In a match that was “Gritty over Pretty” at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, Nebraska Volleyball picked up their 25th win of the year with a four set win over #16 Minnesota (25-12, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19).
The first set was all Huskers, as Minnesota had 8 errors to hit .029 in the first. The Huskers went on a dominating roll after Minnesota came within 3 points on a Julia Hanson kill.The Huskers would go on a 7-2 run to double their lead on Minnesota, followed up with 7-0 run on Harper Murray’s serve to lead up to set point. Taylor Landfair, playing against her former team, had 5 kills in the set.
Minnesota felt like a sleeping giant, going blow for blow with the Huskers in the second set. After Nebraska dominated the first set, Minnesota tied the set six times, eventually taking the 25-22 win. Minnesota took a 4-0 rally when they were down 6-8 to take a 10-8 lead, and later used another 4-0 run to push out to a 22-17 lead. On set point, Nebraska would extend set point with a 3-0 rally before another Hanson kill to end the set.
Minnesota started off the third set with an ace, but the Huskers would trade off points until a 3-0 rally at a 4-4 tie with kills from Landfair, Murray, and Andi Jackson. The Huskers were in the lead the rest of the way, but the Golden Gophers would not allow for any seperation, only allowing the Huskers would lead by 4.
Murray dominated the fourth set, one in which the Huskers took control early, leading 13-4 at one point, and later in the match, 20-11. Murray had 5 kills and hit .625 in the set.
Murray led the Huskers with 13 kills, while Bergen Reilly had 20 digs. Reilly and Olivia Mauch both had a service ace in the match. As a team, Nebraska hit .199, well below their .289 average this season. The Huskers held Minnesota to .130 hitting, with Julia Hanson leading the Gophers with 20 kills.
Nebraska now takes on Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosiers are 12-13 (5-10 B1G) and lost in straight sets to Iowa tonight.
