There is no doubt that the Nebraska volleyball team is exceptional, and its captains are truly remarkable. Nebraska volleyball started in 1967 and entered the tournament in 1971. With the passage of time, Nebraska started producing good players and captains. Behind any successful captain is a coach who motivates, trains, and teaches how to face the various challenges that come his way and how to manage the team.
In this blog post, you will read about the captains of the Nebraska volleyball team, what the responsibilities of captains are, how they manage the players and the team, and what strategies they use to win over their opponents.
Nebraska volleyball Captains
What is a team captain in volleyball?
In simple words, we say the volleyball captain manages the entire team and behaves with them. This means that the team captain manages his team both off the court and on the court, their behavior, their weaknesses, how to take advantage of their opponents, and how to win the match. Suppose an out-hitter gets injured during a match in any tournament. The captain’s job now is to explain to the new outside hitter how to attack, how to do it, and what strategy to use against the opponent’s strategies.
Best Nebraska volleyball Captains
In this section, you will read about the good captains who accompanied Nebraska volleyball, what their positions were, what their strategies were, how they helped the team win the NCCA Championship, and how they won the tournament.
1. Jordan Larson (2005–2008)
Jordan Larson served as captain of the Husker volleyball team from 2005 to 2008, and she is currently working as a full-time assistant coach on the team. As captain, he helped the team finish in five NCA tournaments. She began her volleyball career in 2003, and in the same year, she also received the General Star Female High School Athlete of the Year award. In 2005, she joined the Hukser volleyball team as a freshman and helped them finish the national runners-up with a good performance in 34 matches.
In 2006, he became one of the top-performing volleyball players in the United States, and her average total per game was 4.13 and 3.5 digs. In 2007, she won the junior volleyball title, and in 2008, she won the senior volleyball title.
2. Christina Houghtelling (2004–2007)
Christina Houghtelling served as Captain for the Huskers from 2004 to 2007. She started her volleyball career at Cambridge High School and won the first Athlete-of-the-Year Award in 2003 . In 2003, Christina joined the Nebrasker volleyball team as a Freshman and her average was 1.67 kills per match. In 2004 promoted to Sophomore and earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors. In 2005, she was a Junior and in 2006 played as a Senior. In 2007, she got an award Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award and Two-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12.
3. Kayla Banwarth (2007–2010)
Kayla Banwarth played as a libero for the Husker volleyball team from 2007 to 2010 and is now known for her contributions as both a player and coach in collegiate volleyball. As a senior captain in 2010, she led the team with an average of 4.81 digs per set and helped Nebraska claim its 12th Big 12 title. That same year, she earned multiple honors including MVP at the BYU Nike Invitational and selections to three All-Tournament teams. She was also named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and received Academic All-Big 12 Second-Team honors.
Banwarth began her volleyball journey in high school, where she helped Wahlert Catholic win three state championships and was named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006. In her time at Nebraska, she played in four NCAA Tournaments, set the school’s all-time digs record with 1,706, and was a three-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week between 2009 and 2010. In 2009, she made history by setting a school record with 32 digs in a three-set match.
4. Kelsey Robinson (2013)
Kelsey Robinson joined the Husker volleyball team in 2013 after transferring from Tennessee, where she was already a decorated athlete. In her senior season at Nebraska, she started all 33 matches and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. She earned First-Team All-American honors from the AVCA and led the team with 530 kills and 396 digs. That year, she also received four Big Ten Player of the Week awards and was nominated for the prestigious Honda Sports Award. She posted 19 double-doubles and helped Nebraska reach the NCAA Regional Final with a match-high 21 kills against Texas.
Before joining Nebraska, Robinson had already been named the 2011 SEC Player of the Year and was a two-time All-American. She led Tennessee in kills, digs, and points across multiple seasons and was one of the top-ranked high school players in the nation. At St. Francis High School, she served as a two-year captain and graduated as the all-time kills leader. Her versatile skills and leadership made her one of the few players in the nation to lead her team in kills, digs, and aces in a single season.
5. Mikaela Foecke (2015–2018)
Mikaela Foecke was a cornerstone of Nebraska Volleyball’s national championship teams, earning NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player honors in both 2015 and 2017. A four-time AVCA All-American, Foecke finished her career ranked third on Nebraska’s all-time kills chart with 1,684 and helped the Huskers to four straight NCAA Final Fours. As a six-rotation senior, she led Nebraska in kills, aces and posted 17 double-doubles, capping her career with 27 kills in the 2018 NCAA title match.
6. Nicklin Hames (2018–2022)
Nicklin Hames cemented her legacy as one of the most accomplished setters in Nebraska history, graduating as the Huskers’ all-time leader in career assists (5,086) and NCAA Tournament assists (760). A four-time AVCA All-American and two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, Hames started every match of her career and guided Nebraska to four NCAA Final Fours and a national runner-up finish in 2021. Known for her court vision, consistency, and leadership, she tallied 86 career double-doubles and ranks seventh in program history in career digs. Hames earned AVCA Second-Team All-America honors in 2020 and was named NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player in 2021.
7. Lexi Rodriguez (2022–Present)
Lexi Rodriguez became one of the most accomplished liberos in Nebraska history, finishing her career as the program’s all-time digs leader with 1,897. A four-time AVCA All-American and three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Rodriguez was the first libero to earn AVCA Region Player of the Year honors and helped lead the Huskers to four NCAA Regional Finals. She was a finalist for both the Honda Sport Award and AVCA National Player of the Year in 2024 and won the AAU Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete.
Conclusion
The legacy of Nebraska Volleyball is not only built on championships and records but also on the remarkable leaders who have worn the captain’s badge with pride and purpose. From the early days of the program to the powerhouse it is today, captains like Jordan Larson, Mikaela Foecke, and Lexi Rodriguez have embodied the spirit of what it means to lead—with resilience, selflessness, and excellence both on and off the court.
These captains didn’t just manage plays—they nurtured team chemistry, navigated adversity, and inspired future generations of athletes through their actions. Their journeys remind us that great leadership in sports goes beyond statistics; it’s about showing up for your teammates, embracing pressure with poise, and lifting others in pursuit of a shared goal.
Faqs
1. What makes Nebraska Volleyball so special?
Nebraska Volleyball isn’t just a team—it’s a legacy. Since its start in 1967 and its first tournament appearance in 1971, Nebraska has grown into one of the most respected programs in the nation. With strong coaching, passionate players, and dedicated captains, they’ve built a powerhouse that fans admire year after year.
2. Who are the captains of the Nebraska Volleyball team?
Over the years, Nebraska has had some truly inspiring captains. These leaders play a key role in guiding the team both on and off the court. From legends like Jordan Larson and Mikaela Foecke, to current leader Lexi Rodriguez, these athletes have shaped Nebraska’s winning culture.
3. What does a volleyball captain actually do?
A captain isn’t just someone who leads the cheer before the match. They manage team dynamics, keep morale high, help guide strategies during games, and support teammates—especially when challenges arise. If a player gets injured mid-game, it’s the captain who steps in to support and direct replacements. Think of them as the coach’s right hand and the team’s heartbeat.
4. Who are some of the best captains Nebraska Volleyball has had?
There’s a long list of standout leaders! A few fan favorites include:
- Jordan Larson (2005–2008) – Known for her consistency and leadership, now a full-time assistant coach.
- Christina Houghtelling (2004–2007) – Helped the team remain a dominant force.
- Kayla Banwarth (2007–2010) – Later became a professional libero and coach.
- Kelsey Robinson (2013) – A short but impactful leadership stint.
- Mikaela Foecke (2015–2018) – Led the team to multiple national titles.
- Nicklin Hames (2018–2022) – A fan favorite for her playmaking.
- Lexi Rodriguez (2022–Present) – A young star leading with calm confidence.
5. How do Nebraska captains help win championships?
Captains work closely with the coaching staff to fine-tune strategies and keep the team focused. They observe opponents’ weaknesses, support player development, and bring everyone together during high-pressure moments. Many of Nebraska’s NCAA Championship wins have been made possible through strong, steady leadership from their captains.
6. Is Jordan Larson still involved with Nebraska Volleyball?
Yes! Jordan Larson, one of Nebraska’s most iconic captains, is now back as a full-time assistant coach. After an outstanding playing career, she’s come full circle, helping train the next generation of Husker stars.
7. How can I follow Nebraska Volleyball and support the captains?
You can watch their matches during the NCAA season, follow the Huskers on social media, or visit the official Husker Volleyball website for news and player updates. Supporting the team means supporting the leadership, the hustle, and the heart behind every win.
