The Battle of the Big Reds returns to Lincoln

No. 5 Nebraska volleyball faces off against No. 2 Stanford this Wednesday.

No. 5 Nebraska volleyball faces off against No. 2 Stanford this Wednesday. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup, as it always is when these two meet. When there are a combined 14 national titles and countless Final Four appearances between the two programs . . . well, it makes sense why.

As for the 2024 meeting, the stakes are high once again. Are we surprised?

Nebraska (8-1) comes into the match on a hot streak, having most recently swept No. 14 Arizona State. The Huskers dominated the match in straight sets (25-20, 26-24, 25-19), showcasing a balanced offense and strong defense in the win. The victory came on the heels of Nebraska’s five-set thriller over No. 9 Creighton.

Key performers in the Arizona State sweep included Merritt Beason, who led the attack with 15 kills, while Harper Murray and Andi Jackson added another 10 kills each. Setter Bergen Reilly dished out 41 assists as the Huskers hit an impressive .319 as a team. Nebraska’s defense, led by Lexi Rodriguez, held Arizona State to a .213 hitting percentage.

Stanford (8-0) remains unbeaten, coming off an impressive sweep of No. 6 Texas (25-22, 25-22, 25-23). Without former standout Kendall Kipp, Stanford’s attack is now spearheaded by players like Elia Rubin and setter Kami Miner, who dished out 35 assists in the win over Texas. Stanford’s offensive depth, combined with their defensive strength, makes it one of the most balanced teams in the country.