Russ Rose Then (1995): “Nikki’s a very good athlete with a competitive energy that is quickly noticeable. She’s a good student and comes from one of the top junior programs in the country. Her experience is going to be something that we’re going to really depend on. She’s not going to have the luxury of wasting time. l expect her to be playing against Nebraska in our first match of the season. I’m interested to see how she plays against one of the most experienced teams in the country.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Nikki didn’t stay all four years, but while she was here, she practiced hard and contributed to the program. She was a terrific multisport athlete in high school and had a good frame for college volleyball at that time — she was 6 feet or 6-1. She was a person that could ball handle and play well at the net.”
1996 Season (Freshman) Highlights and Awards: Volleyball Monthly Freshmen to Watch.
Season Recap: Played in 11 of 35 matches and 13 of 116 sets … totaled 6 kills (.238 hitting %) 6 digs and 2 total blocks.
Before Penn State: Higley was named first-team MNVBCA Class AA All State in 1994 and was a Volleyball Monthly “Fab 50” selection in 1995 … guided North Branch High School in Minnesota into the history books during the 1993 season, as the Vikings placed 3rd in their very first state tournament appearance … that same year, Higley reached the state semi-finals as a starter for the basketball squad … North Branch proved the performance was no fluke, as the spikers returned to the state tournament in 1994, finishing 4th … a 5-time All-Rum River Conference selection twice in volleyball – earned 1st-team all-state honors as a senior when the squad won its 2nd consecutive conference crown … she was awarded sportsmanship banners in all 3 trips to the state tournament.
“Reserves now getting a chance to crack into Lady Spikers lineup,” The Daily Collegian, Nov 19, 1997
