Nebraska Creighton Volleyball Game : In a match that lived up to the hype, the #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-1) narrowly defeated the #9 Creighton Bluejays (5-1) in a five-set epic on Tuesday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The final scoreline read 25-19, 25-16, 31-33, 16-25, 15-10, as Nebraska preserved its perfect record against Creighton, now standing at 23-0 in their all-time series.
Match Recap: A Five-Set Classic
Nebraska came out strong, winning the first two sets with relative ease, showcasing their offensive power and defensive prowess. However, the Bluejays proved their resilience in a gripping third set, edging out the Huskers 33-31 in a marathon that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Creighton took advantage of the momentum from their third-set triumph to dominate the fourth set, hitting at a .306 clip and holding Nebraska to a negative hitting percentage. This set saw the Bluejays leveling the match and setting up a decisive fifth set.
In the crucial fifth set, Nebraska regrouped and started with a crucial 3-0 lead. Despite a fierce battle from Creighton, the Huskers managed to secure the set 15-10, thanks to strong performances from key players. Nebraska’s Harper Murray delivered a match-point kill, finishing with 16 kills, four blocks, and 14 digs, while Lindsay Krause added 15 kills and five blocks.
Creighton’s Norah Sis was exceptional, contributing 24 kills and 11 digs, and Ava Martin added 17 kills. However, it was not enough to overcome Nebraska’s balanced attack and strategic play.
Key Moments and Performances
- Third Set Drama: The third set was a highlight of the match, with both teams exchanging points in a thrilling back-and-forth. Sis’s 11 kills in this set helped Creighton stave off Nebraska’s attempts to complete the sweep.
- Fourth Set Dominance: Creighton’s dominance in the fourth set was marked by their impressive hitting efficiency and defensive efforts, which forced a deciding fifth set.
- Nebraska’s Strong Finish: The Huskers’ ability to recover from a challenging fourth set and close out the match in the fifth set was a testament to their resilience and skill. Middle blocker Andi Jackson had a standout performance with 15 kills and eight blocks, while libero Lexi Rodriguez contributed 21 digs.
Coaching Insights
Nebraska coach John Cook praised his team’s ability to bounce back after losing momentum in the third and fourth sets. “We had four swings to win it and couldn’t put it away,” Cook said. “So that takes a lot of momentum away. I just told them, ‘Let’s regroup; it’s game five, you’re at home; let’s go.’”
Creighton coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth acknowledged the missed opportunity but remained focused on the positives. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t seize that opportunity tonight,” she said. “What we had at the end of set three is what we needed to bring at the start of set five.”
Spectator Experience
The match drew a crowd of 8,924, marking it as the third-largest attendance for a volleyball match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The passionate fans were treated to a high-quality contest that showcased the best of collegiate volleyball.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Nebraska continues to demonstrate their prowess and maintains their flawless record against Creighton. For the Bluejays, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to learn from this narrow defeat and build on their strong start to the season.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as both teams continue their seasons, with fans eagerly anticipating their next encounters.
