Nebraska Creighton Volleyball Game : LINCOLN, Neb. — In a dramatic and hard-fought battle, No. 5 Nebraska secured a 3-2 victory over No. 9 Creighton on Tuesday night, ending the Bluejays’ perfect start to the season. The match, which was the first time both teams met as Top 10 opponents, saw the Cornhuskers prevail with set scores of 25-19, 25-16, 31-33, 16-25, and 15-10.
Match Recap
The Cornhuskers (6-1) began the match with strong performances in the first two sets, where they used a 6-1 run to build an early lead and finished set one with a score of 25-19. Nebraska’s defense and offensive balance, highlighted by key kills from Andi Jackson, Lindsay Krause, and Harper Murray, gave them a solid advantage.
In set two, Nebraska continued their momentum, overcoming a brief Creighton (5-1) lead and closing out the set 25-16. Despite an impressive effort from Creighton’s Kiara Reinhardt, who recorded three blocks in the set, the Bluejays struggled to match Nebraska’s defensive and offensive prowess.
The third set turned into a marathon, with Creighton edging Nebraska in a thrilling 31-33 finish. Norah Sis, who led all players with 24 kills and 11 digs, was instrumental in this set, along with Ava Martin, who recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 17 digs. The set featured 17 ties and eight lead changes, showcasing the Bluejays’ resilience and ability to respond under pressure.
Creighton carried their momentum into the fourth set, dominating with a score of 16-25. Martin’s five kills and strong defensive play from Maddy Bilinovic, who tallied 19 digs, helped the Bluejays force a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Nebraska reclaimed control, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and never looking back. With a 15-10 victory in the fifth set, the Cornhuskers completed their hard-fought win. Nebraska’s hitting efficiency improved in the final set, with a .444 hitting percentage and 13 kills to close out the match.
Key Performances
- Nebraska: Harper Murray led with 16 kills and 14 digs, while Andi Jackson and Lindsay Krause each added 15 kills. Senior libero Lexi Rodriguez stood out with 21 digs, and Bergen Reilly contributed 57 assists and 13 digs.
- Creighton: Norah Sis delivered a standout performance with a career-high 24 kills and 11 digs. Ava Martin added 17 kills and 17 digs for a double-double. Kiara Reinhardt and Maddy Bilinovic also played significant roles in defense.
Notable Stats
- Nebraska: 72 kills, 81 digs, 11.5 blocks, .234 hitting percentage.
- Creighton: 63 kills, 80 digs, 13 blocks, .209 hitting percentage.
Looking Ahead
Creighton will look to regroup as they head to Louisville for the Cardinal Classic this weekend, where they will face Northern Iowa, Rice, and No. 4 Louisville. Nebraska will continue their season as they prepare for their next match.
This intense, back-and-forth match not only highlighted the elite level of play from both teams but also set the stage for an exciting season ahead. Fans of both programs have much to look forward to as these two powerhouse teams continue their campaigns.
Notes: The match was nationally televised by Big Ten Network. Creighton’s Norah Sis reached 1,300 career kills, and Ava Martin achieved her first double-double of the season. Nebraska’s win extends their 28-match home win streak, the second-longest in the nation.
