Cue the confetti, fire up the hype machine, and clear some space in the trophy cabinet—Nebraska Volleyball just added a thunderous new weapon to its already loaded arsenal. On Friday, Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly officially announced the signing of Virginia Adriano, a 6-foot-5 opposite hitter from Turin, Italy, whose international résumé reads like a volleyball fairy tale—and she’s bringing her elite game to Lincoln.
And no, this isn’t your average recruiting headline. This is a seismic power shift.
From the Heart of Italy to the Huskers’ Front Line
Adriano’s arrival signals something more than just depth. It’s a declaration. With three years of NCAA eligibility and a portfolio stacked with accolades from Europe’s fiercest arenas, Adriano isn’t coming to Nebraska to warm the bench—she’s here to dominate.
“Virginia is a player with size, skill, and a wealth of international experience,” Busboom Kelly said with barely contained excitement. “She’s not only a force at the net with her attack and block but has a powerful serve that will pressure even the best defenses in the country. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Big Red family.”
Adriano most recently suited up for Volley Bergamo in Italy’s elite Serie A1, a league that’s widely considered one of the toughest pro volleyball circuits on the planet. There, she didn’t just hold her own—she delivered. In a March 30 showdown against Megabox, Adriano erupted for 21 kills, three blocks, and an ace, closing out her season in dominating fashion.
In the 2023–24 season with Volley Hermaea Olbia in Serie A2, she was even more lethal—racking up a jaw-dropping 395 kills while hitting a sizzling .384, along with 27 aces and 24 blocks. In short: she’s a walking stat sheet nightmare for opponents.
A Champion on the Global Stage
Adriano isn’t just a club sensation—she’s an international champion. She’s already decorated with a gold medal from the 2024 U23 European Championships, a 2022 U19 European title, and a silver at the 2023 U21 World Championships. In volleyball terms, she’s practically royalty.
At just 21, Adriano steps into a Husker program with sky-high expectations and national championship dreams. And with All-American Merritt Beason departing for the Pro Volleyball Federation, Adriano’s timing couldn’t be more perfect.
A Volcanic Three-Way Position Battle Brews
With Adriano now in the mix, Nebraska’s depth at opposite hitter becomes a thrilling three-way race. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Allie Sczech, a two-time All-Big 12 bruiser from Baylor, and freshman phenom Ryan Hunter, Adriano will be fighting for starting minutes in one of the most anticipated positional showdowns of the year.
And just to put things in perspective: Adriano now ties for the tallest player on the team, matching Taylor Landfair at 6-5. That’s skyscraper status on a squad already stacked with towering talent like Rebekah Allick, Sczech (both 6-4), and 6-3 front-liners Andi Jackson, Teraya Sigler, and Campbell Flynn.
Championship Dreams Begin at Home
With most key starters returning—Bergen Reilly setting the tempo, Harper Murray slamming from the outside, and the dominant middle duo of Allick and Jackson—Nebraska’s lineup is nearly locked in. The only questions lie at libero… and now, at opposite.
That search begins when Nebraska kicks off its season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in front of a roaring home crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena, with back-to-back heavyweight bouts against Pittsburgh (Aug. 22) and Stanford (Aug. 24).
So grab your red gear, polish those lungs for cheering, and get ready—because with Virginia Adriano joining the mix, Nebraska Volleyball just got dangerously taller, stronger, and a whole lot scarier.
