Nebraska Volleyball Prepares to Face Kansas in Sweet 16 Showdown
The Nebraska volleyball team, holding an impeccable 32-0 record, is set to host the Kansas Jayhawks in a highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup on Friday night. As the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Cornhuskers are focusing on staying grounded amid their successful season.
Junior outside hitter Harper Murray highlighted the importance of maintaining gratitude and mindfulness. “Because if you look too far into the future, you’re probably going to get a little nervous and feel a little stressed out,” Murray mentioned. She emphasized the significance of “focusing on what we’re doing in the moment and focusing on where our feet are.”
The advantage of playing on home turf is something the team is keenly aware of, Murray added. Junior middle blocker Andi Jackson also shared this sentiment, noting the positive team dynamics. “I think the whole team feeling like we can play free really helps me, because the whole vibe on the court, regardless of who’s in, you can just feel that there’s so much confidence,” Jackson said. “Obviously, if the team is feeling pressure, then you’re going to start to feel pressure for yourself.”
The rigorous practice sessions and thorough preparation contribute significantly to the team’s confidence, according to both Jackson and Murray.
First-year head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, who brings experience from coaching two national championship games at Louisville, acknowledged the inherent pressure of maintaining Nebraska’s high standards. “But I do think this team has a lot of experience with it,” Busboom Kelly stated. “The staff has a lot of experience with it. So it’s nothing new, which I think helps to alleviate some of that.”
Meanwhile, Busboom Kelly’s former team, No. 2 seed Louisville, will contend with No. 3 seed Texas A&M, with their match scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Friday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Cornhuskers will follow with their match against Kansas around 8:30 p.m. CT. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN2.
The victors of the Louisville-Texas A&M and Nebraska-Kansas matches will compete on Sunday to secure a spot in the Final Four. The timing for this matchup is still to be announced.
The Final Four is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in downtown Kansas City, scheduled for December 18 and 21.
