Nebraska Volleyball: The Road to the Final Four

While many of you will be hitting the company Christmas party, the #14 seed Nebraska Cornhusker Volleyball team will be in battle at the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament against #3 seed Washington Huskies, FRIDAY, December 12, at 8:30 pm CST on ESPNU. The winner of the Sweet 16 match will advance to the Elite 8 to play the winner of the BYU and #6 seed Florida State contest.

Cheering on the Lady Huskers (Photo credit Tori Pallas)

Nebraska and Washington have a very competitive rivalry in the Tournament. (Nebraska leads series 3-2) Two of the most memorable games go back to 2005 when Washington defeated the #1 Huskers, claiming Washington’s first and only National Championship, and again in 2008. Huskers found themselves down two sets before their amazing comeback to win taking the next three sets to claim victory in 2008. John Cook called that victory the greatest comeback in Husker history. But it is not only the Nebraska and Washington fans taking note of this storied rivalry. Friday night’s game at 8:30 pm CST will be the first ever-regional semifinal to be televised to a national audience (ESPNU).

Here’s the competition for Nebraska’s stops along the road for the Final Four. # 3 seed Washington Huskies: 31-2 record going into Friday’s matchup against Nebraska – Pac 12 Runner up (18-2) Head Coach Jim McLaughlin: 13 years as Head coach of Washington (2013 Pac 12 Coach of the Year) Two national titles for McLaughlin: 1990 as head coach of USC (Men’s Team) and the 2005 Women’s national championship against top ranked Nebraska. Led by All American and Pac !2 Player of the Year Senior outside hitter Krista Vansant. She was also the 2013 National Player of the Year Of notable mention: Senior outside hitter Kaleigh Nelson. (All Pac 12) Junior defensive specialist / Libero Cassie Strickland (Pac 12 Libero of the Year) 2014 Tournament Journey: First round-Defeated New Hampshire 3-0 Second round-Defeated Hawaii 3-1

Volleyball Huskers warm up for the game (Photo by Elaine Menzel)

Should Nebraska get passed Washington, Nebraska will face the winner of the Florida State/BYU match. #6 Seed Florida State Seminoles: 30-2 record going into the game against BYU – ACC Runner up (16-2) Head Coach Chris Poole: 6 years as Had Coach of Florida State (lead FSU to Sweet 16 4 of the last 6 seasons) Led by Junior outside hitter Nicole Walsh (Frist Team All-ACC) -who leads the team in kills with 464 Of notable mention: Senior libero Katie Mosher (First Team All-ACC)-FSU all-time leader in digs with 500 on the season Sophomore middle blocker Sarah Burrington (First Team All-ACC) 2014 Tournament Journey: First round-Defeated Jacksonville 3-0 Second round-Defeated Alabama 3-0

Brigham Young University 27-4 going into the match against FSU – WCC Champions Head Coach Shawn Olmstead: 3 years as Head Coach of BYU-2013 & 2014 WCC Coach of the Year-(Shared title with Pacific coach Greg Gibbons 2014) Led by Junior outside hitter Alexa Gray-named the 2014 WCC Player of the Year. Of notable mention: Sophomore middle blocker Whitney Young-named 2014 WCC Defensive Player of the Year Senior Opposite Hitter Jennifer Hamson-2014 WCC First Team 2014 Tournament Journey: First Round-Defeated Seton Hall 3-0 Second Round-Defeated #11 seed Arizona 3-1