LINCOLN -- Often after a coaching change, teams will shuffle assistants, lose players to the transfer portal, maybe take awhile to adjust.
The Nebraska volleyball program seems to be handling it just fine.
The Huskers' first year under Dani Busboom Kelly has began 14-0 and with the No. 1 ranking. Most of the staff and roster remained, as well, when Busboom Kelly took over after John Cook retired.
Still, success wasn't a given. The Huskers could have lost their season opener to Pittsburgh, and they played two top-10 teams.
But Busboom Kelly put Nebraska at No. 1 in her preseason ballot, and said she isn't surprised that the Huskers haven't lost a match.
In fact, Nebraska has been ranked No. 1 all seven weeks, its longest stretch at the top since six straight at the end of the 2023 season. The Huskers didn't spend any time last year at No. 1.
It could have been different, though. Look at Florida. After the Gators' off season coaching change, their best player transferred. Now at 7-6, Florida dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time since 1991.
A coach never knows for sure what they have until they start playing, either, but Busboom Kelly said Nebraska's offense carried over from preseason practice and has stayed at a high level.
Busboom Kelly credited her players, and the Huskers are difficult to play and prepare for, she said.
"I think that's helped fuel a lot of it, and helped us stay consistent," Busboom Kelly said. "We want to play great against our opponents, but more importantly, I think we want to play great for each other."
Nebraska can also get kills consistently from each position: outside hitter, right-side hitter, middle blocker and setter.
"We're not relying on just a couple of people -- it's literally everybody," Busboom Kelly said.
That depth is on display at middle blocker, where the Huskers might have two All-Americans in senior Rebekah Allick and junior Andi Jackson.
Manaia Ogbechie has also played well. In limited action, the freshman from Santa Rosa, California, has 29 kills with a .500 hitting percentage and 19 blocks.
"I think Manaia would probably start at 99% of the programs out there," Busboom Kelly said.
Nebraska is one of three teams ranked in the top 10 on offense and defense—the others are Wisconsin and Tennessee.
NU's defense is No. 1 with an opponent hitting percentage of .102. The Husker offense is third in Division I with a .327 hitting percentage. The Huskers haven't hit better than .300 in a season since 2007 (.327).
Nebraska's two weekend matches begin by hosting Washington (7-7, 2-2 Big Ten) on Friday.
The 8 p.m. match is on BTN. Then the Huskers have a quick turnaround for a road match at No. 12 Purdue on Sunday.