It was a record-setting night at the Final Four in Louisville, Kentucky, where Nebraska faced off against Penn State, attracting an impressive crowd of about 21,726 for a semifinal match. The on-court action matched the excitement of the atmosphere.
The match ended in a dramatic five-set showdown, showcasing the clash of two storied programs. Unfortunately for Nebraska, the outcome was not in their favor.
“It was a fantastic match by both teams,” head coach John Cook remarked after the game. “It’s a shame someone had to lose.”
Once again, Nebraska’s quest for a national championship ended in disappointment. After taking a 2-0 lead, it appeared that the Huskers might finally return to the title game they had long awaited. However, the Nittany Lions staged a remarkable comeback, securing a reverse sweep to advance to the championship match against Louisville on Sunday.
This loss marks Nebraska’s second defeat against Penn State this season, and this time, there won’t be an opportunity for revenge.
Signs of trouble appeared for Nebraska early on, but a shift in momentum suggested they might find a way to win. Midway through the first set, they fell behind 16-14 due to a surge from the Nittany Lions.
However, the Huskers rallied, thanks in large part to sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson, who contributed three of Nebraska’s last four kills in the first set.
Jackson’s performance was so powerful that her kills reverberated through the KFC Yum! Center. She finished with a career-high 19 kills on 27 attacks, but it still wasn’t enough to secure the victory. The Nittany Lions adjusted defensively late in the match, and Jackson noticed the difference.
“They’re an excellent defensive team, and they showed that tonight,” Jackson said after the match. “They made great adjustments to their block and picked up many of our attacks, which was a major factor for them.”
The Huskers managed to win the second set mainly due to their defensive prowess, recording seven blocks and limiting Penn State to a .098 hitting percentage.
With a 2-0 cushion, things looked promising for Nebraska. However, complications arose in the fourth set.
“I thought we had them finished in Game 4, but they managed to win that game,” Cook said afterward. “We hit a few balls to their libero, and they transitioned well. They got some aces, and we missed some crucial plays. Just a couple of plays separated us from finishing it.”
In the fourth set, Penn State rallied from a 22-16 deficit with a 6-1 run, coming back from match point twice to seize victory and carry all the momentum into the decisive set. The Huskers struggled defensively and allowed the Nittany Lions to score nine kills on 17 attacks in the final set.
Despite the disappointment of Thursday’s loss, the positives of yet another remarkable season should not be overlooked.
Senior libero Lexi Rodriguez recorded 11 digs on the night, becoming the all-time digs leader at Nebraska. This achievement stood out on a day that was supposed to celebrate, rather than bid farewell to, the seniors.
“I don’t want them to feel down about what they’ve accomplished,” Jackson said after the match. “They’ve done incredible things for our program and women’s volleyball as a whole, and that applies to all our seniors. It’s a true honor to play alongside them.”
Rodriguez and fellow senior outside hitter Merritt Beason have contributed to memorable moments, including setting the world attendance record during volleyball day last August.
“I told them in the locker room that this senior class has achieved remarkable things,” Cook said. “We broke the world attendance record and have the longest sellout streak. This team played at the highest statistical level of any I’ve ever coached.”
While it’s a tough farewell for the seniors, the team retains players who have reached the Final Four in consecutive years. Nebraska’s standout performers, Jackson and sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray, stepped up when needed most on Thursday.
They still have two years of eligibility left and have yet to realize their full potential.
For now, the Huskers must reflect on another season’s end and regroup in January. Before moving forward, they will grapple with the grief of loss and farewell.
“These girls are incredibly special, not just because of their volleyball skills, but because of who they are as individuals,” Beason said after the match.
“That’s irreplaceable, and it’s the memories and the little moments we shared in the locker room that we’ll cherish the most.”
Leave a Reply