LINCOLN, Neb.-- Nebraska Sports Council officials have announced who will light the caldron during Opening Night festivities for the Cornhusker State Games.

New Nebraska volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly will carry the flame to the caldron at this year's Cornhusker State Games.

Busboom Kelly is a Cortland native and Freeman High School graduate. She is succeeding John Cook as the fourth head coach in the history of Nebraska Volleyball. The Cornhusker State Games says she brings an unmatched legacy as a national champion player, assistant coach and head coach.

Not only is she a collegiate national champion but also holds the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year award and brought the University of Louisville to two NCAA Championship match appearances. Busboom Kelly then signed a six-year contract at Nebraska in February, returning to her alma mater.

The Nebraska volleyball coach also competed in the Cornhusker State Games as a young athlete, which officials say makes her selection as caldron-lighter a full-circle moment and an inspiration for this year's competitors.

This year marks the 41st year of Nebraska's largest amateur sports festival. It will take place July 10-20. Events are held in Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island and North Platte.

This year's Games will also be receiving national attention as ESPN has selected the event to represent Nebraska in its "50 States in 50 Days" summer series.

The opening ceremonies will be July 10 outside of Pinnacle Bank Arena and will once again be televised on News Channel Nebraska.