The Nebraska Huskers and Pittsburgh Panthers touched the strings of millions of hearts during the entire 2024 NCAA season and remained high and mighty as favorites. Nevertheless, both these teams received lots of love and hype, but they never got to the grand stage. For the Huskers, the dream ended in a nail-biting NCAA Semifinal clash against Penn State, falling 3-2 (25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 26-28, 13-15) after an epic five-set thriller. At the same time, the Pitt Panthers were also leaving with a bitter taste in their mouth after a 3-1 defeat to Louisville in the Semifinal match (25-21, 23-25, 27-29, 17-25).

Last season, the Huskers and the Panthers were at each other’s throats as far as the AVCA rankings were concerned. Now, as the calendar flips to 2025, it’s game on once again! The Huskers and Panthers are ready to renew their AVCA rivalry in the most thrilling way possible—by kicking off the new NCAA season head-to-head.

Lincoln Arneal of Huskers Illustrated hopped onto X on January 21, reposting a clip from Huskers Radio Network featuring John Cook deep in conversation. Adding some spice to the announcement, Lincoln dropped the exciting news, “Nebraska will kick off its 2025 season against Pittsburgh on Friday, Aug. 22 in the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Creighton, Stanford will also participate in the three-day event.” Talk about starting the season with a bang! With powerhouse teams like Creighton and Stanford joining the mix, this three-day volleyball extravaganza promises to bring all the drama, intensity, and electric vibes to Pinnacle Bank Arena.

As Hail Varsity puts it, “Nebraska will kick off the 2025 college volleyball season at Pinnacle Bank Arena,” hosting the AVCA First Serve Showcase from August 22 to 24. It’s a three-day showdown featuring eight teams, though the full lineup hasn’t been announced yet. What they do know? The Nebraska Huskers face Pitt on day one, Stanford takes on a TBA opponent, and Creighton joins the mix. Hail Varsity adds, “Nebraska volleyball fans have pleaded for years for this team to play in Pinnacle Bank Arena, so here’s your shot to do so and fill this place up!”

With a max capacity of 15,290, the arena promises an electric atmosphere for this talent-loaded event. “This tournament will be loaded,” Hail Varsity emphasizes. Tickets hit AVCA.org this summer—time to grab your seat and soak in the magic! So how has the rivalry been the last season between Nebraska Huskers and Pittsburgh Panthers?

Nebraska Huskers and Pittsburgh Panthers season 2024

The 2024 season was a whirlwind for Nebraska Huskers and Pittsburgh Panthers, but not for the reasons they’d hoped. While their on-court battles were intense, it was their off-court rivalry that stole the spotlight, especially as neither team made it to the NCAA finals. Instead, the drama played out in the rankings. On November 4, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball official X handle dropped a fiery update, tweeting, “Week 10 @AVCAVolleyball/ Taraflex Coaches Poll,” showing Nebraska hot on Pitt’s heels at No. 2. Pitt, of course, sat pretty at the top, basking in the glow of being chased.

A month earlier? Same story–Pitt on top, Nebraska Huskers working hard to shrink the gap. But when all was said and done, it was Penn State that was on top after winning the NCAA title. Although neither Pittsburg nor Nebraska could make it to the top of the rankings, their weeks-long tussle and final positions at third and fourth respectively set the stage for a sustained AVCA rivalry. Now, as the new season looms large, the stage is set for more sparks, more battles, and indeed for the continuation of this sizzling rivalry, on the court as well as on the list.