifting team well at Nationals."As for Penn, Parker stated, "Seth continues to impress, always pushing himself and his totals. He actually had the numbers to compete at USAPL Nationals, as well, but he is looking toward a regional meet in Wisconsin that is coming up in early June, I believe.&nbsp; Nationals is definitely in the cards for next year for Seth."The NPHS Powerlifting team will be in action on April 6 in Orchard, NE at an AAU event that regularly draws lifters from across the state.&nbsp; This event will bring the team's season to an end, although several lifters have indicated they will also compete at this year's Cornhusker State Games in July.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two North Platte High School powerlifters place high at OneUp Shamrock Classic

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska executive athletic director for academics Dennis Leblanc has been named interim athletic director as the school begins its search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-alberts-nebraska-85885942186b80ae2812dc7a48dcae6c">successor to Trev Alberts</a>, interim president Chris Kabourek announced Thursday.

Leblanc has been on the athletic department staff since 1983 and has served in his current role since 2015.

“Dennis loves Nebraska, he cares deeply about the young women and men in our program, and he has a proven record of supporting their academic success,” Kabourek said. “Dennis and I are completely aligned on our vision for Nebraska to compete at the highest levels on the field, on the court and in the classroom. He will provide exactly the steady hand and trusted voice that we need during this interim period."

Kabourek said he is beginning a national search for a permanent successor to Alberts, who announced on Wednesday he had accepted the athletic director's job at Texas A&amp;M.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710509354024.jpeg" alt="Dennis Leblanc, Interim Director of Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Dennis Leblanc, Interim Director of Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Story from Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska executive athletic director for academics Dennis Leblanc has been named interim athletic director as the school begins its search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-alberts-nebraska-85885942186b80ae2812dc7a48dcae6c">successor to Trev Alberts</a>, interim president Chris Kabourek announced Thursday.Leblanc has been on the athletic department staff since 1983 and has served in his current role since 2015.“Dennis loves Nebraska, he cares deeply about the young women and men in our program, and he has a proven record of supporting their academic success,” Kabourek said. “Dennis and I are completely aligned on our vision for Nebraska to compete at the highest levels on the field, on the court and in the classroom. He will provide exactly the steady hand and trusted voice that we need during this interim period."Kabourek said he is beginning a national search for a permanent successor to Alberts, who announced on Wednesday he had accepted the athletic director's job at Texas A&amp;M.

Dennis Leblanc, longtime Nebraska staff member, named interim AD following Trev Alberts' departure

Story by Supernovas Communications

OMAHA, NE. —&nbsp;In a battle for first-place standing in the Pro Volleyball Federation, the&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;fell to the Atlanta Vibe in four sets (20-25, 25-15, 21-25, 12-25) Thursday night at the CHI Health Center in front of 8,114.

Nia Reed&nbsp;entered the match late in the first set and led the team with nine kills and a .421 hitting percentage. She added five digs and an ace to her effort. Team captain&nbsp;Brooke Nuneviller&nbsp;added nine kills of her own while collecting 12 digs, one block and one ace.

Middle blocker&nbsp;Tori Dixon&nbsp;swatted down six kills to go along with three blocks. Fellow middle&nbsp;Hristina Vuchkova&nbsp;continues to climb up the league leaderboard in blocks with five against the Vibe on Thursday. She also contributed five kills.

Sydney Hilley&nbsp;paced Omaha with 23 assists.&nbsp;Natalia Valentín-Anderson&nbsp;added five, and&nbsp;Kendall White&nbsp;recorded four. White led the Supernovas with 13 digs.

The Vibe (8-3) held the Supernovas (7-4) to a .129 hitting percentage while posting a .236 clip of their own. Anna Lazareva led the Vibe with 18 kills and recorded a .233 hitting percentage. Six Atlanta players eclipsed a .200 hitting percentage.&nbsp;Leah Edmond posted 12 kills for the Vibe, and Leketor Member-Meneh added 10. Edmond also led the Vibe in digs with 17.

Set 1:&nbsp;The Vibe jumped out to an early 6-3 lead behind setter Marlie Monserez’s second kill of the match. Vuchkova gave the Supernovas the 7-6 lead with a kill of her own. The teams traded points until the media timeout. A Shelly Fanning kill from the middle put the Vibe up by two, 16-14. Member-Meneh closed out a marathon of a rally for Atlanta and Lazareva recorded an ace to force a Supernovas timeout at 21-18. Dixon ended the run with a kill. An overturned call gave Atlanta set point, and Magdalena Jehlářová finished it out 25-20 for the Vibe. Atlanta tallied 16 kills, five of which belonged to Member-Meneh.

Set 2:&nbsp;The Supernovas took an early 3-1 lead off an electric Dixon block. Bethania de la Cruz extended that lead with a 4-0 service run to force an Atlanta timeout. Dixon went on a service run of her own, propelled by back-to-back Vibe errors to bring the Omaha lead to 11-3. The Vibe cut the lead to 17-13 with Jehlářová’s second block of the match. Omaha forced another Vibe timeout at 19-13 after a Vuchkova kill. Reed recorded an ace for the Supernovas to bring Omaha to set point, 24-14. Nuneviller recorded her sixth kill of the match and sealed the set at 25-15. Nuneviller paced the Supernovas with four kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Omaha held Atlanta to a -.036 hitting percentage for the set.

Set 3:&nbsp;Jehlářová recorded her third block of the match to get the Vibe out to an early 3-1 lead. A block and kill by Dixon gave the Supernovas a 6-4 advantage. Lazareva gave the Vibe the lead back after her ninth kill, 11-10. A Nuneviller tally put the Supernovas up 19-18 late in the set. Fanning went on a 3-0 service run to put the Vibe up 22-19. Reed tallied her seventh kill to stop the Vibe run. Member-Meneh recorded a block to bring Atlanta to set point, 24-20. Lazareva’s 14th kill gave the Vibe a 25-21 set three victory. Lazareva totaled nine of the Vibe’s 16 kills in the set. Reed added five of her own and logged a .500 hitting percentage.&nbsp;

Story by Supernovas CommunicationsOMAHA, NE. —&nbsp;In a battle for first-place standing in the Pro Volleyball Federation, the&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;fell to the Atlanta Vibe in four sets (20-25, 25-15, 21-25, 12-25) Thursday night at the CHI Health Center in front of 8,114.Nia Reed&nbsp;entered the match late in the first set and led the team with nine kills and a .421 hitting percentage. She added five digs and an ace to her effort. Team captain&nbsp;Brooke Nuneviller&nbsp;added nine kills of her own while collecting 12 digs, one block and one ace.Middle blocker&nbsp;Tori Dixon&nbsp;swatted down six kills to go along with three blocks. Fellow middle&nbsp;Hristina Vuchkova&nbsp;continues to climb up the league leaderboard in blocks with five against the Vibe on Thursday. She also contributed five kills.Sydney Hilley&nbsp;paced Omaha with 23 assists.&nbsp;Natalia Valentín-Anderson&nbsp;added five, and&nbsp;Kendall White&nbsp;recorded four. White led the Supernovas with 13 digs.The Vibe (8-3) held the Supernovas (7-4) to a .129 hitting percentage while posting a .236 clip of their own. Anna Lazareva led the Vibe with 18 kills and recorded a .233 hitting percentage. Six Atlanta players eclipsed a .200 hitting percentage.&nbsp;Leah Edmond posted 12 kills for the Vibe, and Leketor Member-Meneh added 10. Edmond also led the Vibe in digs with 17.Set 1:&nbsp;The Vibe jumped out to an early 6-3 lead behind setter Marlie Monserez’s second kill of the match. Vuchkova gave the Supernovas the 7-6 lead with a kill of her own. The teams traded points until the media timeout. A Shelly Fanning kill from the middle put the Vibe up by two, 16-14. Member-Meneh closed out a marathon of a rally for Atlanta and Lazareva recorded an ace to force a Supernovas timeout at 21-18. Dixon ended the run with a kill. An overturned call gave Atlanta set point, and Magdalena Jehlářová finished it out 25-20 for the Vibe. Atlanta tallied 16 kills, five of which belonged to Member-Meneh.Set 2:&nbsp;The Supernovas took an early 3-1 lead off an electric Dixon block. Bethania de la Cruz extended that lead with a 4-0 service run to force an Atlanta timeout. Dixon went on a service run of her own, propelled by back-to-back Vibe errors to bring the Omaha lead to 11-3. The Vibe cut the lead to 17-13 with Jehlářová’s second block of the match. Omaha forced another Vibe timeout at 19-13 after a Vuchkova kill. Reed recorded an ace for the Supernovas to bring Omaha to set point, 24-14. Nuneviller recorded her sixth kill of the match and sealed the set at 25-15. Nuneviller paced the Supernovas with four kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Omaha held Atlanta to a -.036 hitting percentage for the set.Set 3:&nbsp;Jehlářová recorded her third block of the match to get the Vibe out to an early 3-1 lead. A block and kill by Dixon gave the Supernovas a 6-4 advantage. Lazareva gave the Vibe the lead back after her ninth kill, 11-10. A Nuneviller tally put the Supernovas up 19-18 late in the set. Fanning went on a 3-0 service run to put the Vibe up 22-19. Reed tallied her seventh kill to stop the Vibe run. Member-Meneh recorded a block to bring Atlanta to set point, 24-20. Lazareva’s 14th kill gave the Vibe a 25-21 set three victory. Lazareva totaled nine of the Vibe’s 16 kills in the set. Reed added five of her own and logged a .500 hitting percentage.&nbsp;Set 4:&nbsp;Lazareva went on an early 5-0 service run to give Atlanta a 9-3 lead. Reed ended the run with her ninth kill of the match. Member-Meneh went on her own 5-0 service run, ended by a Paige Briggs kill to bring the score to 15-4, Vibe. Yossiana Pressley tallied two kills late in the set to get the Vibe to match point. An Edmond kill closed it out at 25-12.The Supernovas next face the Orlando Valkyries for the fourth and final time this season at the CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 16. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CST with television coverage on News Channel Nebraska.Fans can listen to all the action on the Supernovas Radio Network which is led by the flagship station,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001e772_TDK0XKW0w78f4k31-6bIQo1n6m4s0YQDd0OJjK9eewx1NGqJTikoK9Wwoo2ZdoAFd5B5z2Js2HVytfgptLKYplYQpPVkRWEWC9M2m1d8U2RCYeCBSmnGtL5O33xvOHGjFiLLpxCr-hje-1v6Q==&amp;c=50CQ_ig9EUQ45efPzsd6APVXuMt0TrV2uwt4gja2BpRM7IRDi_jr7A==&amp;ch=BbftDhRIeYBloqIJsby6EQom2IxxoXLVNSa9gJaOmvTZYCLcLCiWcg==" target="_blank">93.7 The Ticket</a>. Radio coverage is also on 95.7 The Boss (Omaha), KRVN (Lexington), KOLT (Scottsbluff) and KTIC (West Point).