The No. 2 Nebraska Volleyball The team barely had time to reflect.
Tuesday’s stop in Dallas proved to be a nightmare for the Huskers. They were swept by SMU and NU lost to an unranked opponent for the first time in over six years. But there were warning signs beforehand, as a surging TCU team forced Nebraska into four sets with the offense looking disjointed. That continued into Tuesday, but with passive serving that rarely rattled the Mustangs and sloppy passing.
“We got a punch in the face and let them keep hitting us,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “I’m pretty disappointed with how we responded tonight, but to be honest, I saw that. This all started Saturday night. We talked about frustration and didn’t fix it. We had a great practice last night, but we didn’t compete tonight. It was pretty disappointing.”
Nebraska barely has time to reflect on the loss. Less than 48 hours after the shocking defeat, the team returns to Lincoln to host the Husker Invitational. The Huskers face two non-Power Four opponents and must get back into shape before facing No. 10 Creighton next Tuesday in Devaney.
Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s Husker Invitational.
How to follow the instructions
Comparison: No. 2 Nebraska (3-1) vs. The Citadel (2-1)
Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
When: Thursday, 6 p.m. CDT
Regard: B1G+
Hear: Huskers Radio Network and Partners
The Citadel Scout
Head coach: Dave Zelenock | 7th season | 86-86 school record | Most successful head coach in school history
Record 2023: 27-4 (14-2 SoCon, 1st) | Honorable Mention at AVCA All-American, Player, Setter, Libero and Coach of the Year 2023 of the Southern Conference | Swept off the field in the first round of the NIVC by East Carolina
Record against Nebraska: 0-0 (First encounter)
Important returnees: Ali Ruffin, OH, Sr. | Belle Hogan, S, Sr. | Jaelynn Elgert, L, size | Mackenzie Martin, OH, Gr.
Important departures: Gina DeLancey, MB (Authorized) | Maddy Cardenas, MB (Authorized) | Angelina Sayles, OH, Soph. (Transfer)
Outlook: Citadel coach Dave Zelenock enters his seventh season with more than enough hype, as the Bulldogs were voted the Southern Conference preseason favorite. This comes after a 2023 season in which The Citadel broke numerous records. The Bulldogs finished the season 27-4, surpassing the program’s record for most wins in a season by 13. The Citadel won its first regular-season conference title and entered the SoCon tournament as the No. 1 seed. The season ended with a sweep of Samford in the semifinals, but history was made.
The Bulldogs return four of their seven players who earned All-Conference honors in 2023. That group is led by Ali Ruffin, the 2023 SoCon Player of the Year and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. A native of Greenville, North Carolina, Ruffin will go down as one of the best players in program history. In 2023, she recorded the 12th most kills in the country with 529 (4.52 per set), which is also the school’s single-season record. She also posted 47 aces, 405 digs and 34 total blocks.
Ruffin was helped by the play of 2023 SoCun Setter of the Year Belle Hogan. She broke the program’s single-season record for assists with 1,265 and set career highs in kills (108), blocks (60) and aces (34). She was seventh in the NCAA in assists per set with 10.73 and 13th in total assists. Libero of the Year Jaelynn Elgert is also back after a program-record 609 digs. Mackenzie Martin, transferring from Tulane, begins her second year with the Bulldogs after recording 243 kills in 2023.
The Citadel still suffered some losses. Middle blocker duo Maddy Cardenas and Gina DeLancey, both of whom were on the All-SoCon Second Team, both graduated. In addition, All-Freshman Team member Angelina Sayles transferred to Bradley after scoring 237 points.
Aaliyah Byers, who transfers from Wright State, takes control at center along with senior Sadie Gomez. This team has a lot of experience, so I don’t expect them to be extremely intimidated. Nebraska should be able to bounce back from SMU in this matchup, but it could be fun to look back at this Citadel team at the end of the season.
How to follow the instructions
Comparison: No. 2 Nebraska (3-1) vs. Montana State (1-1)
Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
When: Saturday, 2 p.m. CDT
Regard: Public Media in Nebraska
Hear: Huskers Radio Network and Partners
Montana Scouts
Head coach: Matt Houk | Season 2 | 25-10 record in school |
Record 2023: 24-9 (12-4 Big Sky, T-2.) | Five-set loss to Weber State in Big Sky Conference Championship match
Record against Nebraska: 0:1 (2016)
Important returnees: Jourdain Kamps, OH, Gr. | Lauren Lindseth, L, Jr. | Madilyn Siebler, OH, Jr. | Camryn Greenwald, MB/OH, Jr.
Khey Departures: Kira Thomsen, OH (authorization)
Outlook: Montana State coach Matt Houk has a tough task ahead of him after his debut season in 2023. The former Minnesota associate head coach led the Bobcats to a 24-9 overall record and 12-4 in Big Sky play, both of which are school records. The team also finished second in the conference, another first for the program. Montana State lost to Weber State in five sets in the conference finals, but postseason success followed. The Bobcats reached the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, losing to eventual champion Wichita State in the semifinals.
However, the Bobcats lost outside hitter Kira Thomsen, who led the conference in total kills, kills per set, points, points per set, aces and total attacks. Jourdain Kemps returns after a 2023 season that earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors. Hitters Camryn Greenwald and Madilyn Siebler both look to improve after scoring nearly 300 points this season. Starting libero Lauren Lindseth is also back, bringing experience in ground defense.
Nellie Stevenson returns for her second season as a starter at Montana State. The California native played in all 33 games last year and dished out 1,049 assists for an 8.53 assists per set average, the fourth-highest total in the Big Sky, while recording six games with 40 or more assists.
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