Nebraska volleyball falls to Texas in NCAA Championship Game

The Huskers entered Sunday afternoon looking to claim its sixth national title in volleyball.

The Huskers entered Sunday afternoon looking to claim its sixth national title in volleyball. But one final opponent stood in their way, reigning national champion Texas. The experienced Longhorns outmatched the No. 1 Huskers, resulting in a sweep (22-25, 14-25, 11-25) for Texas to win their second straight national championship.

Following an intense back-and-forth first set, Texas quickly ran away with the match, dominating Nebraska in the next two sets. The Huskers finished with their lowest hitting percentage of the season, .013, while also surrendering a hitting percentage of .264.

The Longhorns’ main strength came in serves and total kills. They finished with 38 kills and 12 aces on the day. Nebraska meanwhile only earned mustered up 20 kills and two service aces.

Freshman Harper Murray finished the match as Nebraska’s leader in kills, delivering seven off 23 total attacks. Murray also landed both of the Huskers’ service aces. Freshman Andi Jackson finished with the second-most kills for Nebraska, earning four off nine attacks.

Bekka Allick led Nebraska in blocks with four, while also landing three kills off seven attacks. Freshman Bergen Reilly concluded the season with 17 set assists and six digs for the Huskers. Reilly tied with Lexi Rodriguez for the most digs in the match for Nebraska.

Nebraska volleyball advances to Sweet Sixteen following sweep over Missouri

The No. 1 Huskers returned to postseason action with the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night.

The No. 1 Huskers returned to postseason action with the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night. Nebraska played host to eighth-seeded Missouri and swept the Tigers to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

The Huskers once again brought a powerhouse showing to ensure victory over Missouri. Nebraska produced 35 kills off 87 attacks and 14 total blocks, while the Tigers finished with 36 kills off 101 attacks and five total blocks. Attack errors also plagued Missouri as it suffered 27 in the match, while the Huskers only saw 12.

Merritt Beason continued to be Nebraska’s leader in the kill column, this time racking up 12 off 23 attacks. Bergen Reilly accompanied Beason’s offensive performance by delivering an all-around showcase. The freshman finished the match with 26 set assists, 10 digs, four service aces, and two blocks while also snatching two kills off five attacks.

Lexi Rodriguez earned the honors of being the Huskers’ leader in digs on the night, tallying up 11 while also earning three set assists. Bekka Allick and freshman Andi Jackson led the block party in the win. Allick put up eight, while Jackson delivered six.

Nebraska will remain host for the Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight as it welcomes Georgia Tech, Kentucky, and either Arkansas or TCU. The Huskers will face off against Georgia Tech for the Sweet Sixteen next week.

 

Nebraska volleyball earns share of conference title with win over Michigan

On Friday night, the No. 1 Huskers played their final home match of the regular season against Michigan.

On Friday night, the No. 1 Huskers played their final home match of the regular season against Michigan. Nebraska crushed the Wolverines in its sweep (25-19, 25-12, 25-20) and clinched a share of the conference title with a loss by Wisconsin.

The Huskers brought one of their best defensive outing of the season, holding Michigan to just 22 kills off 106 for a hitting percentage of .047. Nebraska meanwhile continued firing on all cylinders offensively, finishing with 41 kills off 87 attacks, despite no one reaching double-digit kills.

The freshmen duo of Andi Jackson and Harper Murray led the Huskers on offense, combining for 18 kills off 33 attacks. Jackson continued a strong run on offense, landing nine kills off 11 attacks for a hitting percentage of .727.

This is the third match in a row Jackson has finished above .600 for a hitting percentage while delivering eight or more kills. Murray meanwhile finished with nine kills off 22 attacks, bringing her season total to 299.

Freshman Bergen Reilly joined in on the action for the young Huskers, bringing in 28 set assists and six digs. Lexi Rodriguez again led Nebraska in digs, finishing the match with 15.

The Huskers move to 26-0 on the season and will spend the final three matches on the road, starting with a Sunday afternoon showdown with Iowa. The match is set for 2 p.m. and can be viewed on B1G+.

Nebraska volleyball player earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week

A Nebraska volleyball player has won a weekly award from the Big Ten Conference.

A Nebraska volleyball player has won a weekly award from the Big Ten Conference. Middle blocker Andi Jackson was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday.

Jackson averaged 2.13 kills per set, 1.13 blocks per set, and a .714 hitting percentage in Nebraska’s victories over Northwestern and Illinois. The Colorado native shared the award with Chloe Chicoine from Purdue.

She is the third Husker freshman to win the weekly league award, joining Harper Murray (Former USA TODAY HSSA National Girls Volleyball Player of the Year) and Bergen Reilly.

Nebraska will take to the floor again Friday when the No. 1 ranked Cornhuskers host Michigan at 8:00 p.m.

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