Nebraska Volleyball Shocks No. 1 Wisconsin in Epic Match
Madison, Wisconsin – Last Saturday’s volleyball match between Nebraska and Wisconsin was one for the books. Nebraska pulled off a stunning comeback, winning the final two sets to defeat the previously undefeated and No. 1 ranked Wisconsin team in five sets. The final score was 15-13 in the fifth set.
During a news conference on Monday, Wisconsin’s coach Kelly Sheffield had nothing but praise for Nebraska’s team and the electric atmosphere at the Devaney Sports Center, which saw a record-breaking crowd of 9,198 fans.
Sheffield acknowledged the exceptional level of play on both sides, stating, “I think every player on the court went through some struggles, and had huge, big-time moments. It was a big-time slugfest, back and forth.” Despite the loss, Sheffield recognized the skill and strength of Nebraska’s team.
The match started strong for Nebraska, but Wisconsin dominated the second set with 12 blocks, winning it 25-17. Sheffield was impressed with how the Huskers were able to recover from Wisconsin’s strong performance. He praised their mental toughness and ability to calm themselves down after facing numerous hitting errors.
In the close fifth set, Wisconsin had costly errors with two serving errors and two net violations, including one on match point. Sheffield expressed frustration at these errors but also recognized the team’s success blocking earlier in the match. He acknowledged that aggressive blocking and fatigue may have played a role in the mistakes.
Nebraska’s offense was outstanding in the final set, with 13 kills and a .545 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Harper Murray, who had struggled throughout the match, came alive in the fifth set with seven kills on nine attempts.
Sheffield also credited Wisconsin’s defense, noting that it often goes underappreciated due to the team’s offensive firepower. He admitted that their serving was not up to par but recognized the quality of Nebraska’s players in the serve-receive.
Despite the loss, Sheffield remains optimistic about Wisconsin’s chances in the Big Ten championship. He emphasized that this match does not define the team and that they still control their own destiny.
The match between Nebraska and Wisconsin showcased the outstanding teams and the incredible fan support for college volleyball. Sheffield was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the college students who lined up hours before the match.
Wisconsin will have another chance to draw in new viewers when they play a televised match against Minnesota on FOX this Sunday. Sheffield believes it is an exciting time for the sport, describing it as an “earthquake” that’s happening.
The rematch between Nebraska and Wisconsin is scheduled for later in the season in Madison, giving Wisconsin a chance to improve and potentially even the score.