Mike Sautter caught up with Alexis Markowski, now one of the unquestioned leaders of the Nebraska women’s basketball team, as she prepares to lead the Huskers back to the NCAA tournament. She shared her thoughts on stepping into a leadership role, the team’s new faces, and her goals for the season.
Q: You’re one of the team’s leaders now. What has changed for you in that role?
Alexis Markowski: Yeah, it’s been really different this season. With all of our seniors graduating, I’ve focused a lot on my leadership this summer. Coach Williams talks a lot about having players step up and use their strengths. We did the CliftonStrengths test to identify what areas we’re strong in, and it’s been helpful in figuring out who else can help lead the team.
Q: Who has stepped up alongside you in this leadership role?
Alexis Markowski: Logan has been great, and all the seniors have really built strong connections with everyone. Having Allison Weidner back is also huge for us. She’s competitive, and we really match each other’s energy. We’ve been pushing each other, and I’m excited to have her back on the court.
Q: You mentioned Allison Weidner’s return. What will she bring to the team?
Alexis Markowski: She’s so competitive! We were pickleball partners the other weekend, and losing one game was tough for us. She’s worked really hard to get back to full health and is stronger than ever. It’s great to have her back, and she’s going to be a huge asset for us this season.
Q: What about the new faces on the team? How have they gelled with the group?
Alexis Markowski: They’ve been great additions! Birdie brings a lot of experience and is a really good shooter. Britt is fun to play with; she’s an amazing passer. Amaya is a great rebounder, which is huge in the Big Ten. And Petra, who just got here, is really long and a great finisher. Having more depth at center will definitely help.
Q: You’ve had individual success in your career. What’s next for you in terms of personal goals?
Alexis Markowski: I’m not too concerned about individual success. I’m focusing on being a great leader for the team and improving in areas I need to. I want to finish at a higher rate and have been working on my ball handling and passing. Our team’s goal is to be the best passing team in the country. I just want to play unselfish, competitive basketball and soak in every moment of my last season here.
Q: What kind of legacy do you hope to leave at Nebraska?
Alexis Markowski: I hope people remember me as a great teammate and someone who gave back to the community. I wouldn’t be here without people pouring into me, and I want to do the same for others. I also hope to be remembered as an unselfish leader who helped Nebraska get back to the standard of making the NCAA tournament, winning games, and competing for the Big Ten championship.
