Here at Student Union, we take care of all your coverage needs for men’s basketball, football, hockey, and baseball. We don’t get a lot of content out on the women’s side, until now. Having gotten media credentials for Northwestern Volleyball this season, I’ll be bringing you Big Ten Volleyball coverage for all of the conference season, along with other content from the rest of the power 5.
Nebraska entered the contest 9-1 and ranked third in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Cornhuskers are off to a hot start on the season. A traditional national powerhouse, the Huskers are looking to get back to the Final Four this season after losing the National Championship to Stanford a season ago. The Huskers lone loss on the season also came at the hands of the Cardinal.
The Wildcats are a team who’s easy to look past when you’re a team of Nebraska’s caliber. Northwestern is nothing to laugh at. The Wildcats currently sit at 9-4 and have looked good overall through the early part of their schedule. Led by outside hitter, Nia Robinson, the Wildcats are fully capable of putting the Big Red on upset alert.
Set One
The ‘Cats got off to a hot start in the first going up 4-0 early with an impressive hitting display. The hot streak continued as the holes in the Cornhusker defense seemed to grow with every point. At the first timeout, the ‘Cats held an 8-2 lead. Going back and forth for most of the set, the ‘Cats held a 17-11 lead midway through the set. The Huskers struggled to keep their deficit under 6 until a couple of Northwestern mistakes cut their lead to four. By the second timeout, the Wildcat lead was 17-14. The Wildcat timeout didn’t slow down the Huskers one bit.
While still holding an 18-17 lead, the ‘Cats were forced to call their second timeout of the set. The Huskers rolled through the third timeout and took their first lead of the set. The ‘Cats weren’t down yet, Nia Robinson and Temi Thomas-Ailara, cut the Husker lead to 23-21 and forced another timeout. Nebraska’s, Lexi Sun, ended the set with a block of Alana Walker to win 25-21.
Set Two
The second set started with both teams continuing to trade blows. Neither team was able to reach more than a three-point advantage. After a 4-0 run, Northwestern was forced to take a timeout with Nebraska leading 9-8. A 6-2 Cornhusker run lead to another Northwestern timeout. The Wildcats struggled mightily on defense, not being able to stop Nebraska’s attack. Back to back kills by Alana Walker lead to a Cornhusker timeout. Huskers lead 18-14. Despite the ‘Cats best efforts, the Cornhuskers ended the second set on a 7-3 run to win 25-17.
Heading into the intermission, the Cornhuskers held a 2-0 lead.
Set Three
The start of the third set was no different than the second. Both teams traded blows early and although Nebraska seemed to be in control, the Cats held a 7-6 lead after a video review went their way. The set continued to be a back and forth battle going into the second timeout. Alana Walker was doing everything she could to keep the ‘Cats alive, but the Huskers weren’t budging. They lead 11-9. A quick 3-0 run for the ‘Cats forced Coach, John Cook, to call a Nebraska timeout. Northwestern lead 12-11.
The Huskers are the #3 team in the country for a reason and they weren’t going to go away quietly, a 3-1 run put them up 15-12 and forced a Northwestern timeout. Cats have nine lives though and they’re not going to die that easily. A 4-1 Wildcat run forced a Husker timeout. The set was tied 16 all. The ‘Cats continued to rally late in the third. Thomas-Ailara was the key contributor in a run that saw the Northwestern take a 22-20 lead. The ‘Cats forced the Huskers to match point four times, but could never get the final blow. The Huskers showed their strength and took the set 30-28.
Takeaways
The ‘Cats showed a lot of promise upfront. Nia Robinson, Alana Walker, and Temi Thomas-Ailara looked really good and if they continue to play well the Wildcats have a lot to look forward to. However, there were a lot of self-inflicted wounds that aren’t acceptable for a team that’s trying to prove themselves in a loaded conference like the Big Ten.
Nebraska showed why they are the #3 team in the nation tonight. Every time Northwestern rallied, they were able to shut it down quickly. Coming back from match point four times in the third set showed a lot of toughness and that’s the kind of grit they need to succeed in the Big Ten.
The Wildcats will be back in action October 4th at Purdue and the Cornhuskers will be back October 2nd at Rutgers.