Dani Busboom Kelly’s dream of winning a national title in her first season as the head coach of Nebraska Volleyball came to an abrupt end at the NCAA Regional Final on Sunday, thanks to a resilient Texas A&M Aggies team. The match was tightly contested, ultimately ending in a 3-2 victory for the Aggies in the decisive fifth set, which marked their first-ever trip to the Final Four.
Kelly shared a brief analysis of the game following the defeat, highlighting the strengths of the opposition and further explaining why the defeat to lower-ranked Texas A&M can’t be considered an upset.
Nebraska Volleyball Coach Highlights Texas Aggies’ Strengths That Denied Her Team a Final Four Spot
The Huskers entered the match riding a 33-0 winning streak and were heavy favorites. However, they stumbled in the final set, losing 13-15 after the match was tied 2-2.
Texas A&M showcased impressive team performance, particularly through Ifenna Cos-Okpalla’s strong serving, which put Nebraska on the defensive, despite standout performances from Harper Murray, who recorded a season-high 25 kills, Bergen Reilly with 58 assists, and Olivia Mauch with 13 digs.
Following the game, Kelly highlighted the strengths of Texas A&M, explaining how they contributed to her team’s defeat against No. 6 Texas A&M.
The Nebraska head coach said, “They’re a great serving team, and when you can have a great server that can go on a run, that can be a difference maker. Those middles, they are physical, and they read really well, and I just thought they did a great job.”
Among Texas A&M’s middle blockers, senior Morgan Perkins was particularly impressive, achieving nine blocks, five kills, and three digs. Sophomore outside hitter Kyndal Stowers was also a significant contributor, recording 25 kills and 16 digs.
Texas A&M has had a great start to the 2025 season, defeating several top-tier teams, including the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA Regional semifinals and the Texas Longhorns in the regular season. The team’s next opponent in the National Championships will be Pittsburgh in the final four of the tournament.
Dani Busboom Kelly Reflects on the Team’s 2025 Season Following Defeat at the NCAA Regional Final
Although their season ended at the NCAA Regional Final, Kelly’s team has numerous positives to take away from the 2025 season. Beyond their dominant 33-game winning streak, the season saw the development of a firm belief among the players and between the coaches, fostering a liberating style of volleyball.
Reflecting on the positives from the 2025 season, Kelly said in her recent press conference, “I just think how this team really trusted each other and the staff, and I know it wasn’t a completely new team, but I was new, and I felt like everyone was just super open-minded. We went through the year, and we played with a ton of joy, had a lot of fun, but I think we maxed out like we what he had today.”
Further in the conversation, the Nebraska head coach added that even though her side couldn’t make it to the Final Four and eventually win the national title, she is immensely proud of the season her team has had this year.
