This is a list of Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball honors and awards. The program, established in 1975, is among the most decorated in collegiate volleyball.
Four Nebraska players have been named AVCA National Player of the Year and the team has produced a nation-leading 107 AVCA All-America selections. Sarah Pavan and Lexi Rodriguez won national awards as the country's best female athlete across all sports.
National awards Player of the year Beginning in 2025, the AVCA added position-specific, National Player of the Year Awards, for the following categories: Setter, Libero, Middle Blocker, Opposite Hitter, and Outside Hitter. The AVCA continues to award an overall National Player of the Year. AVCA National Player of the Year: Allison Weston (1995), Greichaly Cepero (2000), Christina Houghtelling (2005), Sarah Pavan (2006) AVCA National Setter of the Year: Bergen Reilly (2025) AVCA National Middle of the Year: Andi Jackson (2025) Honda Volleyball Award: Karen Dahlgren (1986), Allison Weston (1995), Greichaly Cepero (2000), Sarah Pavan (2006) Morgan Award: Allison Weston (1996)
Freshman of the year AVCA: Sarah Pavan (2004), Lexi Rodriguez (2021) Volleyball Magazine: Madi Kubik (2019)
Coach of the year AVCA: Terry Pettit (1986, 1994), John Cook (2000, 2005, 2023) Volleyball Magazine: John Cook (2008, 2018)
Other national awards NCAA Division I tournament most outstanding player: Greichaly Cepero (2000), Sarah Pavan (2006), Mikaela Foecke (2015, 2017), Kelly Hunter (2017) Sullivan Award: Lexi Rodriguez (2024) Broderick Cup: Sarah Pavan (2006–07) Today's Top VI/VIII Award: Virginia Stahr (1990), Janet Kruse (1992), Nancy Metcalf (2002), Sarah Pavan (2008) NCAA Woman of the Year: Billie Winsett (1996)
Conference awards Athlete of the year Five Nebraska players have been named conference female athlete of the year, across all sports. Big Eight: Annie Adamczak (1986–87), Virginia Stahr (1989–90) Big 12: Greichaly Cepero (2000–01), Sarah Pavan (2006–07, 2007–08)
Player of the year Big Eight: Lori Endicott (1987, 1988), Virginia Stahr (1989), Val Novak (1990), Stephanie Thater (1991, 1992), Nikki Stricker (1993), Allison Weston (1994, 1995) Big 12: Lisa Reitsma (1996), Fiona Nepo (1998), Nancy Metcalf (1999, 2001), Greichaly Cepero (2000, 2002), Amber Holmquist (2002), Laura Pilakowski (2002), Sarah Pavan (2005, 2006, 2007), Jordan Larson (2008) Big Ten: Kelsey Robinson (2013), Bergen Reilly (2025)
Freshman of the year Big 12: Angie Oxley (1997), Greichaly Cepero (1999), Sarah Pavan (2004), Jordan Larson (2005), Hannah Werth (2009) Big Ten: Madi Kubik (2019), Harper Murray (2023)
Newcomer of the year Big Eight: Allison Weston (1992), Jen McFadden (1993), Stacie Maser (1995) Big 12: Megan Korver (1996), Katie Jahnke (1997), Rachel Holloway (2006), Sydney Anderson (2008), Lauren Cook (2010)
Defensive player of the year The Defensive POY award was renamed to "Libero of the Year" by the Big Ten in 2024. However, the award still retains the same functionality as the original "Defensive Player of the Year" award. Big Eight: Christy Johnson (1992), Stephanie Clerc (1993), Maria Hedbeck (1995) Big 12: Jennifer Saleaumua (2004, 2005), Jordan Larson (2006, 2008), Christina Houghtelling (2007), Hannah Werth (2010) Big Ten: Justine Wong-Orantes (2015, 2016), Lexi Rodriguez (2021, 2023, 2024)
Setter of the year Big Ten: Bergen Reilly (2023, 2024, 2025)
Coach of the year Big Eight: Terry Pettit (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995) Big 12: Terry Pettit (1996, 1998), John Cook (2001, 2005, 2008, 2010) Big Ten: John Cook (2016, 2017, 2023), Dani Busboom Kelly (2025)
All-Americans Nebraska has had 55 players account for an NCAA-leading 111 AVCA All-America selections, including fifty-six first-team, forty-two second-team, and thirteen third-team All-America awards. Terri Kanouse, the first Cornhusker to be named a first-team All-American, was selected by the AIAW.
First-team
Second-team
Third-team
Retired jerseys 2 Lori Endicott S 1985–1988 2003 Stephanie Thater MB 1989–1992 2010 7 Nancy Metcalf OPP 1997–2001 2011 9 Sarah Pavan 2004–2007 2018 10 Jordan Larson OH 2005–2008 2017 11 Cathy Noth S 1981–1984 2003 13 Karen Dahlgren MB 1983–1986 17 Janet Kruse OH 1988–1991 2004 18 Allison Weston MB 1992–1995 2003
Notes
References