Athlete of the week: Ryan Hunter LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Volleyball opened up their 2025 season Saturday with a dominating win over Kansas and a new star may have been born. In the team’s spring debut, they swept the Jayhawks 3-0, and even won the fourth exhibition set.

Freshman Ryan Hunter, who played in her first game as a Husker, shined bright Saturday night. She finished with 9 kills, the second most on the night, and completed with a .818 hitting %. “I feel like I worked really really hard to get to where I am,” said Hunter.

“I think I proved that on the court.” The 6’2 opposite hitter comes from Charlotte, NC and missed her senior season at high school due to injury. So, in her junior year, she was named the Charlotte Observer North Carolina player of the year, and also made first-team all-state selection. In her collegiate debut, the freshman was composed and says she was ready for the moment.

“I wasn’t really nervous at all. I was kind of just really excited to be on the court with my sisters,” said Hunter. “I took it all in, took in all the emotions.” Hunter will prepare for her second spring match this week, as the Huskers will head to Ord, NE to face off against South Dakota State next Saturday on May 3 at 2:00 p.m.