The Nebraska Cornhuskers maintained their unbeaten season in a thrilling match against the UCLA Bruins on October 27, 2023. Despite dropping a set for the first time in 49 matches, Nebraska secured a 3-1 victory with set scores of 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, and 25-15. The match took place at Pauley Pavilion, where a record crowd of 10,498 fans witnessed the action.
Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly expressed satisfaction with how her team responded to adversity. In a post-match radio interview, she noted, “It was good for us to get tested, and then I thought we delivered. In some big moments, certain players that knew they were going to get the ball had to get the kill. It was great to see them do that under pressure.”
The Cornhuskers, now holding a record of 25-0 overall and 15-0 in conference play, experienced their first setback in set victories since September 16, when they faced Creighton. Although the team’s streak of 15 consecutive matches with a hitting percentage above .300 ended, Nebraska finished the match with a commendable hitting percentage of .299, with Bergen Reilly leading the offense with 34 assists.
UCLA, now 14-11 overall and 8-7 in conference, put up a significant challenge, especially in the third set. The Bruins rallied from a 6-1 deficit to take the lead at 15-13, capitalizing on Nebraska’s struggles during the set, where the Cornhuskers hit just .190. Maggie Li of UCLA emerged as a key player with 20 kills, while teammates Cheridyn Leverette and Marianna Singletary contributed 17 and 12 kills, respectively.
Nebraska’s struggles were evident early in the match, particularly in the first set, where they recorded only two kills in the first 16 rallies. Yet, the Huskers managed to surge ahead, thanks in part to a five-point run led by Rebekah Allick, who delivered four kills and a block. The Cornhuskers secured the first set 25-17, despite facing difficulties from the Bruins, who committed several hitting errors.
The second set showcased further drama, with UCLA initially taking a 10-5 lead. Nebraska then fought back, ultimately winning the set 25-23, extending their set streak to an impressive 48 matches. The Huskers’ resilience shone through as they rallied from behind, with Harper Murray delivering crucial points to seal the set.
In the fourth set, Nebraska regained control, racing to an 11-5 lead, largely due to Andi Jackson, who recorded seven kills in the set. The match concluded on a high note for the Cornhuskers, as they won the final set decisively. “We ended on a super high note, and kind of the way we’ve been playing all year,” Busboom Kelly remarked.
Despite the victory, Coach Busboom Kelly acknowledged that the Huskers were outperformed defensively for the first time this season, with UCLA leading in digs 59-48. “We’re getting outworked defensively, which is rare for us,” she said.
Nebraska’s next challenge comes against the No. 17 ranked USC Trojans on Sunday at noon CST. Coach Busboom Kelly recognizes the challenge ahead, stating, “USC is very, very good. They are definitely a team that’s playing great right now and is young, but they serve really tough. It’s going to be quite the battle on Sunday.”
As the Cornhuskers continue their season, the lessons learned from this match may prove invaluable as they aim to maintain their perfect record.
