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No. 1 Nebraska volleyball continues unreal start against Michigan

by: Ben Beecham8 hours agoBeechamBen
Nebraska volleyball Rebekah Allick
Nebraska volleyball Rebekah Allick (Photo by Nebraska Athletics)

Nebraska is the top-ranked team for a reason. In conference play, the Huskers have not dropped a set, marking over a month since they have let an opponent get to 25. The last time Nebraska let a team take a set was on Sept. 16 in its five-set thriller against rival Creighton.

Dani Busboom Kelly’s squad has steamrolled all Big Ten opposition and continued to Sunday. The Huskers (18-0, 8-0) handled Michigan (12-7, 2-6), sweeping the Wolverines in straight sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-18). This is the second time the Scarlet and Cream have swept Michigan this season.

Once again, Nebraska’s impressive defense led the way. The Huskers’ limited Michigan to a .079 hitting percentage and forcing them into 24 hitting errors. Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick led the unit, combining for 11 of the team’s 13 blocks.

Ann Arbor, Mich. native Harper Murray led Nebraska’s offense in her homecoming match. The outside hitter had nine kills and hit .269. The Huskers hit .390 as a team in the match.

The match was the first time the Wolverine’s Crisler Center has sold out. A venue record 12,707 fans took in the match, shattering the previous high of 8,137.

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Set 1: Huskers start slow, finish strong

Michigan took an early lead in the first set, however Nebraska answered well. After a slow start, the Huskers found a rhythm to take the set 25-18.

The Wolverines started hot, as their hitting percentage was above .300 early against the best statistical defense in the country. However, Nebraska tightened up, forcing Michigan to post a .146 hitting percentage in the set.

Out of the media timeout, the Huskers went on a 6-0 run behind a strong offensive output to climb their lead to 21-13. Nebraska hit .360 as a team in the set. Harper Murray led the team with four kills and recorded a .571 clip in the set.

Michigan went on a 4-0 run in an attempt to make the set competitive down the stretch, but the Huskers slammed the door.

Set 2: Nebraska defense stifles Wolverines

The Huskers carried their momentum from the first set into the second, as they shut down Michigan’s offense. Nebraska limited the Wolverines to a -.185 hitting percentage as it won the set 25-13.

Michigan hung around early in the second set, but just like the first, the Huskers went on a 7-0 run to cement a sizeable mid-set lead.

Nebraska’s impenetrable defense made it difficult for the Wolverines to facilitate any offense, as it completely shut down the Maize and Blue.

Nebraska’s offense also had an improved second set as it hit .400 as a team. Allick recorded three kills in the set.

Set 3: Huskers slam the door

Nebraska let Michigan hang around again early in the third set. However, Dani Busboom Kelly’s team still handled business to close out the game with a 25-18 set win.

The Huskers shot out of the gate, gaining an early 6-1 lead. However, Michigan’s offense found a bit of new life after a rough second set and brough the score to 11-10 midway through the set.

Just like the first two sets, Nebraska went on a mid-set run. After finding a small offensive spark, the Wolverines’ offense began to fizzle out as the set waned on but still hit a respectable .212.

Nebraska will be back in action at home against Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6:00 p.m. CT. Catch the game on Nebraska Public Media.

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