The Nebraska Cornhuskers program has dished out plenty of pain to its fans over the last few years. The program’s athletes have felt plenty of pain as well. But the pain the Nebraska volleyball players, coaches and fans are feeling on Thursday night is altogether new.
It is the kind of pain that can only come from being in a situation like a two-set to none lead in a final four matchup against a conference rival and somehow finding a way to lose. Somehow going from what looked like total domination to playing from behind far too often. The pain from having a massive win in the palm of their hands and simply not getting the play that would close things out over, and over and over.
Perhaps the most painful aspect of the Nebraska Cornhuskers loss to Penn State in five sets was just how familiar the final three sets felt. The vibe in the building, despite the fact that the Huskers looked to be in charge was shockingly similar to the vibe last year in the national championship match against Texas. NU seemed to be on its heels. The difference is, it’s hard to figure out why. At least in 2023, they were outplayed from the jump by the Longhorns. That wasn’t the case tonight.
Nebraska Cornhuskers collapse in final three sets to lose in Final Four
At this point, the pain the Nebraska volleyball players must be feeling has to be near unimaginable. This was a crew that was supremely confident of their abilities to dominate everyone they played.
That was not misplaced. They dominated match after match after match. Then went up 20-16 in what could have been the decisive third set. And things exploded from there. Penn State went on a 9-3 run in that set, then gutted out a 28-26 win in the fourth set when the Huskers once again had match point. And then, in the third set, the Huskers were beaten.
While they took it to the limit, losing 15-13, they never had a lead in the fifth set. They were never even able to tie it up after 2-2 turned into 5-2 Nittany Lions.
When the smoke cleared, the Nebraska Cornhuskers walked off the court in a new kind of pain. This one is going to hurt for a while.