With the 2023 Nebraska volleyball season less than a week away, it was time for the team’s annual Red/White scrimmage. In front of a packed house in the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the Red team triumphed over the White team 3-1.
Outside hitter and Florida transfer Merritt Beason led the Red team at the net, alongside freshman outside hitter Harper Murray. The duo combined for 26 kills, 13 apiece, to keep the Red team ahead for much of the match. Alongside Beason’s and Murray’s offensive aggression, freshman setter Bergen Reilly led the team in assists with 36 on the night. Libero Lexi Rodriguez played her part defensively, finishing the night with 18 digs.
For the White team, outside hitter Lindsay Krause led the charge offensively, finishing with a match-high 16 kills off 59 attacks. Outside hitter Hayden Kubik was right behind Krause for the White team, finishing with 13 kills off 39 total attacks. Setter Kennedi Orr led the White team in assists, racking up 29 total. On the defensive side, freshman libero Laney Choboy finished the night with 19 total digs for the White team.
The first two sets were nearly identical to each other. Back-and-forth action between the teams caused the scoring margin never to go higher than four. The Red team won both sets, heading into intermission up 2-0.
The third set started out much the same, but the White team erupted in the latter half of the set, pulling away to win 25-19. The team continued their fight heading into the fourth set. After trailing 19-6, the team mounted a comeback and forced a 24-24 tie. But the Red team managed to put the match away taking the set 27-25.
The Huskers will begin regular season action Friday, Aug. 25 as they host the Ameritas Players Challenge. This year Nebraska is welcoming Utah State, Lipscomb and SMU. The Huskers will play one match a day from Aug. 25-27. Each match will be streamed on B1G+, and their match against Utah State on Aug. 25 will be televised on Nebraska Public Media.