Another year, another playoff, and another final appearance for the Texas Longhorns. The team has had its fair share of being at the top of the ladder in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. However, they don’t have many instances of converting their top position into a title win.

Entering their third national final appearance in four years, the Texas Longhorns know better than to relax until the championship is in their grasp. A social media post reflected this very sentiment, as Texas’ Asjia O’Neal answered a press conference question reflecting her team’s seriousness.

No room for errors for the Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns posted a compilation clip of the team’s preparation and commitment on its Instagram page. The video started with an interviewer asking O’Neal, “Unfinished business. How long do you allow yourself to celebrate this victory before you start thinking about the Cornhuskers?” The clip was taken from their post-match conference after they defeated Wisconsin in the semis.

Replying to this, the middle blocker said, “You wanna be able to enjoy it, but not for too long. Tomorrow we’re back at it and we’re locked in.” The video showcased the highlights of the match and ended with head coach Jerritt Elliott saying, “We got one more big one to go.”

Elliott has sailed the Texas Longhorns to the final four stage 10 times in the last fifteen years. However, while Texas won the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2012, it suffered a 10-year title drought before winning in 2022 again. One of these losses involved a final match defeat against Nebraska in 2015.

The number one seed Nebraska Huskers have played fiercely throughout the 2023 season. While the Texas Longhorns were also defeated by Nebraska in 1995, both teams didn’t have their present head coaches with them. Interestingly, while Jerritt Elliott took the reins of Texas in 2001, Nebraska’s head coach also took his position just a year ago in 2000.

Third championship for Elliott or fifth championship for Cook?

The Nebraska Huskers and the Texas Longhorns are traditional powerhouse teams with five and four title wins, respectively. Out of these, while Jerritt Elliott just has two championship wins, Cook won four seasons with Nebraska. Just like Texas, Nebraska is also in business mode and quoted the NBA legend Kobe Bryant right after their semifinal win against Pittsburgh. 

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The Nebraska Huskers won their last title in 2017 and had to face a crushing loss in 2021 against arch-rivals Wisconsin Badgers. Thus, both teams carry fresh scars from previous final losses. Thus, both teams know that it’s not over till the final whistle of the final match gets blown. With the finals less than 24 hours away, which of these powerhouse teams will lift the 2023 NCAA trophy?

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