LINCOLN — Documentary-makers with ESPN were first drawn to the Nebraska volleyball program by the chance to capture a season framed by the historic Volleyball Day in Nebraska.

They wanted to create an E60 special showing the world why the sport is so popular in Nebraska and why the fanbase is so dedicated to the team. Their documentary, “No Place Like Nebraska”, answers those questions. But through following the Huskers for the entire 2023 season, it also goes beyond to offer deep profiles on the Big Red’s players and coaches.

“You’re going to hear from Harper Murray and Rebekah Allick, and Coach Cook, Merritt Beason in really raw ways that you’ve never seen them before," co-director Jen Karson-Strauss said. "I think that’s what I look forward to the most with people watching this documentary are the avid fans who think they know these people, and I think you’ll be really surprised about what you learn.”

Co-director Jen Karson-Strauss says her team compiled 40 terabytes of footage for the documentary. After shooting the major moments of the season, they returned for in-depth interviews in March and followed the team to its spring game in Kearney in May.

By the spring, a secondary storyline had developed: star freshman Harper Murray’s DUI. The outside hitter spoke to E60 about her mental state at the time.

“She was the one that actually wanted to do the second sit-down interview," Karson-Strauss said. "She wanted to talk about her story and I think that said a lot about her to me. It wasn’t something that I pushed or I forced.”

“No Place Like Nebraska” wrapped filming in May before Murray’s June misdemeanor shoplifting charge.

Karson-Strauss says the documentary might not be what fans expect. She compares it to a journey.

“The ups and downs of it but also the real, raw emotions and the mental health aspect that comes after the season concludes, I think is something that probably Husker fans haven’t seen in any other treatment that’s been done on the program,” Karson-Strauss said.

“No Place Like Nebraska” will air at 4:00 p.m. Central Time on Sunday on ESPN. An extended version will be available for streaming on ESPN+ afterward.