LINCOLN, Neb. – The No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team continued its dominant start to the season with a resounding sweep of Grand Canyon University (GCU) on Saturday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers, now 8-0, showcased their depth and talent in front of a roaring crowd of 8,502 fans, defeating the Lopes 25-12, 25-23, 25-18.
Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly opted for a significant shake-up of the starting lineup, resting several veteran All-Americans. This bold move provided opportunities for freshmen Campbell Flynn, Manaia Ogbechie, Skyler Pierce, and Teraya Sigler to step into the spotlight, and they certainly delivered.
Freshmen Step Up
Teraya Sigler led the Huskers with a career-high 14 kills and added 11 digs for a double-double performance. Manaia Ogbechie also had a career night, recording 10 kills on an impressive .529 hitting percentage, along with three blocks. Campbell Flynn orchestrated the offense with 37 assists, adding nine digs and five kills of her own.
“I don’t want to come in and feel like this is only work,” Busboom Kelly said. “It means a lot to a lot of people, but this is a game at the end of the day.”
Match Highlights
Nebraska's offense was firing on all cylinders, hitting .364 as a team, while limiting GCU to a .105 hitting percentage. The Huskers nearly doubled up the Lopes in kills, 50-26.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
- Set 1: The Huskers jumped out to an early lead, hitting .533 and dominating the set.
- Set 2: GCU put up a tougher fight, but Nebraska rallied behind strong performances from Sigler and Allick to take the set.
- Set 3: Nebraska closed out the match, showcasing their depth and resilience.
Looking Ahead
The Huskers' impressive start to the season has solidified their position as the No. 1 team in the nation. With a blend of experienced veterans and talented newcomers, Nebraska looks poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Next up, the team will face [Insert Next Opponent Here] at [Location] on [Date].