If you’ve spent any time in the Devaney Center or followed the Huskers over the last decade and a half, you know that Nebraska volleyball isn't just about the All-Americans or the players whose faces end up on the side of a building. It's about the depth. It's about the local kids who grew up dreaming of that red jersey and actually made it happen. Paige Hubl is one of those names that represents the literal heartbeat of the program during a pivotal era.
She wasn't the six-foot-four outside hitter crushing balls into the floor. Honestly, she was the one diving into the floor to make sure those balls never touched it.
Why Paige Hubl Nebraska Volleyball Stats Don't Tell the Whole Story
A lot of people look at box scores and see a handful of digs or a service ace and move on. That's a mistake. Hubl, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, came into the program in 2009 with a massive reputation locally. At Southeast, she was a four-year starter, a libero who basically redefined what hustle looked like in the city. She held school records for digs in a single match (30) and aces (6).
But walking into the Nebraska locker room is a different beast entirely.
You're going from being "The Girl" in your hometown to being a role player on a team that expects a national championship every single December. Hubl’s journey from a freshman seeing limited action to a senior captain in 2012 is the blueprint for how you survive and thrive under John Cook.
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The Gritty Climb to the Captaincy
Most players would’ve checked out. Think about it. In 2010, her sophomore year, she didn’t even see the court in a match. Not once. In an era where the transfer portal makes it easy to jump ship the moment things get tough, Hubl stayed. She provided depth, she pushed the starters in practice, and she waited.
By 2011, things changed. She played in all 30 matches. She wasn't just "depth" anymore; she was a defensive and serving specialist that Cook trusted in big moments. She notched a career-high 12 digs against Kansas State in the 2011 tournament. That’s not a small feat. That’s a local kid showing up when the season is on the line.
- 2009: 2 matches played, 1 dig.
- 2010: Redshirt/Depth (no match play).
- 2011: 30 matches, defensive specialist role solidified.
- 2012: Named Team Captain. Played in every match.
The 2012 Season: A Leader in the Locker Room
The fact that Paige Hubl was named a captain in 2012 alongside Lauren Cook and Hannah Werth says everything you need to know about her value. You don't get the "C" on your jersey at Nebraska just because you're a senior. You get it because you own the culture.
Her senior year was her statistical peak, too. She averaged 0.59 digs per set and was a constant presence at the service line. She had this massive 15-dig performance against Duquesne that reminded everyone she still had those Lincoln Southeast reflexes.
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What Fans Often Get Wrong About Role Players
There’s this misconception that if you aren't starting every set, you aren't "successful" at a school like Nebraska. Hubl’s career proves the opposite. She was part of the transition from the old Coliseum days into the modern era of Husker dominance. She was a scholar-athlete, earning her degree in May 2013, and she represented the "homegrown" element that keeps the fan base so fiercely loyal.
Basically, she was the bridge. She showed that you could be a local legend, stay four years, deal with the bench, and come out the other side as a captain of the most storied program in the sport.
Life After the Court
Hubl graduated with a degree in child, youth, and family studies. While she isn't in the headlines for professional volleyball in 2026, her impact is still felt in the Nebraska volleyball community. You’ll often see former players like her returning for alumni weekends or being mentioned as examples of the "Nebraska Way."
She represents a specific type of athlete: the one who values the name on the front of the jersey more than the stats next to their name in the program.
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Key Takeaways for Young Athletes
If you're a high school libero or DS looking at Paige Hubl’s career, here is what you should actually take away from it:
- Patience is a Skill: Not playing for a year (like her 2010 season) isn't a failure. It’s a preparation period.
- Specialization Matters: Hubl became indispensable because she could serve and pass at a high level. You don't need to be 6'2" to be a Husker legend.
- Culture is King: Being a captain as a defensive specialist is a massive flex. It means the coaches and players trust your brain and your heart more than your vertical jump.
If you want to understand the current Husker roster, look back at players like Hubl. They are the ones who set the standard for the bench energy and practice intensity that defines the program today.
Next Steps for Husker Fans: Go back and watch the 2011 or 2012 tournament replays on the Big Ten Network archives. Watch the back row during serve receive. You’ll see #5 moving before the ball is even hit. That's how you play the game when you're a Nebraska kid living the dream.