Nebraska Volleyball Sweeps a Strong Michigan Team to Open Big Ten Play

Nebraska 3, Michigan 0- 25-22, 25-10, 25-13

Nebraska volleyball can beat teams in a myriad of ways. Tonight was a sweep of a solid Michigan team. The scouting plan tonight was to serve Michigan’s libero, Maddi Cuchran and serve her deep. In set one, the Huskers did just that and Cuchran passed flawlessly. Cuchran had an excellent match, and it was her passing and defense that fueled the Wolverines.

Set one was close as Michigan was able to run a very quick offense and played a ton of defense. Players were diving into the stands, multiple balls were dug with one arm as the player flew through the air, and nothing hit the ground without a fight.

Nebraska captured set one behind the strength of their offense. Nebraska hit .302 in the first set, but Michigan bested that with a .323 hitting percentage. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly did what good coaches do, she adjusted. Nebraska changed the scouting play mid-match and began serving the two outside hitters for Michigan and the entire match changed.

From the first serve of set two, Nebraska was in full control. Huskers ended the night with five aces, but their tough serving produced more and more overpasses which then resulted in kills. The entire Husker front line stood poised and ready, and they were rewarded. Andi Jackson, overpass = kill. Harper Murray, overpass = kill. Rebekah Allick, overpass = kill.

Nebraska’s serve receive passing was excellent. The accuracy of the passes led to all offensive options being available for setter Bergen Reilly and she sure used them. Murray had 11 kills, Virginia Adriano had 10, Allick earned nine kills and Jackson had eight. Reilly was also highly offensive earning five kills.

Nebraska had a flow tonight. They moved well on the court and the team seemed in rhythm as they played. This comes from hours of practice and thousands of reps with each other. Allick talked after the match about the time she and Reilly spend in the summer working on being a better duo. She said we were good as we were, but we wanted to take it to another level.

That level was visible tonight as Reilly set Allick in transition behind her on a quick set. That set takes trust, it is sensing each other rather than seeing and knowing. It is beautiful to watch a play when the magic of all that work is realized.

Nebraska hosts Maryland on Saturday September 27th at 3 pm CT in the Devaney Center. You can watch on Nebraska Public Media.