There are 77 days until the first match of the 2021 fall season. For some, it feels like the championship was just yesterday. It was 48 days ago. There is a lot going on in volleyball; transfer portals, extra year of eligibility, Olympics. I suspect these next 77 days will speed by.
The University of Nebraska Athletic Department is planning for 100 percent capacity for all home fall sporting events. The volleyball schedule includes both non-conference and conference matches.
The Huskers begin the 2021 campaign on Aug. 27-28 hosting Tulsa, Colgate and Kansas State in a tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The following weekend, the Big Red will welcome Omaha, Georgia and Arizona State to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for another home tournament.
Nebraska will face in-state foe Creighton at the CHI Health Center Omaha on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Creighton spent much of last season in the top 25. They lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Morehead State in five sets.
The Huskers’ host Utah on Saturday, Sept. 11. The Utes reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Omaha this spring and were ranked No. 17 in the final AVCA Coaches Poll.
The Huskers’ final week of non-conference action will feature a road trip to Stanford on Sept. 14 and a home match on Sept. 18 against Louisville, coached by former Husker player and assistant coach Dani Busboom Kelly. The Cardinals reached an NCAA Regional Semifinal in the spring and finished the year at No. 11 in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
Nebraska’s 20-match Big Ten schedule includes single-play matches against Northwestern (road), Michigan (home), Michigan State (home), Minnesota (road), Ohio State (road) and Maryland (home). The Huskers will play home-and-home series against Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin.
Of note, all of the Wisconsin seniors (Sydney Hilley, Dana Rettke, Lauren Barnes, Giorgia Civita and Grace Loberg) plan to return to play another season at Wisconsin. The only senior that will not return is outside hitter Molly Haggerty. Think they are hungry?
As a Nebraska fan, you immediately think of the NCAA tournament after we begin talking about volleyball. The 2021 NCAA tournament is scheduled to play in Columbus, Ohio on Dec 16 and 18.
2021 Nebraska Fall Volleyball Schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
---|---|---|
Date | Opponent | Time |
Friday, Aug. 27 | Tulsa | Noon |
Friday, Aug. 27 | Colgate | 7:30 p.m. |
Saturday, Aug. 28 | Kansas State | TBA |
Friday, Sept. 3 | Omaha | Noon |
Friday, Sept. 3 | Georgia | 7:30 p.m. |
Saturday, Sept. 4 | Arizona State | TBA |
Wednesday, Sept. 8 | at Creighton (CHI Health Center) | TBA |
Saturday, Sept. 11 | Utah | TBA |
Tuesday, Sept. 14 | at Stanford | TBA |
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Louisville | TBA |
Wednesday, Sept. 22 | at Northwestern | TBA |
Saturday, Sept. 25 | Iowa | TBA |
Friday, Oct. 1 | Michigan | TBA |
Sunday, Oct. 3 | Michigan State | TBA |
Friday, Oct. 8 | at Penn State | TBA |
Saturday, Oct. 9 | at Rutgers | TBA |
Wednesday, Oct. 13 | Indiana | TBA |
Saturday, Oct. 16 | Illinois | TBA |
Wednesday, Oct. 20 | at Iowa | TBA |
Saturday, Oct. 23 | Purdue | TBA |
Wednesday, Oct. 27 | Wisconsin | TBA |
Saturday, Oct. 30 | at Minnesota | TBA |
Thursday, Nov. 4 | at Illinois | TBA |
Saturday, Nov. 6 | at Ohio State | TBA |
Friday, Nov. 12 | Maryland | TBA |
Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Indiana | TBA |
Friday, Nov. 19 | Penn State | TBA |
Saturday, Nov. 20 | Rutgers | TBA |
Friday, Nov. 26 | at Wisconsin | TBA |
Saturday, Nov. 27 | at Purdue | TBA |