Volleyball Preview: Nebraska vs. Iowa

We are well past the halfway point in the B10 conference season yet Nebraska and Iowa meet for the first time this season. They play Saturday in Iowa City at 7 pm and again just seven days later in Lincoln. In between those matches both teams travel to Michigan for a Wednesday match. NU plays Michigan State in East Lansing and Iowa plays U of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Nebraska is 29-0 all-time against Iowa and is 10-0 all-time in Iowa City. The Huskers beat the Hawkeyes twice last year, though Iowa did take a set off the Huskers for the first time since 1987.

This is a tough season for Iowa with a 9-15 record and only three conference wins. There are some bright spots and reasons for hope in Iowa City, though. Vicki Brown is in her first season as the head coach. She was stand out player for Illinois and has had experience coaching in CA and IL. Coach Brown’s Hawkeyes may be a tough out next season, as she has a trio of juniors leading the team:

-Griere Hughes leads the Hawkeyes with 3.36 kills per set.

-Setter Brie Orr is putting up 10.09 assists per set and 2.49 digs per set for the Hawkeyes.

-Libero Halle Johnston is second in the Big Ten in digs per set at 4.73.

News of note: Ohio State (12-12, 5-7 in conference) upset #4 Wisconsin (16-5, now 12-1 in conference) last night. Wisconsin hadn’t lost against a B10 opponent since last season. It seems to me like a loss that could change the national seeding conversation for the selection committee when they decide the four top seeds.

The NU vs Iowa match will be streamed on the BTN+ app and BTNPlus.com (subscription required). Saturday’s match can be heard on Husker Sports Network radio affiliates, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and AM 590 in Omaha. A live audio stream will be provided at Huskers.com and also on the official Huskers app. John Baylor is in his 26th season doing play-by-play for the Husker volleyball program. Lauren (Cook) West, a former All-America setter for the Huskers, will provide color commentary.