After three exits from the Husker volleyball team, Nebraska was in the market for a new addition from elsewhere. Although the team is not dependent on the transfer portal, they have not been shy about dipping their hands to land a big name. Case in point: outside hitter Merritt Beeson, who transferred from Florida to Nebraska last season and made an immediate impact.
Now they’ve found another influential veteran, and a decorated one at that.
Former Minnesota volleyball player Taylor Landwehr announced her intention to transfer to Nebraska on her Instagram account on Monday. evening.
Landfair has been a standout in the Big Ten since she entered college, arriving at Minnesota as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2020. The 6-foot-5 junior was named first-team All-Big Ten three times as an outside hitter and was voted He was voted Big Ten Player of the Year in 2022. She was also a first-team selection All Americans AVCA nomination for the 2022 season as well.
Landfair will bring with her two years of eligibility to Lincoln after spending the previous four years in Minneapolis. She gained an additional year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was granted a sixth year of eligibility due to medical difficulties. Landwehr suffered an abdominal injury in the 2021 season, which limited him to playing only nine games.
Ironically, the Huskers never had much need at the outside hitter position. Harper Murray returns once again to anchor Nebraska’s left side after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors as well as earning All-American status. Rising seniors Lindsay Krause and Allie Battenhorst are expected to return next year as well, playing key roles throughout the season. The Huskers will also welcome redshirt freshman Skyler Pierce next season.
The move adds a lot of explosiveness to the pin positions, but Nebraska is far from feeling confident about depth at other positions. Right now, there are no obvious backups at the opposite hitter spots and middle blockers. Beason is the only running back on the roster and the Huskers have two quarterbacks on the roster in junior Bekka Allick and sophomore Andi Jackson.
At the very least, Nebraska has players with experience at the outfield positions. Krause played opposite for her first two seasons before switching overseas this year and has thrived in that position. Pierce also played some opposites while on the national circuit.
It’s hard to imagine the Huskers going away after this move. There are still clear depth needs at the opposite flank and midfield. However, Nebraska added a big piece with this move and has a slew of viable options at the outside hitter position.
Sports@dailynebraskan.com