Despite Title Win, Nebraska Volleyball Faces Setback Ahead of NCAA Championships Tournament
Nebraska’s Resilience Tested: A Setback Before the Big Stage
On a fateful November 29, Nebraska volleyball’s incredible winning streak came to an unexpected halt as they faced off against Penn State. Riding high on a spectacular 25-match winning streak, the Huskers arrived in Pennsylvania with all eyes on them, widely regarded as the favorites. Yet, the NU team crumbled in the face of the Nittany Lions, losing 3-1. Despite their best efforts, the Huskers could not hold off Penn State’s relentless assault. However, true to their resilient spirit, Nebraska immediately bounced back, defeating Maryland and securing a share of the coveted 2024 BIG10 championship title.
Although Nebraska had to share the BIG10 championship title with Penn State, the Huskers ended their regular season on a victorious note. This triumph paved the way for Nebraska to join the nation’s top volleyball teams at the grandest tournament of the year—the 2024 NCAA Championships. With a title already under their belts, they look to set the bar even higher. Yet, before the Huskers embark on this journey for national glory, they have encountered an unexpected setback.
The Fall in Rankings: Nebraska Tumbles on AVCA Polls
Since September, the Nebraska Huskers had held their ground among the top two Division 1 volleyball teams in the country. They were one of the most formidable forces in the sport, steadfastly maintaining a spot at the pinnacle of the AVCA Polls. But with the loss to Penn State, Nebraska has dropped a crucial position in the rankings.
This is the first time in three months that Nebraska volleyball has found itself moved from its familiar place at the very top of the polls. The latest AVCA Poll saw Pittsburgh ending the regular season at the top spot. Lincoln Arneal, a well-regarded host of the Volleyball State Podcast, reported on social media: “Pitt finishes the regular season atop the AVCA poll.” Penn State managed to move up to #2, displacing Nebraska to third. Both teams received a first-place vote, indicating how closely contested these rankings are.
Despite Nebraska’s fantastic season that included a 25-game winning streak, they couldn’t secure an outright BIG10 title victory that would have ensured the #1 spot in the final polls. Instead, after being beaten by the Nittany Lions at Rec Hall, Nebraska slipped down a spot on the AVCA list, ending up in third place. Nebraska wasn’t the only one to experience this change—Louisville also dropped to #4, followed closely by Stanford, who ended at #5.
“Louisville slipped to No. 4, one spot ahead of Stanford. Creighton was sixth followed by Wisconsin, Arizona State, Purdue, and SMU,” reported Arneal in Huskers Illustrated, outlining a dramatic reshuffle among the nation’s best volleyball squads.
Interestingly, besides Stanford moving up a place and Penn State advancing two spots, every other team in the Top 10 saw a decrease in their AVCA standings. Nebraska earned 14 first-place votes in last week’s polls, but ultimately ended the regular season ranked third. However, the AVCA rankings are likely not Nebraska players’ top priority at this moment.
A Path to Redemption: Nebraska Looks Ahead to the NCAA Tournament
With their BIG10 title shared and rankings shaken, the Nebraska Huskers now find themselves at the threshold of the biggest challenge of the season—the NCAA Championship. Their regular-season finale exposed certain vulnerabilities, and the Huskers have little room for error if they wish to end this season on a triumphant note.
In their matchup against Penn State, several stars of the NU volleyball team appeared a bit off-balance. While standout player Harper Murray managed to score 13 kills for her team, Penn State’s Caroline Jurevicius eclipsed her efforts, racking up an impressive 18 kills, leading to their 3-1 victory. Nebraska’s response was swift—they managed to find their groove again, delivering a win against Maryland. Senior star Merritt Beason led her team to victory with a standout performance of 19 kills, reaffirming her reputation as a key player. However, mistakes plagued the game, including those by Murray, who recorded 5 kills but also committed 6 errors. Similarly, Landfair struggled with 3 kills against 4 errors, and Allick had 1 kill against 2 errors.
If Nebraska wishes to make it to the finals once again and overcome the bitter taste of last year’s runner-up finish, they must iron out the kinks in their gameplay. Winning a share of the conference title and boasting an overall record of 29-2 certainly puts Nebraska in an enviable position as they head into the tournament, where they have secured the #2 seed.
Nebraska begins their 2024 NCAA Tournament campaign on Friday against Florida A&M at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. With the home-court advantage and an enthusiastic fan base cheering them on, Nebraska has every opportunity to advance and make a statement. The question remains, though—will they have resolved their recent struggles in time to fulfill their ultimate goal of claiming a national title? Only time will tell.
