Last week’s epic showdown saw the Nebraska volleyball team deliver a knockout punch to Southern California, transforming the match into an unforgettable weekend highlight! Ally Batenhorst’s emotional return against her former teammates and the Huskers’ stunning 3-0 victory was pure magic, showcasing a powerhouse performance that left the Trojans gasping for air.

This week, the Huskers kept the energy high, even with one of their stars sidelined! Who was the missing piece? It was none other than sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson, who’s been lighting up the court with an impressive.475 hitting percentage—ranking fifth in the nation! Unfortunately, she was out with an injury, as revealed by the Huskers Radio Network. Her absence was felt, as she had an average of 2.66 kills per set and 48 blocks to her name, trailing only Rebekah Allick.

No need to worry, though—the No. 2 Nebraska Huskers team didn’t let that slow them down. They charged into their first Big Ten road match of the season and came away with a solid sweep against Illinois, scoring 25-18, 25-22, and 25-17 at Huff Hall in Champaign! The Huskers (13-1, 3-0) showed their resilience, proving that even without one of their big stars, they could deliver a dazzling performance.

Moreover, the Nebraska squad maintained their winning streak, grabbing their ninth sweep of the season! Big Ten Volleyball even shared a clip on X showcasing every thrilling set point from the match, capturing the excitement of the moment and reminding fans, “The Huskers cruised to their ninth sweep of the season. See every set point from the latest @HuskerVB sweep over Illinois.”

With Andi Jackson sidelined, Nebraska coach John Cook turned to the transfer portal for help. Leyla Blackwell, a grad transfer from San Diego, really stepped up against Illinois, scoring six kills with a .385 hitting percentage in her sixth game this season. Taylor Landfair, the Minnesota transfer and 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year, teamed up with Merritt Beason and Harper Murray to create a super-strong trio. Landfair added eight kills, Beason led with 10 at .421, and Murray chipped in nine kills and 11 digs for a double-double.

The contributions from the team don’t end here, as Rebekah Allick was a beast at the net with nine blocks and four kills, while Lexi Rodriguez scooped up 14 digs. Setter Bergen Reilly served up 30 assists, helping the team find their rhythm. After Illinois jumped ahead 5-1, the Huskers quickly flipped the script with a 12-3 run. They battled hard in the second set, overcoming a 21-19 deficit to snag that one too, and kept the momentum going in the third to secure their 11th straight win and ninth sweep of the season! Yet, despite all their success, they’re still fighting for a massive goal.

Nebraska Huskers volleyball squad aims for the top spot

Despite all their hard-fought victories, the Nebraska Huskers find themselves sitting at the No. 2 spot in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll, trailing the undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers, who are collecting votes like candy! It stings a little, especially after losing the first-place vote they earned two weeks ago by taking down powerhouse teams like No. 2 Stanford and No. 4 Louisville, who subsequently slid down to third and fifth place.

With a stellar 12-1 record to kick off the season, their only hiccup came against SMU, but they’ve been lighting up the court since, going on a remarkable nine-match win streak since late August. The Huskers have swept nearly all their non-conference showdowns and kicked off their Big Ten campaign in style with a solid win over UCLA.

Now, after overpowering three teams ranked in the top six, including their latest triumph over Illinois, they’re all set to keep that winning momentum rolling. It’s an exciting time for Nebraska Huskers as they gear up to host Iowa at home this Sunday!