Rebekah Allick draws ovation in first return to Nebraska as LOVB Madison pro

OMAHA— LOVB Madison coach Matt Fuerbringer can sum up Rebekah Allick's progress as a professional volleyball player in three words.

"She's killing it," he said.

The ex-Husker made her return Friday night in Madison's five-set loss to LOVB Nebraska at Baxter Arena. Many of the estimated 3,800 fans apparently were there to see Allick, who received a loud ovation when she was introduced before the match.

She finished with three kills while seeing limited action, though one came at the end of the first set to give Madison a 1-0 edge in the match.

The Waverly graduate was last seen by local fans after the Huskers' season-ending loss to eventual national champion Texas A&M in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. The setback hit Allick hard as she fought back tears at the postgame press conference.

Allick signed with Madison shortly after that match to begin her pro career, which she said has been going well.

"I'm adjusting to the tempo," she said. "I feel like I'm being pushed by the staff to be creative and get out of my comfort zone every day in practice."

Allick, who joined former Husker Callie Schwarzenbach on the Madison roster, ended her NU career as a second-team AVCA All-American. She was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, and her .450 hitting percentage ranks as the No. 4 single-season mark in school history.

On hand to watch her play Friday night were NU volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly and associate head coach Jaylen Reyes.

"Seeing her wearing (Madison) blue is definitely a different look," Busboom Kelly said. "She's doing great, and it's pretty cool to see her transition to being a professional."

The coach added she had no doubt Allick would succeed at the next level.

"I knew that if she got the opportunity, that she'd be great," Busboom Kelly said.

Former Husker and LOVB Nebraska outside hitter Jordan Larson said the reception Allick received from the fans said something about what's come to be known as "The Volleyball State."

"I think it shows how special volleyball is here," she said. "The fans stay dedicated to their players for a long time, and so it was a big welcome back for her and well deserved."

Larson said she'll be following Allick's career in the future.

"She put in a lot of great years at Nebraska, so I'm curious to see how she absorbs the pro life," she said. "You can tell she's eager, so that's what you want to see."

Allick said the speed of the professional game has been her biggest challenge.

"Everything is so much faster," she said. "I'm OK with being a learner again, but it's definitely been hard."

The 6-foot-4 middle blocker added that she was grateful for the warm reception she received from the fans.

"It was amazing," she said. "It felt like a homecoming and reminded me how much I miss this place and the people."

Madison will return to play Nebraska in an LOVB rematch Feb. 22 at Baxter Arena.