Kenny Larabee, KLIN
Final Four Bound: No. 1 Nebraska Beats Arkansas in Elite Eight
Nebraska volleyball is leaving the Bob Devaney Sports Center for 2023 perfect at home and with a ticket punched to Tampa.
The No. 1 Huskers got an Elite Eight win Saturday night over Arkansas: 26-24, 25-14, 21-25, 25-23. NU improved to 32-1 on the season and closed the home chapter for the year with a perfect 21-0 record.
But Saturday was not without its challenges for Big Red. Arkansas controlled the majority of the first set and led 21-16. Nebraska then put together an 8-2 run before finishing off the set.
The Huskers took the second in dominating fashion before dropping the third, their first lost set of the NCAA Tournament.
More dramatics ensued in the fourth set, with both teams winning challenges late. Ultimately, the 10th Razorback service error of the night ended the match in favor of the home team.
Nebraska hit .194 for the match. Arkansas managed .100 and was stifled by 17 Husker blocks.
Merritt Beason led the NU attack with 19 kills on .239 hitting. Harper Murray was next with 15 kills. Bergen Reilly dished out 40 assists and was one of five Huskers to notch double-digit digs.
Nebraska will face Pittsburgh in Tampa on Thursday. The Panthers topped Louisville in five sets to win their regional.
Lincoln Regional All-Tournament Team
- Bianca Bertolino, Georgia Tech
- Azhani Tealer, Kentucky
- Maggie Cartwright, Arkansas
- Jillian Gillen, Arkansas
- Bergen Reilly, Nebraska
- Lexi Rodriguez, Nebraska
- Merritt Beason, Nebraska (Most Outstanding Player)