Nebraska's Balanced Attack Too Much for Hoosiers in Front of Sold-Out Crowd

During its first six attacks of the match, five Nebraska players recorded a kill. 

The top-ranked Huskers used their potent offense to earn another Big Ten sweep on the road. Harper Murray led NU with 11 kills as it finished with a .379 hitting percentage in a 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 win over No. 15 Indiana Thursday night in front of 2,705 fans at Wilkinson Hall.

NU’s middles had an efficient night as Andi Jackson totaled nine kills on 17 attacks for a .471 hitting percentage while Manaia Ogbechie terminated on eight of her 12 swings. 

“A great win on the road against the ranked team with the big game waiting on Saturday,” NU coach Dani Busboom Kelly said during a postmatch radio interview. “I thought we handled everything really well, and we played good. Indiana gave us everything they had, and I thought we did great.”

Behind the balanced start, Nebraska jumped out to an 8-2 lead before the Hoosiers (10-4, 3-2) called their first timeout. 

Sophomore outside hitter Teraya Sigler dominated the first set, terminating her first five swings, including several out-of-system attacks. 

Sigler, who finished with 10 kills at a .389 clip, credited teammate Bergen Reilly, who finished with 35 assists in the sweep, with helping the offense perform at such a high level in a hostile road environment. Reilly also chipped in three kills on three attacks and seven digs. 

“She’s just an incredible setter. We’re just open to everything,” Sigler said. “She does such a good job of communicating and knowing when things are open, where to go, put me in the right position.”

The Huskers (16-0, 5-0) jumped all over IU to start the second set as an ace from Laney Choboy put them up 7-2. 

The second set featured one of the match’s more controversial moments when Andi Jackson was called in the net while trying to keep the play alive. 

Busboom Kelly challenged the call, saying they did not touch the net, but the call was upheld because of a lack of video evidence. She said the down official said she clearly saw someone in the net, but Busboom Kelly disagreed and called for a replay review. 

“She confirms the call, and she tells me I didn’t see a net on the replay, but I saw it live. And I said, “Well, isn’t that the point of the replay? If you don’t see it, it should be overturned,” Busboom Kelly said. “As a coach, I have a big problem with that. That is why we have replay review. It was very confusing for me.”

The Hoosiers kept the third set closer and led 13-11 before NU scored three straight points, the last two coming on aces from Olivia Mauch. The Husker libero finished with three aces, 10 digs and six assists. 

After Indiana tied the set at 15-all, NU took the lead for good with a 4-0 run that featured two back-row kills from Murray. 

The Huskers added a late wrinkle to their lineup as Kenna Cogill played the front row for Virginia Adriano, who recorded five kills and four errors on 15 attacks. However, she played middle blocker while Ogbechie slid over to play at the right pin. The duo combined for blocks on the last two rallies of the match. 

Ogbechie was in on six of Nebraska’s seven blocks for the match. 

“We put Kenna in Virginia’s spot to move Manaia to the right, more for blocking than offense, and it worked,” Busboom Kelly said. “That was cool to see Manaia get two stuffs there on the right.”

Nebraska also won the battle from the service line with five aces and just three errors. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers recorded just two aces and missed 13 serves. 

Jaidyn Jager and Ella Boersema led IU with nine kills each as the Hoosiers posted an opponent-best .282 hitting percentage. 

Nebraska will return home for a showdown with No. 7 Wisconsin on Saturday night.