The transfer portal bit the Huskers in more ways than one on Saturday as McGee, a sophomore. mendelsohn I will be looking for a new home. Mendelsohn is leaving the Husker volleyball and basketball teams.
At this time, it is unclear whether she will play both basketball and volleyball at her next destination. Head coaches Amy Williams and John Cook had to walk a tightrope trying to balance Mendelsohn’s schedule as the two seasons overlap.
Mendelsohn’s eligibility is also an interesting avenue to watch. She has two years of eligibility remaining for volleyball, and she has three years of eligibility remaining for basketball. Mendelsohn did not feature on the Huskers women’s basketball team this season before entering the transfer portal.
Mendelsohn, a 6-foot-5 native of Ogden, Utah, primarily played in a backup role for Husker volleyball. She competed in 42 sets during her freshman year and 26 sets during her sophomore year. In her Husker career, she averaged 1.09 kills per set, 0.57 blocks per set, and hit at a .225 clip.
Mendelsohn started several games this season, including in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In that game, Mendelsohn took advantage of big chances and showed his strength. She had six kills, four blocks and a .333 batting average against LIU.
On the basketball court, Mendelsohn played in 22 games in 2022-23, averaging 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, and totaling 14 blocked shots. She finished her freshman season on a high, recording four points, six rebounds, one block, and one steal in just nine minutes against Northwestern in late February. She finished the year with two points, three rebounds, and two steals in the WNIT Super 16 against Kansas University.
Mendelson was also nominated for the 2023 Nebraska Volleyball Sportsmanship Player of the Year.
So what does this mean?
In the case of Husker women’s basketball, perhaps not so much. Nebraska has started the season 9-3 without Mendelsohn and is 1-0 in Big Ten play. Mendelsohn was the tallest on the team compared to junior center Alexis Murkowski and senior forward Annika Stewart, who stood at 6 feet 3 inches.
Murkowski has shined this year with seven double-doubles in 12 games. Freshman forward Natalie Potts and senior guard Jazz Shelley also contributed greatly to the Husker’s success as starters. Freshman guard Logan Nissley, junior forward Kendall Corey and sophomore guard Karin Hake are key pieces on the bench.
However, things are a little different for Nebraska volleyball. Mendelsohn was one of three middle blockers on the team, along with Andy Jackson and Becca Alick. Jackson is his rising sophomore and Aric is his rising junior.
Using only two middle blockers is risky. The Huskers have a clear need at this position right now, but the team is in a scholarship crunch. It was the basketball team that received Mendelson’s scholarship, not the volleyball team.
With Hayden Kubik and Caroline Jurevicius already departing, scholarship spots are open for freshmen libero Olivia Mauf and outside hitter Skylar Pierce. Nebraska currently has all 12 positions filled and has no more scholarships to give. Rising junior Maisie Borsiger is the only player on the team not on scholarship due to a bye.
Perhaps a new middle blocker will arrive via the transfer portal. The Huskers’ 2025 class currently includes hitter Ryan Hunter from Charlotte, North Carolina. Teraya Sigler, a batter from Scottsdale, Arizona. Campbell Flynn, a setter from Farmington Hills, Michigan. and Kelly Limeback of Lincoln Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. But none of them are middle blockers.
Nebraska volleyball is in a difficult situation. Next year, the Huskers will have four players as defensive specialists, two players as setters, two players as blockers and five players as hitters with their current roster structure. It seems likely that a third blocker will be added, but the scholarship situation will ultimately be the deciding factor.
sports@dailynebraskan.com