Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s basketball program will return to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in both 2026 and 2027 to play a pair of former conference rivals.

The games were announced Tuesday, Feb. 24 by Sanford Sports, as part of The Invitational at the Pentagon, and will feature a game between the Huskers and Kansas on Nov. 14, 2026, along with a matchup between the Big Red and Kansas State on Nov. 6, 2027.

Minnesota will join Nebraska in representing the Big Ten Conference in contests against the Kansas schools from the Big 12 over the next two years as well.

“These four programs represent some of the best women’s basketball in the country,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. “All four schools have tremendous players, coaching staffs, and fanbases within driving distance of Sioux Falls. We’re grateful to be able to host them for the next two years at the Sanford Pentagon.”

The doubleheaders in 2026 and 2027 are the renewal of “The Invitational,” which the Sanford Pentagon has hosted twice previously. In a 2021 doubleheader, South Carolina defeated South Dakota, while Arizona topped Louisville. 2022 featured a single game where South Carolina returned to Sioux Falls and defeated South Dakota State. Those two events featured six future WNBA first-round draft picks and four nationally ranked teams.

For Nebraska, The Invitational will mark their third and fourth straight seasons playing a non-conference game at the Pentagon. The Cornhuskers defeated South Dakota 113-70 on Nov. 16, 2024, and topped North Dakota State 82-70 on Nov. 16, 2025.

"We are thrilled to return to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls again the next two seasons," Nebraska Coach Amy Williams said. "It is an incredible basketball venue, and Husker fans have proven that for both men’s and women’s basketball games the past two seasons.  Playing quality opponents and old conference rivals like Kansas and Kansas State the next two years should give Husker fans some great reasons to be excited about following us to the Pentagon.”  

The Nebraska men's basketball team defeated Oklahoma 105-99 at the Pentagon on Nov. 15, 2025, prior to the Husker women's victory over North Dakota State the following afternoon. The Big Red men and women also played back-to-back dates at the Pentagon in 2024.

The Invitational will be the second and third appearance at the Sanford Pentagon for Kansas. The Jayhawks previously lost to Iowa 71-58 on Nov. 20, 2024.

"We are excited to take our team back to the Sanford Pentagon the next two years,” said Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider. “It is a terrific venue, and we will have a chance to compete against two Big Ten programs. We always set out to schedule strong non-conference games to help prepare our team for Big 12 play, and there's no doubt that games against Nebraska and Minnesota will do that for us." 

The Kansas State women’s basketball program will be making its first two appearances at the Sanford Pentagon during The Invitational.

“This is a great opportunity for us to play good competition in a really good basketball venue,” Kansas State Coach Jeff Mittie said.

The Sanford Pentagon hosted nine Division I basketball games in 2025 and celebrated its 100th NCAA D-I game overall on Nov. 10 as Iowa State defeated Mississippi State 96-80 in men’s basketball.

Camenzind Tabbed Co-Player of the Week

Nebraska softball two-way player Hannah Camenzind was named the Softball on Sports Illustrated Co-Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday.

Camenzind was 2-0 in the circle last weekend and helped lead the Huskers to their first ever undefeated Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The five wins included two victories over ranked opponents and three run rules.

The Valley, Neb., native’s weekend was highlighted by a five-inning no-hitter against Hawaii on Feb. 20. Camenzind also tossed five shutout innings against Seattle on Feb. 22. The Redhawks came into the game averaging 7.23 runs per game and scored none against her. 

Offensively, Camenzind had a batting average of .471 on the weekend, which was the highest of any Husker who was in the lineup for all five games. She totaled eight hits with three doubles, four runs and three RBIs. 

Camenzind and the rest of the Huskers will travel to Stillwater, Okla., to take on No. 24 Oklahoma State on Thursday. Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. (CT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.

Huskers Sweep Ottawa in Beach Opener

The Nebraska beach volleyball team began its season with a 5-0 sweep over Ottawa (Kan.) at the Alloy Strength Complex in the Hawks Championship Center on Monday. 

All five Husker pairs were victorious in sweeps, as were the two exhibition pairs. Laney Choboy and Skyler Pierce got the day started with a 21-14, 21-9 win playing as NU's top pair. Andi Jackson and Harper Murray edged their opponents, 21-16, 22-20. Olivia Mauch and Jayden Robinson clinched the team win with a 21-9, 21-13 triumph. 

Keri Leimbach and Manaia Ogbechie were dominant in a 21-5, 21-12 win. Virginia Adriano and Gabby DiVita closed out the sweep, winning 21-13, 21-8.

Kenna Cogill and Campbell Flynn combined for a 21-5, 21-11 victory in an exhibition. Ryan Hunter and Keoni Williams won 21-14, 21-11. 

NU plays two matches on Friday against Wayne State (8 a.m.) and Trinidad State (2 p.m.). The matches will be streamed on B1G+.

Nebraska 5, Ottawa 0
1. Laney Choboy/Skyler Pierce (NEB) def. Carson Schuman/Hollie Peters (OTT) 21-14, 21-9 
2. Andi Jackson/Harper Murray (NEB) def. Madison Brauner/Bailee Nickel (OTT) 21-16, 22-20
3. Olivia Mauch/Jayden Robinson (NEB) def. Makela Martinez/Janessa Ross (OTT) 21-9, 21-13
4. Keri Leimbach/Manaia Ogbechie (NEB) def. Madison Holcomb/Samantha Young (OTT) 21-5, 21-12
5. Virginia Adriano/Gabby DiVita (NEB) def. Brenna Diller/Brittan Lee (OTT) 21-13, 21-8
Exh. Kenna Cogill/Campbell Flynn (NEB) def. Teagan Norman/Olivia Lewis (OTT) 21-5, 21-11
Exh. Ryan Hunter/Keoni Williams (NEB) def. Alexia Maynes/Jezebel Hobbs (OTT) 21-14, 21-11

NU Punches Ticket to NCAA Championships

The No. 2 Nebraska rifle team has qualified for the 2026 NCAA Championships, as the NCAA announced the eight-team field Monday evening. 

The Huskers will face off against Kentucky, TCU, West Virginia, Ole Miss, Alaska-Fairbanks, Navy and Georgia Southern. The 2026 NCAA Championships will take place on Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are very excited to be heading back to NCAA Championships in a couple of weeks,” Head Coach Richard Clark said. “Qualifying as the #2 seed is a testament to the hours of work this team has put in over the season staying dedicated to their craft. This team has been very fun to watch perform day in and day out and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish on the big stage to cap off an already great year.”

The Big Red will make its first team appearance under Clark and 21st since becoming a varsity program in 1998. The Huskers’ qualifying score of 9495.33 was based on their score from NCAA qualifiers last weekend and their top three regular-season scores at different locations throughout the season.

The Huskers are bringing in experienced shooters, as senior Emma Rhode returns for her fourth NCAA Championships appearance. Sophomore Maddy Moyer also returns for her second appearance, as she qualified as an individual along with Rhode in 2025. 

NU has faced off against and defeated five of its seven opponents so far this season - Kentucky, TCU, Ole Miss, Alaska-Fairbanks and Navy. 

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