Nebraska sweeps Iowa to clinch share of Big Ten title
Nebraska volleyball (27-0, 17-0) took down Iowa (14-15, 5-12) in straight sets (25-15, 25-21, 25-18). The Huskers remained undefeated against the Hawkeyes all-time, as the Yellow and Gold have never won a single match between the two in over 40 games.
Nebraska unleashed an offensive onslaught on Iowa in the first two sets, but slowed down as the game waned. The Huskers finished with a .384 hitting percentage in the match.
Harper Murray led the charge on offense, recording 11 kills. Andi Jackson added 10 kills while hitting .571. Dani Busboom Kelly‘s squad also displayed its defensive prowess, as it limited Iowa to a .073 hitting percentage, its third-lowest of the year.
Despite the balanced attack, a few stints of poor serving stung Nebraska. The Huskers had a whopping 10 service errors in the match, with six aces.
With the win, Nebraska claimed a share of the Big Ten championship for the third straight season. This is the program’s sixth Big Ten title and 37th overall conference ring.
Busboom Kelly becomes the first head coach to win a Big Ten title in their first year with a school. Former Huskers head coach and volleyball legend John Cook won a Big 12 title in his first season leading the program in 2000. Cook later capped off that undefeated season with a national title.
Set 1: Nebraska sets the tone
In the first set, the Huskers quickly showed their Big Ten rival why it hasn’t taken a set from them in 10 matches. Nebraska’s balanced attack let out a flurry of offense as it rolled to a 25-15 opening set victory.
From the first serve, the Huskers’ offense fired on all cylinders. The Scarlet and Cream posted a .464 hitting percentage in the first set, highlighted by some emphatic hits.
Taylor Landfair led the charge, recording five kills in the set while hitting .556. Jackson and Virginia Adriano both added three kills and provided some awe-inspiring plays for the crowd at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Jackson displayed her usual high-flying abilities while Adriano added some killer swings.
Nebraska’s top-notch defense also shone as it limited Iowa to a .152 hitting percentage in the set.
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Set 2: Hawkeyes make it competitive
After a rough first set, Iowa answered by making the second much more interesting. Although the Huskers escaped with a 25-21 set win, the Hawkeyes tested them.
Nebraska struggled with its serving. Busboom Kelly’s squad recorded four service errors in the set. Iowa capitalized on the Huskers’ poor serving as the score was tied 19-19 late in the set.
However, Nebraska’s explosive offense played an even better set to help it come out on top. The Huskers hit an absurd .500 in the set. Murray recorded six kills in the set after only having two in set one.
Set 3: Huskers’ offense sputters
Although Nebraska ultimately won the final set 25-18, its offense struggled after two stellar sets. The Huskers hit an uncharacteristically low .179 in the set.
The Scarlet and Cream’s serving issues also extended into the final set as they recorded five more service errors.
Despite the errors on offense, Nebraska’s defense had its most impressive set of the match. The Huskers limited Iowa to a -.154 hitting percentage and recorded four blocks in the set. They also forced the Hawkeyes into 10 attack errors.
Nebraska’s next match will be on Saturday, Nov. 22, against No. 17 Indiana at 5:00 p.m. CT on B1G+. If the Huskers win that match, they will claim the full share of the 2025 Big Ten title.
