Friday Five: Big stages, big moves and a 19-game win streak
Nebraska’s week included a historic volleyball showcase announcement, basketball continuity, a major gymnastics hire and another softball postseason win.
This week brought a little bit of everything for Nebraska Athletics. From a massive volleyball showcase to men’s basketball staff continuity to a high-profile women’s gymnastics hire and much, much more, there was plenty to recap.
Yes, it’s May, but Nebraska gave us plenty to work with. Let’s dive in.
Nebraska volleyball is headed to AT&T Stadium
The Huskers will take part in the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights showcase on Thursday, Aug. 27, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The event will feature Nebraska, Florida, Penn State and SMU in a primetime exhibition format with a $1 million prize pool — the largest ever awarded in women’s college sports.
The three-hour event will air live at 7 p.m. CT on a major national network, with broadcast details still to come. The format includes two semifinal matches followed by a championship final, all played in a best-of-three set structure designed for television.
“We are excited and honored to be part of this historic event that showcases the continued growth of women’s volleyball,” head coach Dani Busboom Kelly said in a statement. “This will be a great opportunity to face some talented teams in an iconic setting as we ramp up to the start of the season. It should be an awesome night and hopefully a lot of Husker fans will be able to experience it with us in Dallas.”
Nebraska has already helped prove what volleyball can look like on a massive stage. This is different from Volleyball Day in Nebraska, of course, but the larger point still holds: when volleyball is treated like a major event, people respond.
Fred Hoiberg keeps his staff together
Fred Hoiberg announced this week a multi-year contract extensions for assistant coaches Nate Loenser, Ernie Zeigler and Pat Monaghan, along with general manager Luca Virgilio. After a school-record 28 wins and Nebraska’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in program history, it was a logical move.
“The success our program had this year is really a testament to the efforts of our entire staff, and it is important to reward them for all of their work,” Hoiberg said. “The work they pour into our players is evident in their development in our program. Nate, Ernie and Luca have been vital over the last four years in helping us build a winning culture and enjoy sustained success that Nebraska basketball has not seen in a long time. Pat stepped in seamlessly and made a significant impact on our program with his work ethic and knowledge in recruiting. He is a rising star in the coaching field.”
Loenser, now associate head coach, has been key to Nebraska’s defensive identity. The Huskers ranked eighth nationally in defensive efficiency last season and led the Big Ten in scoring defense at 66.2 points per game.
Zeigler has helped Nebraska reach the postseason three straight years for the first time in more than 25 years. Monaghan stepped in last April and made an immediate impact. Virgilio, the program’s general manager, continues to oversee roster construction and player acquisition at a time when that job has never mattered more.
Nebraska is not just rewarding a good season. It is trying to protect the structure behind it.
Jordan Gamboa comes home
Nicole Jones made a significant addition to her first Nebraska women’s gymnastics staff this week. Jordan (Bowers) Gamboa is coming home.
Gamboa, a Lincoln native and Lincoln Southwest High School graduate, joins the Huskers after a decorated career at Oklahoma. She was the 2025 NCAA All-Around Champion, helped the Sooners win three NCAA team titles, won the 2025 Honda Sports Award for women’s gymnastics and was named the 2025 SEC Gymnast of the Year.
“Jordan is a go-getter who elevates everyone around her,” Jones said. “Her athletic accolades speak for themselves, but what truly sets her apart is the standard she’s lived and the mindset she brings every single day. She understands what it takes to win, and more importantly, how to sustain it.” I believe she will be an incredible bridge for our student-athletes - someone they can relate to, learn from, and grow alongside - while also serving as a powerful connection point for recruits who want to come to Lincoln and be part of what we are building. It’s incredibly special to bring her back home.”
Gamboa finished her Oklahoma career as a 28-time All-American with 12 perfect 10.0 scores. That gives Nebraska instant credibility from someone who knows both Lincoln and championship-level gymnastics.
“Husker Nation, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to be a part of this incredible staff and University,” Gamboa said in a statement. “Being born and raised in Lincoln, my roots run deep, and I am eager to give back to this program and its potential. Nebraska has consistently produced elite gymnasts, and we want to create a culture that keeps them coming back and give these athletes space to thrive in their sport and every aspect of their lives! I am excited for what’s to come! GBR!”
Nebraska men’s hoops adds Boise State in Sioux Falls
Nebraska also has its first official 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule announcement.
The Huskers will return to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to face Boise State on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Sanford Pentagon. Tipoff time, television information and ticket details will be announced later.
Boise State gives Nebraska a quality early non-conference opponent, and Sioux Falls has become a familiar neutral-site stop for the Huskers.
“We’re excited to return to Sioux Falls this year and appreciate the work Sanford Sports does to make this a first-class experience,” Hoiberg said. “We faced Boise State in the College Basketball Crown semifinals two years ago and have a great deal of respect for Head Coach Leon Rice and his program. They’ve posted five straight 20-win seasons and should be one of the top programs in the new Pac-12 Conference. This matchup gives us a quality non-conference opponent early in the season, and I know the Sanford Pentagon will be full of Husker fans, creating a tremendous atmosphere.”
Nebraska returns two of its top three scorers from last season’s Sweet 16 team, including first-team All-Big Ten selection Pryce Sandfort and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Braden Frager.
Nebraska softball keeps rolling
The No. 2 Huskers beat Michigan 4-2 on Thursday in College Park, Maryland, to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Nebraska improved to 44-6 and extended its winning streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the country.
Michigan scored first, but Nebraska answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. Hannah Camenzind, Ava Kuszak and Jesse Farrell each drove in a run, and Emmerson Cope added a solo home run in the fourth.
Jordy Frahm handled the rest. She threw a complete game, allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. Samantha Bland and Cope both went 2-for-3, with Bland adding a double and Cope providing the home run.
Nebraska has now reached the semifinals in each of the last five Big Ten Tournaments. This year, though, feels different. The Huskers are the No. 1 seed, they are ranked No. 2 nationally and they are not sneaking up on anyone.
They will face No. 4 seed Indiana on Friday at 4 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
So much for a quiet week.