Nebraska 3 vs Penn State 0 – 25-14, 25-11, 25-14
The first 15 points of the first set was competitive and offered some back and forth scoring for each team. Right around 9-7 on the scoreboard, Nebraska pulled away and never looked back. There was dominance from the service line. There was a hitting clinic led by Harper Murray. There was barely a ball to hit the floor on the Nebraska side of the net. Nebraska won every facet of the game and left Penn State with no options.
The stats support the commanding showing by the Huskers. Nebraska hit .385 while holding Penn State to .011. Huskers served seven aces to zero for the Nittany Lions. Nebraska dug 41 balls which is almost twice as many as PSUs 23. The stat that epitomizes the focus of the Nebraska team is the fact that anytime Penn State was serving, Nebraska won the point 88% of the time. This side out percentage is locked in.
In order to side out and get the ball back at such a high rate means the pass is there, the set is well chosen, and the hitter executes a great shot. It doesn’t allow the other team to go on any runs of points. Nebraska aims to reach 70% in any match so this 88% achievement is well celebrated.
One notable, locked in, performance came from junior Harper Murray. Murray has been consistent and high performing all season. Tonight, she had a zip to her that felt like she was raising her level of play to the next level. She hit some back row attacks where she seemed to fly and simultaneously hammer the ball.
The next phase of the season is near. After the match tomorrow night, the NCAA will select the tournament seeds and Nebraska along with 63 other teams will begin the quest to win six matches for a National Championship. Another level of play is appropriate and required.
While the Big Ten has 10-12 excellent teams, there is not one single team, after Nebraska, that can win the championship this year. The teams that will challenge Nebraska live in different conferences and will meet Nebraska head-to-head in the final four and championship match. A next level of play will be needed.
For the immediate future, Coach Dani Busboom Kelly described the challenge that the team faces in playing at a high-level tonight and the need for them to return to the court and play crisply tomorrow against Ohio State. She said that it will be important to give some players that she knows the team will need in the tournament some time on the court tomorrow. We will look for a varied line up tomorrow night.
Tomorrow night is senior night and the last match of the Big Ten Season. Nebraska plays Ohio State at 8 pm in the Devaney Center. You can watch on B1G Network.
