Former Nebraska volleyball player Rebekah Allick didn’t know what kind of reception she would get when she made her appearance at Dayspring Bank on Saturday.

She knew well the adulation Husker volleyball players received from fans across the state is unmatched. But on the other hand, it was a seemingly random Saturday morning in late August. Surely, the people in North Platte had better things to do than to come to a meet and greet with her.

Yet, they still showed up. Bringing volleyballs and other momentos to sign. They even dressed in Husker red like it was gameday.

“Everybody was so nice,” Allick said. “It was a longer line than I thought it would be. I was nervous. I was wondering, ‘Is anybody gonna come?’ but the reception was incredibly kind.”

“With Husker volleyball, the fans they adore us, I’m never sure why. We just play our sport. They’ve always made us feel like superheroes. Across the state, if you played for the program you get celebrated.”

A new season is about to start for the Huskers and for the first time in five years, Allick isn’t with them preparing for another campaign as she graduated last year. But she’s aware that everyone’s time comes and goes.

“It’s definitely weird,” she said. “I’ve been getting a lot of messages and interactions from people saying they miss me out there and it’s not the same. That’s very kind but every chapter comes to an end. I’m grateful for the next wave, the next generation of Husker volleyball.”

In 2022, Allick joined the team after starring for the Waverly Vikings. The timing was good as the Huskers lost their trio of middle blockers — Lauren Stivrins, Kayla Caffey and Callie Schwarzenbach, from their NCAA runner-up team the year before and Allick stepped right into the lineup.

But just because Allick started as a freshman doesn’t mean she would continue to start. Not when the Huskers bring in the top-rated players in the country every year.

“The opportunity I had as a freshman, it did feel like my position was handed to me,” she said. “But my coaches remind me that I earned it and I worked to keep it. It’s a tough, very competitive environment and you’re playing because you earned it.”

Yet, Allick remained a starter for her whole career. She had the size and ability to compete at a high level but what set her apart was her intangibles. Her passion for the game could not only be felt by fans at the Devaney Center but it jumped out through the TV screen. She was someone who made her teammates better because they loved playing with her so much.

“It had a lot to do with skill but a lot of it had to do with personality, being vocal as a freshman helped me out a lot,” Allick said. “I think what kept me starting all four years is that I never shied away from the big moments. Someone had to step up and if I gave my best effort, good things would happen.”

For the first three years of Allick’s Husker career, she played for the legendary John Cook. Allick said playing for Cook kept her on -edge because he was always pushing her to be better, even when she believed it wasn’t possible. But she now realizes Cook brought out the best in her.

“Intense,” Allick said when asked to describe Cook. “He’s a funny man. That wasn’t something I couldn’t appreciate until after he left and I graduated that I played for someone who kept it straight forward, which I appreciate a lot. It was fun.”

Last year, Allick played for Dani Busboom Kelly, who took over for Cook after he retired.

“That was also fun,” she said. “She’s definitely different from John but sometimes different can be good.”

After graduation, Allick is still playing volleyball and the front of her jersey she wears even says, “Nebraska.” But instead the colors are seafoam green and navy blue, instead of scarlet and cream, as she plays for LOVB Nebraska. LOVB is a professional league that started in 2025 that has six teams. LOVB Nebraska splits their home games between Omaha and Grand Island.

“The pros is a little more transactional but I think LOVB is putting a lot into their athletes,” Allick said. “Playing for the University of Nebraska and now playing for the Nebraska team, I think they’re not only catering to what the fans want but what the athlete wants. It’s nice knowing my needs are being met.”

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