Remember what the Nebraska volleyball team did to USC on September 27 in their own backyard? Or how they completely crushed Illinois and Iowa in back-to-back matches? In every one of those games, the unstoppable Huskers walked off the court with a flawless win, leaving their opponents with unforgettable losses.
In fact, Andi Jackson wasn’t even playing in some of those matches! The sophomore middle blocker has been sidelined with an injury, but Nebraska didn’t miss a step. The No. 2 squad made sure their fans didn’t feel the absence of a key starter. That’s just how Nebraska volleyball rolls. But has this incredible run bumped them up the rankings?
Big Ten Volleyball’s weekly ranking is out, and while it’s business as usual, there’s one surprise: Nebraska’s not at the top. Even crazier? Only Rebekah Allick made the list of best performers this week. So, where does that leave the Huskers on the AVCA poll?
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According to Beatricedailysun. com, Nebraska is right behind the Pittsburgh Panthers, who somehow snagged the top spot for the first time. Big moment for Pitt! After racking up 36 straight set wins to kick off the season, the Panthers finally dropped a set in last Friday’s match against Boston College. But—any thoughts of an upset were short-lived. Pittsburgh bounced back with a vengeance, absolutely crushing the next set 25-7. Meanwhile, the Huskers are sitting comfortably at No. 2 with a 14-1 overall record and an undefeated 4-0 in the league. They’re still crushing it, just not at No. 1. And they’re not the only ones stuck in this ‘almost there’ situation.
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In the ongoing season, Penn State is cruising along at jet speed. Just a few weeks ago, they handed the Purdue volleyball women’s team an unexpected defeat, keeping their own record spotless in the league at 4-0. But has this impressive run stopped the Panthers from taking the top spot? Nope! The Nittany Lions are still sitting in third, trailing behind the Huskers. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is in the upper echelon, racking up plenty of records.
In their last match against Boston College, Olivia Babcock came to the rescue after the team lost the first set. The sophomore right-side hitter made history by sweeping 12 aces in the game—the most in a single match! On top of that, she recorded 14 kills, 12 aces, and 10 digs, landing the first triple-double of her career. And as if that weren’t enough, Panthers’ coach Dan Fisher celebrated his 300th victory from the sidelines that same day. The rankings definitely agree. But what’s next for the Nebraska Huskers?
Nebraska volleyball women’s team has a chance to turn the tables
After this Monday, it is the third straight week, the Nebraska volleyball women’s team is seated in the same place, the second position. So, during this ongoing non-conference season, fans might be wondering: how long will the Huskers remain in this spot? Well, they might just get a positive answer soon! Coming up, the Nebraska Huskers are set to face their highest-ranked opponent from the Big Ten, the Purdue Boilermakers, on October 11.
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How can the Huskers dominate the court yet still fall short in the rankings?
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With a 12-3, 3-1 record, the Potboilers are already rushing toward attaining the upper rung. On Sunday, the squad landed a decisive victory against Michigan by a 3-0 scoreline. It was the 470th victory for coach Dave Shondell. Now, for their next match, the Potboilers will come to Bob Devaney Sports Center, the backyard of the Nebraska volleyball women’s team. This match is crucial, as the outcome could significantly impact the rankings. A thumping victory for the Huskers could propel them into the top spot, setting the stage for an exciting showdown!
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How can the Huskers dominate the court yet still fall short in the rankings?