Creighton volleyball eyes next step after another Elite Eight run

As Brian Rosen prepares for year two, he says Creighton’s goals extend well beyond simply getting back to the same stage.

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‘We have really big goals’: Creighton volleyball aiming higher in 2026

As Brian Rosen prepares for year two, he says Creighton’s goals extend well beyond simply getting back to the same stage.

OMAHA, Neb. —

Creighton volleyball didn’t miss a beat in Brian Rosen’s first season as head coach.

The Bluejays advanced to the Elite Eight for the second straight year, reinforcing their place among the nation’s top programs. But as Rosen prepares for year two, he says Creighton’s goals extend well beyond simply getting back to the same stage.

“Elite Eights are incredible and so hard to do,” Rosen said. “But we have really big goals for this program.”

Creighton’s latest postseason run ended with a loss to Kentucky in the Elite Eight, and Rosen said the turnaround from appreciating the accomplishment to preparing for another run was quick.

“As soon as that breath was over, we lose to Kentucky in the Elite Eight, we were already on to, ‘Okay, now what do we need to do to fill our roster? What do we need to do to get over that hump?’”

One of Rosen’s biggest reasons for confidence entering the fall is Creighton’s defense.

He called the Bluejays’ block and defense their “special ingredient.”

Creighton also faces another round of questions after losing key contributors from last season, like Ava Martin. Rosen said that is nothing new for the program.

What Rosen believes will separate this year’s team is its work ethic.

“They are going to outwork everybody,” Rosen said. “Every time our coaching staff goes back to the office, we’re smiling ear to ear because they’re going after everything. They’re so loud, they’re energetic, they’re doing all the things that we’ve asked them above and beyond.”

Rosen said Creighton will once again play one of the toughest schedules in the country, a philosophy he said the program also uses as a recruiting tool.

“We tell them, ‘We are going to play one of the toughest schedules in the country,’” Rosen said.

Creighton hopes that early competition will prepare the team for its best volleyball when the stakes are highest.

Rosen said one lesson from last season was not putting too much emphasis on being at its best in August or September. Instead, the Bluejays want to steadily improve and peak in November and December.

And this season, the destination is clear.

“Now we want to get to San Antonio,” Rosen said. “It takes that belief in the team to do it. It starts now. We want to keep talking about it. We want to visualize it happening, and then hopefully it comes to fruition.”

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