A native of Lincoln, Neb., Best stayed in her hometown to attend the University of Nebraska where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1993.  She played volleyball for four standout seasons and won nearly every individual award possible while leading the Huskers to a four-year mark of 106-20 and a Big 8 Conference record of 46-2 with 3,786 career assists.

After graduating in 1994, Best was named the head volleyball coach at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1994.  She guided the Hardrockers to a two-year mark of 53-33, including a league title in 1994.  Best then returned to Nebraska as the legendary Terry Pettit’s top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for four seasons that saw two trips to the national semifinals and a four-year mark of 116-19.  She joined UM as Montana’s fourth head volleyball coach in February 2000.

On the court, Best coaches the middle blockers and setters, positions she played in college, as well as oversees the entire offensive attack.  Off the court, she now carves out time for working on a Master’s degree.  “My intention is to pursue a MBA degree while continuing to work full time in athletics,” says Best.  “My hope is to combine my passion for athletics with current business concepts to enhance working conditions in college athletics today.”   

If you’re not a student at UM where you might run into Nikki in the classroom, you will want to catch one of the last 5 home games scheduled for the season in the West Auxiliary Gym of the Adams Center.  Go Griz!