Huskers Sign Four for 2027

The Nebraska volleyball program and Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly on Wednesday announced the addition of four talented players who will join the Huskers in 2027.

The Huskers secured the signatures of four of the top prospects in the nation. They are setter Malorie Boesiger (Firth, Neb.), defensive specialist/libero Mallory Johnson (Byron Center, Mich.), defensive specialist/libero Pulelehua Laikona (Gilbert, Ariz.) and outside hitter Shaye Witherspoon (Wildwood, Mo.)

All four plan to enroll at Nebraska in January.

2027 Nebraska Volleyball Signing Class

Malorie Boesiger, 5-10, Setter, Firth, Neb. (Norris)

• Holds eight career records at Norris High School

• Named Prep Volleyball, MaxPreps and VBALL Recruiter First-Team All-American
• Tabbed Prep Volleyball Third-Team All-American Setter
• Named AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
• Was an AVCA All-Region Team selection
• Named to AVCA and MaxPreps Player of the Year Watch List
• Selected MaxPreps Nebraska Player of the Year
• Named to MaxPreps All-Junior Team
• Ranked among MaxPreps’ Top 10 Senior Setters
• Named NEPreps Class B Player of the Year and Class B Setter of the Year
• Member of Omaha World-Herald Super Six
• Earned first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and first-team Super-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star
• Earned first-team Class B all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star
• Named to Nebraska State Tournament All-Class and Class B All-Tournament Teams
• Earned Eastern Midlands Conference All-Conference First Team honors
• Member of USA GJNC 17 Open All-Tournament Team
• Named Arizona Tournament of Champions MVP
• Selected to 2025 Triple Crown All-Tournament Team
• Earned 2025 AAU All-Tournament Team and AAU All-American honors
• Selected to train with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program (NTDP)
• Tabbed an Under Armour NEXT athlete
• Named to Out of System Volleyball’s Elite 1% Setters Combine Team
• Ranked the No. 29 overall prospect by PrepDig

Coach Dani Busboom Kelly:

“Malorie has played a lot of high-level volleyball in her prep career and it has allowed her to boast a volleyball IQ beyond her years.  Not only is Malorie a great setter, she is a great person who understands what it takes to be a Husker.  Malorie is the perfect fit who will add depth and stability to the setter position.”

 Mallory Johnson, 5-5, Defensive Specialist/ Libero, Byron Center, Mich. (Byron Center)

• Finalist for the 2026 Miss Michigan Volleyball Award
• Named to the U.S. U21 National Team in 2026
• Earned first-team all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior
• Named first-team all-conference all four years
• Was an AVCA All-Region Team selection
• Named an AAU All-American in 2023, 2025 and 2026
• Selected as an Under Armour NEXT All-American
• Ranked the No. 23 overall prospect by PrepDig

Coach Dani Busboom Kelly:

“Mallory has grown up in the gym and she certainly plays like it.  She has been an outside hitter in high school and a Libero throughout her club career.  Her athleticism allows her to make some electric plays on defense and her steady demeanor helps her as a consistent serve receiver. “

Pulelehua Laikona, 5-8, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Gilbert, Ariz. (San Tan Charter School)

• Selected to the 2026 Under Armour All-America Game
• Named to the 2026 U.S. Women’s U19 National Team and won gold at 2026 NORCECA Women’s U19 Continental Championship 
• Named to the 2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team
• Finished second at USA GJNC in Open Division four straight years
• Ranked the No. 28 overall prospect by PrepDig

Coach Dani Busboom Kelly: 

“Hua is one of those liberos you are always drawn to watching.  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.”

Shaye Witherspoon, 6-3, Outside Hitter, Wildwood, Mo. (Lafayette)

• Named 2025 Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year
• Tabbed AVCA, MaxPreps and Prep Volleyball First Team All-American as a junior
• Named AVCA and MaxPreps Third Team All-American as a sophomore
• Was a Prep Volleyball Player of the Year finalist as a sophomore
• Named to AVCA Player of the Year Watch List as a junior
• Was an AVCA All-Region Team selection as a sophomore and junior
• Named All-Metro Player of the Year as a junior and was a two-time first-team All-Metro pick
• Earned Class 5 all-state honors as a sophomore and junior
• Earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors as a sophomore and junior, after second-team honors as a freshman
• Earned academic all-state honors
• Has trained with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) every year since 2023
• Also earned all-state honors in track and field, placing sixth in the high jump as a freshman and sophomore
• Ranked the No. 11 overall prospect by PrepDig

Coach Dani Busboom Kelly:

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