SMU Nebraska Volleyball: SMU volleyball made history with a shocking upset over the No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers, sweeping them 25-23, 25-21, 25-18. The match, held at Moody Coliseum, saw an electric crowd of 6,773 fans, marking the first time SMU charged for tickets to a volleyball game.
Nebraska, known as a powerhouse in college volleyball, was expected to win and possibly take over the top spot in the national rankings. However, SMU had other plans. Led by standout players Naya Shime and Maya Tabron, who each recorded nine kills, the Mustangs played with confidence and determination. Nnedi Okammor also made a significant impact at the net, contributing nine blocks to stifle Nebraska’s offense.
The victory is a milestone for SMU’s volleyball program, which has not seen such a significant win in its history. SMU coach Sam Erger expressed his disbelief and excitement after the match, stating, “I feel like I’m in a dream. I knew in my heart that we could compete… I’m just really excited for our girls.”
The match was intense from the start, with both teams battling fiercely in the first set. Nebraska looked poised to take the set with a 21-16 lead, but SMU responded with a remarkable 9-2 run to clinch it 25-23. This momentum carried over into the next two sets, where SMU maintained control and never let Nebraska regain their footing.
Nebraska struggled throughout the match, committing 11 service errors and managing only one ace. The high-pressure atmosphere at Moody Coliseum clearly affected the Huskers, who were unable to recover after losing the first set. SMU’s fans, energized by the opportunity to witness their team play one of the top programs in the country, created an environment that SMU coach Sam Erger described as “Moody Magic.”
Shime, one of SMU’s key players, praised the crowd’s energy, saying, “It made the playing environment a level up and it was amazing and fun. I loved it.” The players fed off the crowd’s energy, using it to fuel their performance and secure the upset.
This win is especially significant as SMU embarks on its first season in the ACC, a major step up for the program. The victory over Nebraska signals that SMU is ready to compete at a higher level and challenge some of the best teams in the nation.
SMU’s coach, Sam Erger, emphasized the importance of this win for the program, saying, “We wanted to take advantage of that and show them what it’s all about and how fun it can be, and I think we did that.” The win over Nebraska not only boosts SMU’s confidence but also puts them on the national radar as a team to watch this season.
As SMU continues its season, this victory will serve as a cornerstone moment for the program. The Mustangs have shown that they can compete with the best, and their historic win over Nebraska is a clear sign of more to come.
