No. 1 Nebraska volleyball features two middle blockers on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List in Andi Jackson (a preseason pick and 2024 first-team All-American) and Rebekah Allick (a midseason addition who is second on the team in points).
The Huskers also have a freshman that is outproducing them both on a per-play basis. Saturday’s win at Rutgers was the latest opportunity for Manaia Ogbechie to prove what she’s capable of.
“I think Manaia would probably start at 99% of the programs out there,” Coach Dani Busboom Kelly said. “She’s really good, so getting her more playing time is, I think, important for our team’s growth.”
The 6-foot-3 middle from Santa Rosa Valley, California, has started 11 of the 48 sets Nebraska has played in this season, and in those opportunities, she’s averaged 2.54 kills and 1.55 blocks per set while hitting .542.
College volleyball is a big step up from what she’s experienced at the club and high school levels, but she’s displayed a firm grasp on what it takes to be successful early, hitting .500 or better in each of the four matches in which she’s seen extended playing time.
“I feel like you have to be very disciplined,” Ogbechie said. “You can’t just power through anything, because everyone is very talented. Everything has to be very strategic, calculated and focused.”
Ogbechie has gotten run hitting off both Bergen Reilly and Campbell Flynn and gave kudos to both of them for her offensive success so far.
“It’s honestly just so easy to play off of Bergen and Campbell too,” Ogbechie said. “Their level is just amazing. They’re tall, they’re able to dish it out fast, efficient. They’re incredibly intelligent as well, so they can find you one-on-one or one-on-none opportunities … I think they’re adapting to me because they’re good setters, and I feel like that’s just what they do, and all of us have very different hitting styles. It’s very impressive how they can change up their styles.”
Busboom Kelly has spoken highly of the Ogbechie’s blocking ability, and fans got to see that part of her game pop in a big way against the Scarlet Knights as she finished with eight stuffs (two solo, six assisted) in the sweep.
“I really just have to credit everything back to practice,” Ogbechie said. “I feel like nothing’s harder than getting blocks in our own gym, so going out and facing other competitors, it’s a little bit easier.”
"She likes to jam it directly in my face." 🤣
Manaia Ogbechie says Harper Murray is the most difficult player to block at practice.#GBR | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/vuDxkWjQVs
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) October 7, 2025
This past weekend was Ogbechie’s first Big Ten road trip, and she was blown away by the amount of red she saw in both University Park and New Brunswick.
“I was amazed by the amount of Nebraska support,” Ogbechie said. “Right now, I’m thinking specifically of Rutgers’ gym, but also Penn State, it was so loud. There’s so much support from everybody, and honestly, it was amazing how much everyone cares about the sport and about our team.”
Rutgers was Ogbechie’s sixth appearance this season and her first start. While she’s shown she could be ready to help Nebraska win right away, she’s also cognizant of the talent and accomplishments of the veterans ahead of her. Ogbechie said in early September that her role as a freshman would be to learn from Allick and Jackson and make them better in practice while waiting to hear her number called.
“I feel like [it’s] just always being ready, continuing to learn the scout, even if you might not play,” Ogbechie said. “It’s really important to at least be prepared, and really, the goal is for the team to win. It’s not about me, and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s not about me. It’s about this team. I’ll do whatever it takes to continue to get another win.”
While Nebraska has arguably the best starting middle blockers in the country, with Busboom Kelly’s desire to develop the team’s depth, Ogbechie appears ready to answer the call whenever she hears her number.
