Nebraska Volleyball Set to Open Big Ten Play, Eyes Third Straight Conference Title

Strategic Insights -

The undefeated No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team is primed to take on the Big Ten, a conference they have dominated in recent seasons, including a 38-2 record in Big Ten Conference games over the past two years. As they prepare to face off against some of the nation's best teams, the Huskers have already shown their strength in non-conference play, conquering No. 3 Pitt, No. 6 Stanford, No. 7 Kentucky, and No. 18 Creighton, among others. With a 10-0 record, they enter the conference slate ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Big Ten is considered the strongest conference in the country, according to Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly.
  • The Huskers have gone 38-2 in Big Ten Conference games over the past two seasons, capturing two conference titles.
  • Nebraska has faced some of the nation's best teams in non-conference play, including No. 3 Pitt, No. 6 Stanford, No. 7 Kentucky, and No. 18 Creighton.
  • The team will face off against Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan, Maryland, and Minnesota, among others, in the Big Ten conference schedule.
  • Nebraska swept Wisconsin in all three matches last season, including in the NCAA quarterfinals.
  • Penn State, who accounted for two of Nebraska's three losses last season, has struggled this year with four losses at this point in the season.
  • Purdue enters the Big Ten schedule with a 9-1 record, having only fallen to No. 10 SMU.
  • Nebraska has dominated the Big Ten in recent seasons, and junior outside hitter Harper Murray says that the team is focused on winning a third straight conference title.

Statistics:

  • Nebraska's non-conference record: 10-0
  • Big Ten Conference games won: 38-2 over the past two seasons
  • Number of teams the Huskers have faced in non-conference play: 4 top-10 teams (No. 3 Pitt, No. 6 Stanford, No. 7 Kentucky, and No. 18 Creighton)
  • Nebraska's ranking in the nation: No. 1
  • Wisconsin's ranking in the nation: No. 7
  • Purdue's record at the start of Big Ten play: 9-1
  • Number of Big Ten teams ranked in the top 25: 6 (Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Michigan)
  • Time and date of Nebraska's first Big Ten game: Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Lincoln at the Bob Devaney Sports Center

Sources:

  • "I just think from top to bottom, (the Big Ten is) obviously the strongest conference in the country," Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly said at Big Ten media days in Chicago on July 28.
  • "You might get by one opponent one night, but then you have another great opponent the next night."
  • Nebraska Daily Nebraskan - "Nebraska Volleyball vs. Utah" photos by Izzy Lewis, sports@dailynebraskan.com
  • AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) poll, Sept. 14