Nebraska Volleyball Signs Four Top-30 Prospects for 2027 Class

Nebraska volleyball signed four top-30 prospects on Wednesday to build its 2027 recruiting class, Hurrdat Sports reported.

The group features high-level talent across multiple positions, including a local standout from Firth, Nebraska. These four athletes plan to graduate early and enroll in January to begin their collegiate careers.

“It feels awesome,” Malorie Boesiger said at her Norris High School signing ceremony.

“Obviously, growing up in Nebraska, it’s every girl’s little dream to play for the Huskers, so it’s a pretty surreal feeling this morning … I think just the culture and the fan base is really amazing, and Dani has always been a coach that I wanted to play for, so when she came back, it just felt meant to be, and I feel very grateful,” Boesiger said.

Boesiger is a 5-foot-10 setter who follows in the footsteps of her sister, Maisie. During her time at Norris High School, she helped lead the team to a 108-7 combined record, including a state championship in 2025. Despite missing her entire sophomore season due to injury, she averaged a state-leading 12.0 assists per game as a senior.

Norris setter Malorie Boesiger shares why she wanted to play for Nebraska volleyball. pic.twitter.com/nPYXyhefkn

— Post by @HailVarsity on X

PrepDig.com ranks Boesiger 29th nationally in the 2027 class. She previously played club volleyball for Nebraska ONE alongside 2028 pledge Shayla Rautenberg.

Defensive depth arrives from Michigan and Arizona

The recruiting class leans heavily into defensive stability with the addition of two highly regarded specialists. Mallory Johnson, a libero from Byron Center, Michigan, joins the program after earning gold with the USA Volleyball national team at the U23 Pan American Cup.

Nebraska Volleyball Signs 4 for 2027 — Randy Silver

Johnson currently plays outside hitter for her high school, where she averages 2.3 kills and 3.8 digs per set. PrepDig ranks the new Husker back-row player 23rd nationally.

Pulelehua “Hua” Laikona, a 5-foot-8 libero from Arizona, rounds out the defensive signings. Laikona, ranked 28th nationally by PrepDig, previously played for Mesa High School before transferring to San Tan Charter School. She competed with the USA Volleyball U19 squad at the 2026 NORCECA Continental Championship, where she earned a gold medal.

“Hua is one of those liberos you are always drawn to watching,” coach Dani Busboom Kelly said.

“She is equally as good as a defender and as a serve receiver. She brings a joy and energy to the court that makes others around her better. Mallory and Hua will add to our depth defensively and continue Nebraska’s tradition of a being a powerhouse defensively,” Busboom Kelly said. Busboom Kelly

The incoming class also includes Shaye Witherspoon, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Wildwood, Missouri. Ranked 11th nationally by PrepDig, Witherspoon recently returned from knee surgery to help Lafayette High School win a state title. During her junior season, she recorded 94 blocks and 94 aces, totaling more than 1,400 career kills.

Four signees strengthen roster while Kendall Omoruyi flips commitment

While the four signees strengthen the upcoming roster, the class does not include Kendall Omoruyi. The middle blocker and opposite hitter from Sierra Canyon High School, who was ranked second nationally by PrepDig, originally committed to Nebraska in June 2025 but flipped her pledge to Texas A&M last week.

Prospect	Position	National Rank (PrepDig)	Hometown
Shaye Witherspoon	Outside Hitter	11	Wildwood, Mo.
Mallory Johnson	Libero	23	Byron Center, Mich.
Pulelehua Laikona	Libero	28	Gilbert, Ariz.
Malorie Boesiger	Setter	29	Firth, Neb.

“Shaye is a dynamic left side with a great combination of athleticism, size, and a dynamic arm,” Busboom Kelly said.

“She recently came off an injury and led her high school team to a state championship. Shaye knows how to win! We are thrilled to have her join the Husker family,” Busboom Kelly said.

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