Nebraska Volleyball Crushes Penn State in Dominant Sweep
Historic Sweep: Nebraska Dominates Penn State in Volleyball Showdown
Nebraska’s Historic Volleyball Performance Against Penn State
In an unforgettable night at Rec Hall, Nebraska’s No. 1-ranked women’s volleyball team delivered a resounding performance, sweeping the reigning national champions, Penn State, with set scores of 25-6, 25-15, and 25-13. This match marked a significant low for the Nittany Lions, as they scored just six points in the first set, the fewest since the implementation of rally scoring in 2001.
Penn State Struggles to Keep Pace
The match was marked by a notable trend: Penn State’s 34 total points set a program record for the fewest in the rally-scoring era. Previously, the Nittany Lions had only recorded 11 points at home against Nebraska in 2018 and Oregon State in 2012.
On the other hand, Nebraska achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .437 while limiting Penn State’s performance to a staggering -.114, the second-lowest recorded against the Huskers since 2001. This victory also represented the first time Nebraska won in straight sets at Rec Hall since September 22, 2017.
Preparation and Execution Key to Nebraska’s Success
Before the match, Coach Dani Busboom Kelly and her team were fueled by determination to avenge their previous losses to Penn State, including a defeat in the national semifinals last year. Kelly expressed her confidence in her team’s preparation and focus earlier in the week, stating, “I felt like all week we were locked in.” This focus translated to a dominant display on the court.
Team Contributions Highlighted
Junior setter Bergen Reilly played a pivotal role with 26 assists, eight digs, and three blocks, establishing an early rhythm for her teammates. Following Penn State’s initial points, Reilly facilitated back-to-back kills from freshman Virginia Adriano and a kill from freshman Teraya Sigler, setting the tone for the match.
- Bergen Reilly: 26 assists, 8 digs, 3 blocks
- Rebekah Allick: 9 kills at .615, 4 blocks
- Virginia Adriano: 8 kills on 11 attempts
- Andi Jackson: 6 kills
- Harper Murray: 6 kills
Penn State’s Offensive Challenges
Penn State struggled significantly in their offensive efforts, recording only 16 kills, with junior Kennedy Martin contributing 11 of those. The rest of the team faced difficulties, with Emmi Sellman and Maggie Mendelson combining for merely five kills alongside multiple errors.
In stark contrast, Nebraska’s defensive strategy effectively contained the Nittany Lions, leading to a blocking advantage of 9-5 and allowing the Huskers to maintain control throughout the match.
Looking Ahead: Nebraska’s Next Challenge
As Nebraska revels in this significant victory, the team will quickly turn their attention to their next matchup against Rutgers, who recently defeated Maryland. Coach Kelly emphasized the importance of celebrating this win, expressing excitement about the newfound confidence within her players. “Tonight, that wasn’t a tough match for us. We celebrated a little bit of swag,” she noted.
For continuous updates on Nebraska Volleyball, interested fans can follow Emegypt for the latest news. The Huskers aim to build on this momentum as they advance in their season.
