Rodriguez Named Semifinalist for AAU Sullivan Award

Former Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez has been named a semifinalist for the AAU Sullivan Award.

 

In total, 39 athletes, each at the top of their respective sports, have been chosen as semifinalists 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.

 

A one-week voting period for fans to determine the finalists will open to the public on Feb. 18 and will close on Feb. 25.

 

The winner of the 95th AAU Sullivan Award will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club.

 

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. 

 

Click here to see the complete list of semifinalists.