Seven freshmen joined the Nebraska volleyball program this offseason and will look to make their impact early in Lincoln. Let’s learn more about the Husker rookies.
Keri Leimbach (1) runs out to the court with Laney Choboy (6) before the start of the Nebraska Alumni Match on Aug. 16. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 1 Keri Leimbach
>> Libero/DS, 5’4″, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Lutheran)
Q: How long has this been a dream for you to be a Cornhusker?
A: I think ever since I was little. It’s still surreal. Being a hometown girl, I’m just really excited for the opportunity.
I would go to quite a lot of [Husker] games. One of my dad’s friends had season tickets and they couldn’t go to a lot of games, so me and my dad would always go.
I was just like their biggest fan. It was always just so cool.
Q: Would that little girl who grew up going to games ever believe she’d be playing for Nebraska?
A: Definitely not. It’s crazy because I’m only like 5-1. It’s just crazy how I get to be a part of the team.
Q: What can Husker fans expect from you?
A: I’m really loud. I love being all over the place. I love defense. I’m going to give everything I’ve got and be really positive.
Campbell Flynn (4) sets the ball during the Red/White Scrimmage on Aug. 9. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 4 Campbell Flynn
>> Setter, 6’3″, Oakland, Mich. (Mercy)
Q: How did you get recruited by Nebraska?
A: [Nebraska] was obviously trying to recruit Harper Murray [at Legacy Club Volleyball]. One of my coaches kind of told them, ‘Hey, this girl could be really good.’ So [Nebraska] just followed me since seventh, eighth grade.
I went to their first camp in eighth grade and I really loved it. I just grew up watching them. So that’s where it started.
Q: Have you gotten to connect with current setter Bergen Reilly?
A: I got to play on [USA U21 Women’s Volleyball team] with [Reilly]. She’s just obviously a great player but she’s also a better person and I’m so excited to see and learn from her.
Q: What’s unique about your abilities as a setter?
A: I think the thing I have over some setters is that I like to attack a lot. I can also hit with my left hand. I try to get my hitters in the best situation as possible, and I also am trying to work on my defensive blocking a little more.
Kenna Cogill (8) celebrates a point with Teraya Sigler (11) during the Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 8 Kenna Cogill
>> Middle Blocker, 6’4″, Gilbert, Ariz. (Perry)
* Q&A with Jessica Coody for Huskers Radio Network .
Q: What was your recruitment process like once you reopened it?
A: I was committed to Oregon the first time around. With the coaching changes and everything, I decommitted. I wanted to reopen [my recruiting] and see what opportunities there are, so then I reached out to Nebraska and was like, ‘Hey, is there an opening or anything?’
Then Jaylen [Reyes] called and said, ‘Let’s get to see everything.’ And everything just ended up working out and I’m just super excited and grateful to be here.
Q: How did that feel [knowing there was a spot for you at Nebraska]?
A: It was amazing. I remember talking to my parents and we were just like ‘Wow.’ It felt so surreal. I was so excited.
Q: How exciting is it [to play in front of Nebraska fans] as a young player?
A: It’s crazy. The thought of walking in on the first game day and just seeing all the fans … I’ve watched film, I’ve seen how the fans act. It’s so amazing. Everyone is so supportive.
Virginia Adriano warms up ahead of the Nebraska alumni match on Aug. 16. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 9 Virginia Adriano
>> Opposite Hitter, 6’5″, Turin, Italy
* From Nebraska’s Alumni Match press conference.
Q: What did you know about Nebraska volleyball before you came here?
A: I didn’t know a lot at first … I heard about the Memorial Stadium match, and I didn’t know about Nebraska, how big this was, the fans and everything. And when I realized it was [Nebraska] that played that game, it was kind of crazy.
Q: How has that [move to the U.S.] been so far, the last couple months for you to get used to everything, kind of the new way of life here?
A: It’s definitely getting easier every day. And it was hard at first … There are a lot of differences, and I wasn’t expecting it to be like those big differences, honestly, also in the in the game of volleyball. There were a lot of things that I had to basically relearn, but I really like this culture … I don’t know if it’s just because Lincoln is a very, very kind city, but everybody is very, very welcoming, very kind.
Q: What’s your favorite thing you’ve tried so far [in America]?
A: Well, I enjoy Chick-fil-A. Yeah, it was good. I like ranch. I learned that you guys put it everywhere.
Teraya Sigler (11) spikes the ball against Andi Jackson (15) and Bergen Reilly (2) during the Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 11 Teraya Sigler
>> Outside Hitter, 6’3″, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon)
Q: When did Nebraska first reach out to you?
A: I’ve been committed for almost two years. June 15th [after my sophomore year], they were my first Zoom call. I remember I went to [Nebraska] camp my freshman year.
Since [June 15th], it’s been constant communication.
Q: What initially stood out to you about Nebraska?
A: When I was 10 years old, they were the first match I watched on television. The crowd, you could feel it through the screen of seeing just how much people love watching volleyball and how much they celebrate the sport.
I feel like that was really important to me because volleyball is growing. We’re breaking records, we’re starting to get as much notice as some of the male sports. I always admired how much they celebrate volleyball in Nebraska.
That’s something I truly wanted in a program, was being celebrated. Truly, there’s no place like Nebraska. There’s no place like the culture and history of Nebraska.
Once I got that text message on June 15th, it was hard not to say yes.
Q: Have you envisioned what it’ll be like walking out to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for your first match?
A: I have not, but I remember even my first time walking into Bob as a freshman in high school kind of wide eyed. [I had] chills. I think I even teared up a little bit. You can feel the legacy going through that gym.
I can’t even imagine the feelings I’m going to feel on the first game day. I’m just in a heart of gratefulness that is all happening and the things that I’ve dreamed about and worked for are finally unfolding.
I’m excited to go in. I’m excited to get better. I’m excited to even struggle, struggle to get better and grow and give myself that space of, ‘I deserve to be here.’ I can only grow from here. That’s what I’m really excited about.
Ryan Hunter (18) spikes the ball against Manaia Ogbechie (14) and Virginia Adriano (9) during the Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 14 Manaia Ogbechie
>> Middle Blocker, 6’3″, Santa Rosa Valley, Calif. (Oaks Christian)
Q: How did you choose Nebraska?
A: So originally, I was committed to [Northwestern], and there was a coaching change. I feel like when you commit to a school you commit not only to that school but the coaching staff, the culture, the team.
I was really looking for something different. When the coaching change happened, a variety of schools reached out but only the culture of a few programs really stood out to me.
And when Nebraska contacted me, it was an offer I really couldn’t turn down. So I went on my visit, saw the campus, met the girls and went to a scrimmage and really started to understand the very, very rich legacy [at Nebraska].
And understanding my major as well, I’m a double major in marketing and management. The rich legacy of sports and sports management seemed perfect for my career and then also volleyball.
Q: What was your first impression of Nebraska fans?
A: My first impression was after going on a visit. My teammate came up to me and said [fans] were talking about a mystery girl at a scrimmage, it was a closed scrimmage too. There weren’t supposed to be cameras or anything and apparently there’s chatter already.
And also, immediately after I posted my commitment, that was crazy. My Instagram was blowing up.
Q: What do fans need to know about your game?
A: I’m definitely a very aggressive player on the floor. That means pushing, shoving, screaming, all of that. Definitely look out for that and don’t be surprised.
I feel like as a person I don’t come off like that. So people that meet me before they see me play are completely surprised afterward. I hope to bring the spirit of competition and continue on the rich legacy that Nebraska has.
Ryan Hunter (18) ready for the ball to be set for her against the Kansas Jayhawks during Nebraska’s exhibition on April 26. Photo by John S. Peterson.
No. 18 Ryan Hunter
>> Opposite Hitter, 6’2″ Charlotte, N.C. (Cox Mill)
Q: When did Nebraska get on your radar?
A: When I realized Nebraska was somewhere I wanted to be was during sophomore year when Jaylen [Reyes] started coming to our practices and started showing more interest.
I met him first at [the USA National Team Development Program]. We were kind of clicking there and I just loved him so much. I knew that having those vibes on the team would definitely bring me a lot of joy but also with the resources that [Nebraska] has, I’d still be getting something great out of it.
Q: What was your first impression of Nebraska volleyball fans?
A: I was like, ‘Wow, this is incredible.’ There are so many people that love that sport in the state.
Something that I was looking for in a program was that I wanted it to feel like home, and Nebraska definitely brought that to the table for me.
When I saw the fans and when I was at the stadium game, it kind of all clicked that this is exactly where I want to be and exactly where I need to be. I was very excited from that point on.
Q: What do fans need to know about your game on the court?
A: I feel like I’m a very clutch player. I like to take control in moments that I’m needed. I’m very competitive. I love competition. I feel like this sounds very cliche, but I feel like I’m a dog on the court. When I’m locked in, I’m ready to play and I’m on fire. I love to just have fun with my friends and be intense. That’s something that everyone can expect.
