Scott Bruhn, Nebraska Athletic Communications
Nebraska Earns Title Bid With Semifinal Win
The No. 10-seed Nebraska volleyball team is on the precipice of history.
After dropping the first set 25-16 Thursday night, the Huskers ran off the next three 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 to upset No. 3-seed Pitt in the NCAA semifinals.
"I thought Pittsburgh came out and just was unbelievable the first game," Nebraska coach John Cook said. "So I was a little worried that it could be a fast night. But our team hung in there.
"And I thought as the match went on, we just got stronger
and stronger."
The Huskers hit just .167 with nine kills in the first set, but had at least 13 kills in each of the final three, including a blitz in the second with a .440 hitting percentage. Nebraska hit .239 for the match.
On the other side of the net, the Panthers hit .483 in the first but followed that up with .161, .081, and .250.
"I feel Pitt has a good offense when they're in system and it's really fast and it's hard to stop," senior setter Nicklin Hames said. "I thought we started dumping our servers a little more, getting them out of system, and then we could kind of know where the ball was going, whereas when they were in system they were setting those middles and it's really hard to stop that type of offense."
Hames earned her 23rd double-double of the season with 45 assists and 13 digs.
Madi Kubik had a big night, leading both teams with 13 kills and serving up a career-high-tying three aces. Kubik added seven digs and two blocks.
Kayla Caffey also hit double-digit kills with her 10 on the night. Lindsay Krause and Lauren Stivrins each had nine kills, with Stivrins hitting .529.
The victory earns Nebraska a championship berth against Big Ten rival Wisconsin.
"This team that just competed tonight is completely different to the team that played (Wisconsin) a couple of weeks ago and light years different to the one that played them earlier on in the season," Stivrins said. "And, so, I think we're more prepared and more ready than we've ever been. And we're definitely excited for the challenge. And we're ready to step up."
Nebraska and Wisconsin last met in an NCAA Final in 2000, a five-set win for the Huskers. The is the 10th Final for NU in program history, and fourth in the past seven seasons.
Saturday's championship match is set for first serve at 6:30 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game on ESPN2 (pregame show begins at 6:15) or at a free viewing party at Pinnacle Bank Arena.