While not getting the top overall seed was a snub for the Nebraska softball team, it's officially time to move past that. The Huskers will begin the second season on Friday in the opening round of the Lincoln Regional against South Dakota. While the Coyotes are already an interesting story, considering they upset their way to the playoffs despite a 20-34 record, there are other factors that make this matchup stand out. Not the least of which is all the family ties involved in NU vs USD.
Brooke Carey gives Nebraska softball’s South Dakota opener an unexpected family subplot
The first family tie is the most direct. Third base for the Coyotes is occupied by Brooke Carey. She just happens to be the sister of Husker baseball star Dylan Carey. Needless to say, it's been a very fun spring for that family as Brooke's brother gets ready to take NU to the regionals and beyond while Brooke hopes for a big upset.
Outside of the Careys, there are no fewer than seven South Dakota players whose family will almost certainly make the trip to Bowlin Stadium later this week. Faith Mills (Gretna), Autumn Iverson (Wahoo), Abi Brown (Bennington), Piper Ruhl (North Star), Allie Cromer (Elkhorn South), Delaney White (Norris), and Sara Iburg (Pius X) all played high school ball in Nebraska.
But wait, there's more.
USD Assistant Shannon Pivovar is a native of Omaha who spent time as the sports information director at Creighton and also coached at Ralston and Marion High Schools in Omaha. She's also working toward her master’s degree at Wayne State College in Nebraska.
Kennadi Williams gives Nebraska softball’s South Dakota matchup one more family wrinkle
Finally, there's Kennadi Williams. The daughter of Nebraska women's basketball coach Amy Williams, Kennadi spent part of her childhood in South Dakota while her mom coached the Coyotes women's basketball team from 2013 to 2016.
Needless to say, the Nebraska softball team will have a loud crowd to keep them rolling to the Women's College World Series, but South Dakota might have the second-largest pack of supporters at the regional, hoping to see a massive upset or two.
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