Nebraska Volleyball had been basking in endless admiration during their incredible 25-match win streak—a journey that had fans buzzing with pride. But all good streaks meet their end, and for the Huskers, it came in a fiery clash at No. 4 Penn State. In front of a roaring crowd of 6,597 at Rec Hall, the Lions ended the Huskers’ unbeaten run with a 3-1 victory (21-25, 25-14, 22-25, 23-25), marking the first time Penn State triumphed over Nebraska since 2018. This wasn’t just any win for the Nittany Lions. Penn State (29-2, 19-1 B1G) clinched a share of the Big Ten title with their thrilling performance, leaving Nebraska (28-2, 18-1 B1G) needing a victory against Maryland in their final regular-season match to share the crown.

Harper Murray brought her A-game for the Huskers with 13 kills and 13 digs, but Penn State’s Caroline Jurevicius stole the spotlight, notching a career-high 18 kills with a jaw-dropping .414 hitting percentage. And while the Huskers have certainly earned their accolades, not all the attention has been kind. Beneath the cheers and applause were waves of trolls who seized their loss as an opportunity to pounce. But one bold Husker has now stepped up, shutting down the negativity with a fierce response, proving they’re just as strong off the court as they are on it.

Harper Murray’s fierce comeback!

On November 30, Harper Murray took to TikTok with a bold message, clapping back at trolls who had crossed the line. With a mix of honesty and frustration, she shared, “I truly don’t understand how some of you guys can wake up in the morning, open your phone, type something so nasty and rude about somebody, and post it and think that it’s a good idea.” Her words carried a powerful reminder of empathy, as she added, “Because first of all, if someone said that about your sister, your daughter, your cousin, your best friend, I guarantee you wouldn’t like it.”

Harper Murray revealed that, over time, she’s grown stronger in dealing with negativity but stressed the lingering impact of such comments. “I’m in a way better place now where I can handle seeing these things a lot better and hearing these things, but that still doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect me,” she admitted. She highlighted the broader issue, noting how these attacks also affect her teammates and other players in the sport.

Ending with a direct and unapologetic call for change, she said, “And I just wanted to get out there and say that, like, you guys need to chill and stop because it is so embarrassing, it is so embarrassing for you.” Harper’s message resonated as both a plea for kindness and a stand against the negativity that plagues social media. But Harper Murray isn’t the only Husker to shut down the trolls—another teammate has also spoken out about it before!

Another Husker speaks up!

Yes, you heard that right! Harper Murray isn’t the only Husker standing up against the wave of online hate—another teammate, Lindsay Krause, has also joined the rally to defend their team. The Huskers’ loss to Penn State sent shockwaves through their loyal fan base, leading to a flood of criticism that was nowhere near expected. What started as murmurs of disappointment over sluggish gameplay turned into an avalanche of harsh words, with some even labeling Nebraska’s volleyball team as “chokers.”

This wasn’t a new narrative, as the fire had been smoldering since the Huskers’ tough loss to the Texas Longhorns in last season’s NCAA final. But Friday’s defeat seemed to unleash a storm, shaking even the most steadfast spirits. As the team’s senior, Krause couldn’t remain silent. Just a week prior, she had experienced a heartfelt farewell at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, celebrated by her teammates and fans alike. Yet now, she found herself grappling with cruel comments from the same supporters.

Krause decided to step forward, using her platform to shield her teammates and uphold the dignity of Nebraska volleyball. Shortly after the match, she posted a poignant note on Instagram, reminding everyone, “In case for some reason you may have forgot this holiday season: athletes are HUMAN and FANS don’t post hate comments.” She didn’t stop there, adding, “We are people that have given our entire lives to do what we are doing, and unless you’re down here next to us, I promise you do NOT understand and it is NOT funny.” Having dedicated four seasons to Nebraska volleyball, Krause poured her heart into highlighting the emotional toll such criticism takes, urging fans to remember the humanity behind the game.