Nebraska Volleyball Takes Winning Streak West: High-Stakes Matches Against Oregon and Washington
In a pivotal moment for college volleyball, the No. 2 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-1) are heading west for what could be their most challenging road trip of the season. With a remarkable 19-match winning streak on the line, the team faces two formidable opponents in their new Big Ten conference rivals.
The Oregon Challenge
The first test comes tonight at 10 PM ET as the Huskers face the No. 12 Oregon Ducks (17-4) at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene. The Ducks, fresh off a commanding 3-0 victory over UCLA, bring impressive stats to the court:
- I was ranked 11th nationally in blocks per set (2.80).
- Star player Mimi Colyer led the team with 3.93 kills per set.
- Onye Ofoegbu demonstrated strong middle blocking, achieving a score of.399.
Nebraska’s dominant season
The Cornhuskers have been nothing short of exceptional this season.
- They have won 19 consecutive games since their only loss to SMU on September 3.
- 15 of those victories were clean sweeps.
- With a.293 team hitting percentage, they secured the 10th position in the national rankings.
- The team ranks eighth in the country with 14.25 kills per set.
Key Players Leading the Charge
Several standout performers have fueled Nebraska’s success:
- Harper Murray: Leading with 3.22 kills per set and 24 service aces
- Merritt Beason is contributing 3.16 kills per set with a.268 hitting percentage.
- Andi Jackson has an impressive.456 hitting percentage, ranking fourth nationally.
- Kennedi Orr: The team’s trusted setter and serve specialist, praised by teammates for her consistency and positive impact.
Defense steps up
While known for their offensive prowess this season, the Huskers’ defense showed its strength in recent matches:
- Held No. 7 Wisconsin to.094 hitting
- Limited Northwestern to.082
- With a.152 opponent hitting percentage, they are currently leading the Big Ten.
Looking Ahead
After Oregon, the road trip continues to Seattle, where Nebraska faces Washington on Saturday at 10:30 PM ET. Coach John Cook remains confident about the late start times, calling his players “night owls.”
Lexi Rodriguez, recently tying for second place on Nebraska’s career digs list with 1,706 digs, reflects on the team’s growth: “I think it was just a lot of excitement and joy. I’ve only ever lost there, so to do it our senior year, to get the job done, to have a sweep, it was pretty cool.”
The Big Ten Network will broadcast both matches, with A.J. Kanell handling play-by-play duties. For volleyball fans nationwide, these matches promise to showcase some of the best talent in college volleyball and could prove crucial in determining conference standings as the season progresses.
As the Cornhuskers continue their quest for perfection in the Big Ten, these West Coast challenges will test their resilience, adaptability, and championship mettle. With their balanced attack and improved defense, Nebraska looks ready to face whatever challenges await them in Eugene and Seattle.