*****NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME VOLLEYBALL THREAD - TEXAS vs. NEBRASKA*****

[HornSports Staff]

On their quest for back-to-back titles, #5 Texas Volleyball (27-4) has plowed through #2 Stanford and #3 Wisconsin – each in 3-1 matches – during this year’s NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament. The defending champion Longhorns have proven despite their seed and overall rank they are well-prepared to win the National Championship versus #1 Nebraska (33-1) on Sunday.

While the number one-seeded Cornhuskers remained undefeated until November 24th with a loss to Wisconsin, their offense and defense rankings are similar to Texas’. Both programs have demonstrated they can win tough matches over top programs and earned their conferences’ title this season. Additionally, their teams are comprised of seasoned players and rising stars who have been recognized for their successful contributions.

For Nebraska, junior libero Lexi Rodriguez was, for the second time, named Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year and freshman Bergen Reilly the conference’s setter of the year. Cornhusker outside hitter Harper Murray was chosen as freshman of the year and John Cook earned coach of the year. Finally, Merritt Beason (OPP) was named the AVCA Region Player of the Year – Nebraska’s team leader in kills per set (3.83).

Along with Big 12 Player of the Year honors for averaging 4.78 kills per set, Texas’ Madisen Skinner also earned AVCA Southwest Region Player of the Year. Longhorn setter Ella Swindle was named the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year. Leading the Longhorn’s defense at the net, middle blocker Asjia O’Neal holds the program record at The University of Texas with 598 career blocks and is ranked #2 in the country.

Sunday will be Nebraska’s 11th appearance in a NCAA Final and Texas’ 10th. The Cornhuskers have won the NCAA title five times to Texas’ three. The match marks the third time Texas and Nebraska have played each other in the NCAA National Championship, with 1995 and 2015 wins to Nebraska. Texas’ last loss in the NCAA Tournament was to Nebraska in the 2021 Austin Regional Final. Since, the Longhorns have won 11 consecutive tournament matches and hold an overall 4-3 record in NCAA Tournament play over the Cornhuskers.

GAME IS TELEVISED ON ABC

 

[82Horn]

Coach Elliot got a red card in first set, but Texas overcomes it. 25~22 Texas wins Set 1

 

[HornSports Staff]

Skinner is on fire. If she continues to play like this Texas will be bringing home some new hardware.

 

[longhorndon]

Back to Back!!!!!

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Light the tower!!!

 

[Earl Nobis Jefferson]

Just blew them out in set 2 & 3. Their service pressure was awesome

 

[Huskie1]

What a butt kicking of a great team!!! The advantage I thought Texas had vs Nebraska was experience. Nebraska is a young team and Texas put the pedal to the metal and never let up. They could never get it going.
Congratulations on a great achievement!! Back to back!!

 

[Sunkist]

 

[63_Texas_1]

 

[82Horn]

Awesome !

 

[tejasrulz]

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Drove by the tower about an hour ago, love seeing the #1 lite up!

Gentlemen, that was an arse kicking deluxe the Horns laid on Nebraska! 25-14 & 25-11 in volleyball is lopsided! Before today Texas was 0-2 vs the Corn in national championship games, so daym happy we finally beat them in one! And beat them we did!

 

[Basis Points]

Excellent!!! True excellence today. happy for the ladies and to do it against Nebraska who has beat us in two prior was awesome. their Serving was amazing the last two games

 

[Hiwood]

 

[TXFF]

My brother is a Nebraska VB fan, and he was confident they would win it all. He didn't have much to say after the epic beat down Texas delivered today.

Congrats to the team. That was a dominant performance and for the Natty against the #1 team nonetheless.

 

[tejasrulz]

My brother is a Nebraska VB fan, and he was confident they would win it all. He didn't have much to say after the epic beat down Texas delivered today.

Congrats to the team. That was a dominant performance and for the Natty against the #1 team nonetheless.

Your brother had good reason as Nebraska was the heavy favorite to win it all. I have a friend who is a Cornhusker and if they would have won, I'm sure I would have heard from her by now. I won't say a thing because I let the ladies say it for me.

 

[TB14]

Coach Elliott, Coach Reese, and Coach Flo’s teams always seem to peak at the right time. A true sign of development and great coaching.

 

[hookemhorb]

I was switching between the Cowboys and this game. What a dominating victory for an underdog.
Back to back national titles. Congrats ladies.

 

[tejasrulz]

I was switching between the Cowboys and this game. What a dominating victory for an underdog.
Back to back national titles. Congrats ladies.

Switching?