New York, NY – Lexi Rodriguez, a Sterling, Illinois native and former Nebraska volleyball standout, has been awarded the 95th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, recognizing her as the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete at the New York Athletic Club on April 15.
Rodriguez is the first Nebraska volleyball player and only the third volleyball athlete overall to receive this prestigious honor, joining Lauren Carlini (2016) and Kathryn Plummer (2018). She is also the second University of Nebraska athlete to win the award, following Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner in 2000.
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award, established in 1930, is presented annually to the most exceptional athlete at the collegiate, Olympic, or similarly elite level in the United States. It honors not only athletic excellence but also leadership, character, and sportsmanship.
Numerous accolades marked Rodriguez’s collegiate career at Nebraska. She concluded her tenure 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 holds the school record for career digs with 1,897 and was a finalist for both the AVCA National Player of the Year and the Honda Sport Award for Volleyball in 2024.
Currently, Rodriguez plays professionally for LOVB Omaha, contributing to the team’s runner-up finish in the inaugural season of League One Volleyball.
In her acceptance speech at the New York Athletic Club, Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the honor and acknowledged the achievements of her fellow nominees. “To be here with Olympic and World champions, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” she said.
Rodriguez’s achievement adds her name to a distinguished list of past recipients, including Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Peyton Manning, and Caitlin Clark.
For more information about the AAU James E. Sullivan Award and its history, visit aausullivan.org.
Stay in the know with stories that matter — visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture, and community updates!
Facebook Comments