LOVB Nebraska’s Lexi Rodriguez
A libero from Sterling, Illinois, Lexi Rodriguez joined League One Volleyball (LOVB) Nebraska in December 2024 after wrapping up a stellar four-year career at the University of Nebraska. In her second year as a pro, Rodriguez has emerged as one of the top liberos in the league, currently ranking Top 5 in key stats such as digs, pass efficiency and good pass percentage.
As a Husker, she was named a four-time All-American, two-time Academic All-American, 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year Finalist, 2021 AVCA National Freshman of the Year, 2024 Big Ten Libero of the Year, two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Big Ten First Team member, along with guiding the Huskers to two NCAA Championship Finals matches (2021 and 2023). In her final match as a Husker, she passed former LOVB Nebraska teammate Justine Wong-Orantes to become Nebraska Volleyball’s all-time leader in digs.
Rodriguez has also competed for the United States National Team, playing for the Senior Team at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League and 2025 World Championships, this past season. She has also competed for the U.S. Senior Team at the 2024 Women’s NORCECA Final Six Volleyball Tournament and multiple tournaments for the U.S. U18 and U21 teams. She competed for Sports Performance and Fusion during her youth club career.
In this Q&A, she talks about the sport and shares advice for aspiring athletes.
How were you introduced to volleyball, and what made you fall in love with the sport?
I was introduced to volleyball by my big sister. She’s four years older than me, and I was always in the gym while she was practicing and playing. She was also my biggest role model, even through college. She’s really the reason I got into volleyball, fell in love with it and had these dreams and goals, because I wanted to do exactly what she did.
What’s one favorite drill or tip you’d share for a specific skill?
For liberos, especially when it comes to passing, I would say it’s important to expand your range in serve receive with your angles as much as possible, specifically outside of your body. As the game gets faster and players get stronger and more powerful, the more you can do outside of your midline, the more powerful of a skill that becomes.
What message would you share with your younger self?
I would tell my younger self a lot of things, but I would definitely say to be a little easier on yourself and not put so much pressure on yourself. It’s a long journey, and you don’t have to spend all of it stressed out and worried about what’s going to happen.
What’s one piece of advice or encouragement from a coach that has stayed with you?
One thing that has always stuck with me goes back to my freshman year, when one of my assistant coaches, Tyler Hildebrand, really believed in me during a rough patch. Some people can say they believe in you, and other people can really show it in a way that you can feel. His belief in me, and his words of encouragement, were really powerful and honestly helped me throughout my whole career.
How do you bounce back after a tough practice or match?
For me, bouncing back after a tough practice or match is about finding balance and not dwelling on what happened for too long. I’ll give myself one rant to someone, or maybe 20 minutes when I get home to think about what happened and why. Then I try to let it go and do something outside of volleyball that makes me happy. You don’t want to completely forget about it, but you also don’t want to carry it with you too long.
What’s one skill you’re currently working on?
There are two skills I’m currently working on. One is out-of-system setting and becoming more comfortable using my hands. The other is being more vocal.
What’s your favorite memory from youth volleyball?
My favorite memory from youth volleyball was going to Orlando every summer for AAU Championships. You got to stay with your team in a big house, and we didn’t have phones, so it was just you and your teammates. We were obviously there to play volleyball, but we also got to hang out every night for a week, and it was so much fun being there with your best friends.
What advice would you give young athletes competing in high-pressure moments?
If I could give one piece of advice to young athletes in high-pressure moments, I would say to believe in yourself, have no regrets and play every point like it’s your last. Leave it all out on the court, because one team has to win. If you go for it no matter the result, you can be proud of yourself.
Visit lovb.com/teams/lovb-nebraska-volleyball to learn more about LOVB Nebraska Volleyball.
