Nebraska Cornhuskers Advance to NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four
The NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four is set, featuring all four No. 1 seeds. On Sunday, Nebraska and Penn State secured their spots with regional final victories, joining Pitt and Louisville, who advanced on Saturday.
The national semifinals will take place this Thursday in Louisville. The hometown Louisville Cardinals will face the Pitt Panthers at 6:30 PM ET, followed by a showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both matches will air on ESPN, while the national championship match is scheduled for Sunday, December 22, at 3:00 PM ET on ABC.
Semifinal Matchups: Conference Rivals Collide
Both semifinal matchups feature conference rivals, ensuring intense competition. In the ACC, Louisville and Pitt are each vying for their first national volleyball title. Meanwhile, in the Big Ten, powerhouses Penn State and Nebraska boast a combined 12 NCAA titles (seven for Penn State and five for Nebraska) and nine runner-up finishes.
During the regular season, No. 1 Pitt defeated Louisville in both of their meetings. Similarly, Penn State overcame Nebraska in their lone matchup this year.
Dominant Performance by Nebraska
The Huskers, making their 18th NCAA Final Four appearance, cruised to victory on Sunday with a commanding 26-24, 25-17, 25-21 sweep of Wisconsin. Senior standout Taylor Landfair, in her first season at Nebraska after transferring from Minnesota, led the team with 11 kills. Nebraska has now defeated Wisconsin in all three meetings this season, including two during the Big Ten regular season.
Penn State’s Hard-Fought Win
For Penn State, this marks their 14th Final Four appearance, but they had a tougher road to get there. The Nittany Lions were pushed to five sets by No. 2 seed Creighton, which was seeking its first Final Four berth and aiming to create an all-Nebraska semifinal matchup. However, playing on their home court, the Nittany Lions dominated the fifth set 15-7 to secure the win. Jess Mruzik delivered a standout performance with 20 kills, leading Penn State to victory.
Historic Coaching Opportunities
A compelling storyline this year is the potential for a female head coach to win the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship for the first time in its history. Both Dani Busboom Kelly of Louisville and Katie Schumacher-Cawley of Penn State have a chance to break new ground and inspire future generations of coaches.
Among the semifinal coaches, Nebraska’s John Cook stands out as the only one with championship experience, having led the Huskers to four NCAA titles. All seven of Penn State’s championships were won under legendary coach Russ Rose, who retired after the 2021 season.
The Final Four represents a meeting of established dynasties and rising contenders, each team bringing unique strengths and aspirations. While Nebraska and Penn State aim to add to their legacy of success, Louisville and Pitt are eager to carve their own paths to greatness and make history for their programs.
Fans can expect a weekend of high-intensity volleyball, as the sport’s brightest stars compete for the ultimate prize. Whether it’s a legacy continued or a new champion crowned, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship is poised to deliver unforgettable moments.
