Nebraska Volleyball vs Northwestern Game POSTPONED

The home volleyball matches for Friday and Saturday are postponed!!

Here is what we were looking forward to...

Northwestern beat Rutgers twice last weekend at home. Rutgers was the 14th seeded team in the preseason poll. Northwestern was 10th.

Nebraska was successful against a much improved Indiana squad last weekend. They won decisively in three sets on Friday and Saturday. Coach Cook talked about wanting to get more players into matches as he knows there are lots players on the team that can help out.

This could also be necessary in a season with COVID protocols and the back to back playing schedule. Coach feels that playing back to back nights against the same team requires teams to make adjustments. Teams can make adjustments simply by taking different shots or switching the way a serve receive pattern looks. Adjustments can also happen with new players in the line up. Options are key!!

Nebraska has options. Riley Zuhn talked about practicing all week before the Indiana matches. She prepared as if she was going to start but only knew she was starting minutes before the match started.

Prepare as if you are starting.

That is a super practice plan. If every player walked into practice with that mindset everyday, you are likely to have a productive and competitive practice session.

Northwestern is led by dynamic outside hitter Temi Thomas Ailara. She was named the freshmen of the week for the Big Ten four times last year. The 6’2’’ sophomore led the team and was second in the Big Ten with 3.95 kills per set. She is also a dangerous server with 30 aces last year. Nebraska will look to have our best block against her.

This may mean blocking subs when Nicklin Hames is front row especially if the Huskers are stuck in one rotation for three or more points.

Northwestern’s second outside hitter is talented as well. 6’2’’ redshirt sophomore Abryanna Cannon had 14 kills against Rutgers last weekend. We’ll see returning setter Kiara McNulty, a 5’10’’ junior as well as Alana Walker a 6’3’’ senior MB. Walker is a big block and has three years playing experience for the Cats.

Tonight’s match begins at 6 p.m. CST and will be televised locally on NET and streamed at BTNPlus.com (subscription). Husker Sports Network will broadcast all the Husker action on HSN radio affiliates, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and AM 590 in Omaha. A live audio stream will be provided at Huskers.com and the Huskers app. Per Big Ten policy, tickets to the matches this weekend will not be sold to the public.

Scores

Wisconsin 3, Illinois 0 - 25-20, 30-28, 25-9