Nebraska’s volleyball game against Wisconsin last Saturday was so epic that even the losing side’s coach thought it was epic.
Nebraska rebounded by winning the final two sets to beat No. 1 and previously unbeaten Wisconsin in five sets – 15-13 in the fifth.
During a news conference with local reporters Monday in Madison, Wisconsin, Badgers coach Kelly Sheffield praised the Nebraska team and the energy at the Devaney Sports Center, which had a record crowd of 9,198.
“The level of play was truly exceptional. Really high on both sides,” Sheffield said. “I think every player on the pitch has gone through some struggles and had big moments. It was a big exchange, back and forth. We didn’t close out the fourth or fifth set the way we would have liked, but a lot of that was thanks to them on the other side of the net.”
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After Nebraska was strong early in the game, Wisconsin racked up 12 blocks in the second set and won the set 25-17.
Sheffield was impressed with how the Huskers recovered from what could have been an overwhelming feeling.
“We blocked them – 12 blocks in the second set is incredible,” Sheffield said. “And then they started making a lot of hitting mistakes – sometimes really bad hitting mistakes. And you know that this blockage is in her head. The fact that they were able to calm down and make really good swings again without giving up the game… the mental toughness on their side of the net was really impressive.”
In a tight fifth set, the Badgers made costly mistakes with two service errors and two net violations, including on match point.
“You just can’t have that,” Sheffield said.
Still, Sheffield said it was hard to be frustrated with the players because of the team’s successful blocking early in the game.
“We tried to block aggressively and it caught up to us a little bit, maybe with a little technique at the end,” Sheffield said. “Fatigue could have played a role. I don’t know.”
Nebraska’s offense was impressive in the final set with 13 kills and a .545 hitting percentage.
Nebraska freshman outside hitter Harper Murray had seven kills on nine attempts in the final set, accounting for half of her 14 kills in the match.
“Harper Murray – who struggled all game – had seven kills in the fifth (set),” Sheffield said.
Wisconsin played good defense overall in this game, Sheffield said, and that’s an area the team is likely underappreciating because of its offensive firepower.
The Badgers’ serving was just OK, Sheffield said, but that was due in part to the quality of serving and receiving from Nebraska’s players. For the first time this season, UW didn’t have a serve in the game.
Regardless of the outcome, Sheffield knew Wisconsin had to improve. And they will play the Huskers again in the final week of the season in Madison.
“We still control our own destiny for a Big Ten championship, if you will,” Sheffield said. “This game, win or lose, doesn’t define us. We have to do better.”
A game of this magnitude like Saturday’s cannot take place without outstanding teams and great fan support for college volleyball, and Sheffield knows that.
He was impressed when he saw the college students lined up hours before the game.
“The environment was as good as it’s ever been on the road,” the 25-year-old college coach said.
Another chance for the sport to attract new television viewers comes this week when Wisconsin plays Minnesota in a televised game on FOX on Sunday at 3:45 p.m.
The game follows a Packers football game on the same network.
With an average of 7,211, Wisconsin ranks second in the nation. The scene at the UW Field House will showcase the sport in a great way.
“It’s a hugely exciting time for our sport,” Sheffield said. “We all feel it. It’s an earthquake that’s happening right now.”
Reach the author at 402-473-7435 or [email protected]. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
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