Bergen Reilly, one of Nebraska Volleyball’s standout athletes, recently opened up about the illness she battled during the NCAA Regionals. While it was known she was dealing with health issues at the time, Reilly is now speaking in detail about it for the first time, months after Nebraska’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss in the Regional Finals.
Before that defeat, the Cornhuskers had completed a flawless 30-0 regular season and advanced through the tournament by defeating LIU and Kansas State in the opening rounds, followed by Kansas in the Regional Semifinals.
Bergen Reilly Reveals She Had to Take IV Ahead of Nebraska Volleyball’s Game Against Texas A&M
Reilly revealed that she was already sick heading into the elimination match and required an IV before Nebraska faced the Aggies in the Regional Finals.
Speaking during a recent appearance at the Omaha Supernovas’ game against the San Diego Mojo, Reilly candidly reflected on the experience, saying, “Pretty sick. I had to get an IV before the game and woke up with a fever. Couldn’t really keep any food down. I lost a lot of weight, but I knew that I was going to do everything I could for my team.”
“It was unfortunate timing, but that happens sometimes in that sport. My team just rallied around me. That’s just what made that team so special was nobody skipped a beat.”
Reilly also noted that Nebraska was already shorthanded, with freshman setter Campbell Flynn ruled out for the season. Senior Maisie Boesiger, a libero with prior experience as a setter, was prepared to step in if needed, a situation Reilly described as “so cool” despite the team facing unfavorable circumstances.
Reilly on How Special it is to See Merritt Beason and Leyla Blackwell Perform at the Pro Level
While attending the Supernovas’ match against the San Diego Mojo, Reilly shared her excitement about watching former Nebraska teammates Beason and Blackwell compete at the professional level. The two Nebraska alumni are currently representing the Omaha Supernovas in the MLV, a Nebraska-based professional volleyball team.
In the same interview, she spoke about what it means to see her former teammates play at the highest level, stating, “It’s awesome. She and Leyla [Blackwell] are such great teammates and really close friends of mine. It’s been good to have them back and get to see them more often, and I’m just so happy for them that they’re having so much fun.”
Additionally, the 20-year-old was impressed by the large crowd at the MLV match. The five-set contest saw the Supernovas defeat the Mojo 21-25, 28-26, 25-17, 20-25, and 21-19.
