Bergen Reilly and Campbell Flynn return to guide the Huskers' offense after raising the attack to record levels in 2025
Over the next five weeks, Huskers Illustrated will examine the position groups — setter, middle blocker, opposite, libero/defensive specialist, and outside hitter — as Nebraska prepares for the 2026 season.
After two years as the top setter and two All-American awards, it seemed that Bergen Reilly was nearing the peak in her ability to run the Nebraska offense.
However, under the tutelage of first-year NU coach Dani Busboom Kelly and a retooled system, Reilly shattered several Husker records on her way to first-team All-American honors and was named the AVCA Setter of the Year.
Reilly guided Nebraska to a .351 hitting percentage, which was a 67-point improvement over the 2025 season. That mark also broke the school record by 20 points and was also the best in college volleyball by 24 points
With a lot of the same attackers back for another run, can Reilly lead the Huskers to another stellar offensive performance as she seeks to become the first four-time Big Ten Setter of the Year?
Nebraska's Bergen Reilly tips the ball during a match against Penn State in 2024. Reilly will try to guide the Huskers to a fourth straight Big Ten title this season while looking for her first national championship. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectWho is back: Bergen Reilly, 6-foot-1, senior; Campbell Flynn, 6-3, sophomore.
Who is gone: None
Who is new: None
Under Busboom Kelly, Reilly helped the Huskers’ reach a new level of efficiency. The five main attackers all finished with a hitting percentage higher than .287, which is better than the team average of .284 from 2024. Both starting middle blockers (Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick) hit above .450.
Reilly played at a faster tempo and also created better hitting windows for her attackers. She averaged a career low 10.47 assists per set, but few offenses in the country looked better than with her at the helm. She can run a fast offense, play well out of system and is not afraid to attack on the second touch.
For as much credit as Reilly gets for elevating Nebraska’s offense, she is just as important a part of the Huskers defense. Last season, she led all Big Ten setters with 2.7 digs per set and tied for first with .67 blocks per set.
Reilly will have a few special moments for her senior season. After playing in her hometown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the spring, she will return to her old stomping grounds in the fall.
The Huskers play at South Dakota State in Brookings, which is an hour north of Sioux Falls, in September. While it won’t be as friendly a crowd as was at the sold-out Sanford Pentagon, Reilly should have lots of friends and family in the stands.
Both Reilly and Flynn will try to avenge a disappointing finish to the 2025 season. Reilly was dealing with an illness during the Huskers’ final two matches and struggled in NU’s five-set loss in the regional finals to Texas A&M, the eventual national champion.
Campbell Flynn was also unavailable in the match after breaking her pinky finger in practice. She has since recovered and was a full participant during the spring season.
Flynn appeared in 28 sets over 18 matches during her freshman campaign. She looked comfortable on offense and showed some great flashes, but still has room for improvement on defense, especially in the back row.
Entering this season, some speculated that Flynn might redshirt this season in order to preserve three years of eligibility for her to step into the starter spot. However, with the passage of a rule change granting student-athletes five seasons of eligibility over five calendar years, redshirting has become obsolete. (It should be noted that many details of the rule change have to be worked out and more legal challenges are likely.)
With redshirting no longer on the table, Flynn should replicate her role from last year of stepping in for Reilly occasionally and also jumping in as a serving specialist. Even though Nebraska ran a two-setter offense at times during the spring, there is no question about the pecking order at setter.
One of the questions this year will be whether Reilly exercises her option to return for a fifth season. However, she’s deflected the question so far and will likely do so until later in the regular season or until after the NCAA Tournament. Reilly will likely be focused on one missing piece of her illustrious resume — a national championship.
Up next: Middle blocker
