After falling to Texas in the National Championship last year, Nebraska volleyball is right where it wants to be; the Final Four. It’s not going to be easy. The Huskers will have to overcome a ferocious Penn State team that beat them 3-1 on Black Friday last month.
Here are three keys for Nebraska to be one of the final two teams standing:
Get Murray going quick
Sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray has been on fire recently. She had 32 total kills in Nebraska’s wins over Dayton and Wisconsin this past weekend. Murray has been the hot hand as of late, she will need to continue to produce offense to give the Huskers its best shot.
Nebraska has many players who can step up, as senior outside hitter Taylor Landfair did in leading NU with 13 kills against the Badgers. Championship teams have players who can step up, but if Murray is on her game, the Big Red will win definitively.
Back-row defense is paramount
Although Nebraska is strong in nearly every aspect of the game, its strength is its back-row defense. Senior libero Lexi Rodriguez is only nine digs away from breaking the record that Justine Wong-Orantes holds. If Rodriguez can play to her standard, she’ll shatter it.
Freshman defensive specialist Olivia Mauch could be the X-factor in this matchup. She’s been playing solid throughout the postseason and must show her composure. The lights will be bright, she cannot get phased. Everyone else knows what to expect.
The Nittany Lions are third in the country with 14.52 kills per set. Between Rodriguez, Mauch and sophomore Laney Choboy, their performance could decide if the Big Red advances to Sunday.
Don’t let the former Huskers take over
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Caroline Jurevicius is the real deal. Jurecivius transferred from the Huskers after her freshman season. Ever since she hasn’t looked back. In Penn State’s 3-1 win over Nebraska on Black Friday, she led both teams with 18 kills.
Jurvicius isn’t the only one. Junior middle blocker Maggie Mendelson also transferred after last year. Mendelson might not be as flashy as Jurvicius, but both of them will have extra motivation to knock off their former team. If they get hot, the Huskers could be in trouble.
Prediction
I foresee head coach John Cook having these gals ready to play. The Nittany Lions are tough, this will be the toughest challenge the Huskers have faced all year, but this Nebraska volleyball team has depth built for these type of moments.
Cook is as good of a coach as it gets. The adjustments from the previous loss have been made. Anticipate NU coming out aggressive from the get-go. The Huskers will be one of the final two teams standing after winning in five sets.
