Former Nebraska volleyball player Leyla Blackwell is back in the Cornhusker state after joining the Omaha Supernovas professional volleyball team in August.
The middle blocker began her collegiate career at Indiana, where she spent one season before transferring to San Diego in 2021. She played for the Toreros for three years before entering the transfer portal for a second time, ultimately choosing to spend her final season at Nebraska.
“Getting to be recruited by Nebraska was like a childhood dream come true,” Blackwell told Hurrdat Sports. “I think everyone growing up who plays volleyball knows that it is the most unique opportunity ever, and getting to know Coach (John) Cook through that process, and the whole staff, was just honestly so much fun. I had such a great time being recruited by them. I still look back on that decision and I’m just so grateful that I made that choice.”
In her lone season with the program, Blackwell played in 13 matches, averaging 2.35 kills per set on .417 hitting and 1.26 blocks per set, adding depth behind Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick.
Before joining the Huskers, Blackwell said that she spoke to her friend and former Husker setter Anni Evans about Nebraska’s fan base, and the reality more than lived up to the hype.
“I think it’s easy to imagine but when you actually experience it in person it’s unlike anything else,” Blackwell said. “I still get full-body chills thinking about the first time stepping in there. It’s just unlike any other college volleyball experience in the entire country. It’s probably the best volleyball experience in the world, honestly.”
Not only has Blackwell learned a lot on the court, she said she’s learned a lot off it as well.
“A big lesson for me that I want to take into my own life is just this standard of excellence, not only on the court, but how we operate as people off the court,” Blackwell said. “I think that’s something that is really important to the Nebraska culture, and it’s something I want to carry into every place that I go and everything that I do.”
Following her senior season with Nebraska, the San Diego Mojo drafted Blackwell with the 26th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 Major League Volleyball draft. She played one season in her hometown before becoming a free agent and signing with the Supernovas on Aug. 21, 2025.
“I’m so excited,” Blackwell said of returning to Nebraska. “Being back here in the last couple months, like going to the grocery store or anything, there are Husker fans everywhere, there are Supernova fans everywhere. So, it’s just been so cool to be back.”
The 6-foot-4 middle blocker is going into the 2026 season with one goal in mind while working to improve every day.
“I feel like I haven’t had this much growth as an individual for a long time now,” Blackwell said. “It’s hard at this level to feel like there’s big change going on, because it’s such a high level in the gym and we’re all making very small changes, but I think this staff is doing an exceptional job about seeing what our strengths are and what we can improve upon, and they communicate that so well to us. We’re just making really good progress in the gym, so it’s been really exhilarating honestly. I’m just excited to see, individually, how I can elevate my game, and as a group, how far we can go as a team.”
Last season, Blackwell played against the Supernovas in Omaha, receiving a standing ovation. Now, she will be facing her former team as a Supernova when the Mojo come to town on Thursday.
“For a player, it means the world to us to have that kind of support and love from the fan base,” Blackwell said. “As someone who wasn’t even a Supernova, to experience that just meant the world to me. So I’m really excited to be back and be on the right side of the court.”
The Supernovas open the 2026 season by welcoming the San Diego Mojo to CHI Health Center Omaha on Thursday. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT, available on YouTube, Nebraska Public Media and the Supernovas Radio Network.
