Rodriguez Named Finalist for AAU Sullivan Award
Former Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez has been named a finalist for the AAU Sullivan Award. Voting opens March 13 and will run through March 20, and fans can vote once per day. Click here to vote for Lexi Rodriguez.
Six athletes, each at the top of their respective sports, have been chosen as finalists for the 95th AAU James E. Sullivan Award. Since 1930, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented to the most exceptional athlete at the collegiate, Olympic, or other similarly elite level in the United States. As well as honoring athletic excellence, the AAU Sullivan award also recognizes the chosen athlete’s character and honors their quality of leadership, citizenship and sportsmanship.
Rodriguez advanced from a group of 39 semifinalists and will be present for the 95th AAU Sullivan Award ceremony on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club. The other five finalists are: Trey Augustine (Ice Hockey, Michigan State), Cooper Flagg (Basketball, Duke), Ashton Jeanty (Football, Boise State), Lee Kiefer (Fencing, USA Fencing) and Ilia Malinin (Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating).
The winner will join a renowned list of recipients. Last year, Caitlin Clark became the first two-time winner of the award. Other prior winners include Michael Phelps, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Michelle Kwan, Peyton Manning, Simone Biles, Carl Lewis and Carissa Moore.
Rodriguez finished her Husker career in December as a four-time AVCA All-American, a four-time All-Big Ten selection, and a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. She was an AVCA National Player of the Year finalist and a Honda Sport Award for Volleyball finalist in 2024, and she became the first-ever libero to be named AVCA Region Player of the Year. Rodriguez is Nebraska's all-time career leader in digs with 1,897. She is also a three-time Academic All-American, including two first-team accolades.
Rodriguez joins four other former Huskers who have been AAU Sullivan Award finalists: Kelsey Robinson (2014-15), Mikaela Foecke (2016-17 and 2018-19), Kelly Hunter (2017-18) and Annika Albrecht (2017-18).