In a matchup laced with last year's playoff bitterness, the top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team delivered a resounding statement Friday night, sweeping Penn State 3-0 in University Park. The Huskers, now 13-0 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, showed no mercy against the 16th-ranked Nittany Lions, who slipped to 7-6 and 1-2 in conference. It was revenge served cold—after Penn State's Final Four upset over Nebraska in 2024, this victory felt like a turning point under new head coach Dani Busboom-Kelly.
Busboom-Kelly, stepping into the shoes of legendary John Cook this season, has her squad firing on all cylinders. The Huskers' offense overwhelmed Penn State's defense early, with Harper Murray and Lexi Rodriguez combining for key kills that set the tone. Indeed, Nebraska's serving pressure forced errors from the Nittany Lions' roster, led by veterans like Gillian Grimes but lacking the depth to counter the visitors' intensity. The sets went 25-18, 25-20, 25-19—straightforward, almost clinical, though Penn State hung tough in the middle frame.
Looking ahead, Nebraska's 2025 schedule remains packed with challenges. They opened the season August 9 against Kentucky and wrap up November 29 at the Big Ten tournament, featuring 19 home dates at Devaney Center. Upcoming games include a home tilt against Rutgers this weekend, then road trips to face Michigan and Ohio State. The Huskers' undefeated streak, now at 13, underscores their title aspirations, but Big Ten rivals won't make it easy. Penn State's calendar, meanwhile, has them hosting Maryland next before a tougher stretch against Wisconsin and Purdue.
However, it's not all smooth sailing for Nebraska. Busboom-Kelly has tinkered with lineups amid minor injuries, and the pressure of replacing Cook's dynasty looms large. Still, with stars like Merritt Beason anchoring the net, the team looks primed. Moreover, this sweep highlights how quickly they've adapted—perhaps too well for comfort in a league full of upsets.
As the season heats up, one wonders if Nebraska can sustain this momentum through November's grind.