Here we go once more.
For the second straight season – and third within the final 4 years – the Nebraska volleyball crew will finish its season in both agony or victory on the NCAA Volleyball Final Four, with the 2024 model positioned in Louisville.
It’s a website that has held loads of latest reminiscences. Earlier within the 12 months, the No. 2 Huskers swept Louisville in entrance of 14,000 individuals on the KFC Yum! Center, which would be the venue this weekend. On a extra damaging notice, it was additionally the place NU’s season led to 2022 with a five-set loss to Oregon.
Nebraska will purpose to perform the previous, however this 12 months’s group of finalists are as fearsome as they arrive with all No. 1 regional seeds advancing via. It’s additionally a reignition of convention rivalries and the follow-up to 2 Power Four convention title matches with Louisville and Pittsburgh battling on one facet on the bracket, and Nebraska versus Penn State within the different.
With the game set to take one other step with heightened curiosity, a packed area and a document variety of eyeballs following alongside on TV, right here’s all you want to know for faculty volleyball’s epic season finale.
How to Follow Along
National Semifinals
National Championship
Penn State Scout
Head Coach: Katie Schumacher-Cawley | third Season at PSU; twelfth as Head Coach | 81-19 (.810) at Penn State; 206-165 (.554) as Head Coach | Two-time AVCA All-American and 1999 National Championship at Penn State as a participant | Previous head coach stops at UIC and Penn.
2024 Record: 33-2 (19-1 B1G, T-1st) | Co-B1G Champions | B1G Coach and Freshman OTY, 4x All-Big Ten First Team, 1x All-Big Ten Second Team, 2x Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
All-Time Series: Nebraska leads 28-12 (Nov. 29, 2024, 3-1 PSU)
Fun Fact: Nebraska holds an 8-3 benefit over Penn State within the NCAA Tournament with the Husker topping the Nittany Lions 3-2 within the 2017 National Semifinals.
Stat Leaders: Points: Jess Mruzik, 579 | Kills Per Set: Mruzik, 4.21 | Attacking %: Taylor Trammell, .447 | Assists Per Set: Izzy Starck, 10.89 | Aces: Gillian Grimes, 36 | Blocks: Maggie Mendelson, 140 | Digs Per Set: Grimes, 3.87.
Other Key Contributors: Camryn Hannah, OH, Gr. (3.59 Okay/S, 26 Aces) | Caroline Jurevicius, OPP, R-Fr. (1.91 Okay/S, 75 Blocks) | Ava Falduto, L/DS, Fr. (2.33 D/S, 35 Aces) | Quinn Menger, DS/S, Sr. (27 Aces, 36).
Outlook: An eternity for Penn State requirements, the Nittany Lions are again within the National Semifinals for the primary time since 2017 beneath third-year head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley who was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Penn State hosted its twenty first regional in program historical past final weekend, topping Marquette 3-1 earlier than outlasting Creighton in a five-set thriller at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions had been definitely extra examined of their regional in comparison with Nebraska, which can assist compensate for his or her lack of expertise within the huge state of a National Semifinal.
But PSU has loads of veteran expertise to lean on which is led by star outdoors hitter Jess Mruzik who has a team-leading 4.21 kills per set and a pair of.37 digs per set. Graduate pupil Camryn Hannah is among the finest compliments within the nation at 3.59 kills per set whereas true freshman setter Izzy Starck has flourished with 10.89 assists per set, 2.52 digs per set and 17 aces en path to being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Nebraska switch Maggie Mendelson will lean on her expertise on the National Semifinal a 12 months in the past with the Huskers, however she leads PSU with 140 complete blocks. Fellow center blocker Taylor Trammell is extra of an offensive pressure, posting a .447 hitting share, which led all Big Ten gamers with not less than 200 kills.
A crew that has rallied about Schumacher-Cawley’s breast most cancers analysis, Penn State has its finest crew in years. The victory towards Nebraska in late November is previously, however it might show to be an element within the sense that the Nittany Lions know they’ll beat the Huskers – who’ve misplaced a complete of 4 matches within the final two years. Funny sufficient, the most important issue could also be former Husker Caroline Jurevicius who recorded a career-high 18 kills on a .414 clip towards NU. That additionally contains 11 kills – second on the crew – on a .292 hitting share within the win over Creighton. If she will get sizzling once more, and both Mruzik or Hannah contributes to their stage, that’s the place Penn State can high the Huskers once more.
Pittsburgh Scout
Head Coach: Dan Fisher | twelfth Season | 320-68 (.825) Pitt & Career HC Record | Four Final Four Appearances (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), 9x NCAA Tournament Appearances | 6x ACC Titles, 3x ACC Coach of the Year.
2024 Record: 33-1 (19-1 ACC, 1st) | ACC Player and Coach of the Year, 4x All-ACC First Team, 2x All-ACC Second Team, 1x ACC All-Freshman Team.
All-Time Series vs. Louisville: Louisville Leads 19-16 (Nov. 27, 2024 final matchup, 3-1 Pitt)
Fun Fact: This shall be Pittsburgh’s fourth-straight National Semifinal Appearance, however the Panthers have by no means superior to the National Championship. Thursday is a repeat of 2022 towards the Cardinals the place Louisville gained in 5 units.
Stat Leaders: Points: Olivia Babcock, 643.5 | Kills Per Set: Babcock, 4.59 | Attacking %: Bre Kelley, .506 | Assists Per Set: Rachel Fairbanks, 10.56 | Aces: Babcock, 71 | Blocks: Kelley, 154 | Digs Per Set: Emmy Klika, 2.81.
Other Key Contributors: Torrey Stafford, OH, Soph. (3.67 Okay/S, .359, 2.28 D/S), Valeria Vazquez Gomez, OH, Gr. (2.06 Okay/S, 40 Aces, 1.95 D/S), Cat Flood, OH, Sr. (27 Aces), Ryla Jones, MB, Fr. (112 Blocks, 1.14 Okay/S).
Outlook: College volleyball’s nationwide No. 1 for a lot of the season, Pittsburgh will enter its fourth-straight National Semifinal once they play ACC rival Louisville Thursday night time within the Cardinals hometown.
Despite the affect of veterans in Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2.06 Okay/S, 40 Aces, 1.95 D/S), Cat Flood (27 Aces), Emmy Klika (2.81 D/S) and setter Rachel Fairbanks (10.89 A/S), the celebrities of this crew are all underclassmen.
Olivia Babcock often is the entrance runner for the AVCA’s National Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4 reverse has blossomed as a sophomore and appears primed to be the subsequent star of the game. She’s posted 4.59 kills and 1.85 digs per set throughout 34 matches with 71 blocks (fifth nationally) and 126 blocks. Fellow sophomore Torrey Stafford cleans up behind Babcock with 3.67 kills per set coupled with 2.28 digs per set, 66 blocks and 20 aces. True freshman center blocker Ryla Jones rounds out the star trio. She owns 112 blocks for third on the squad with 1.14 kills per set because the second center behind Bre Kelley – who leads the crew with 154 blocks and 1.88 kills per set.
Some view Pittsburgh and Nebraska being on a collision course for the National Title, however the Panthers should get previous the hometown Louisville Cardinals – who beat the Panthers in a five-set thriller in 2022’s National Semifinals. Pitt gained each common season conferences between the 2 powerhouses with one being a five-set thriller on Oct. 25 earlier than a 3-1 victory on Nov. 27. Just just like the Huskers, the one blemish on Pitt’s schedule is a five-set loss to SMU in Dallas.
With how dominant the Panthers have been, it’s laborious to not see them within the National Championship, particularly how they’ve overwhelmed Louisville of their two earlier matches. However, the Cardinals can have the most important crowd on the biggest stage, which might show to be the distinction if it’s an in depth match. Pitt ought to make the ultimate, however beating a top-four crew thrice is a tricky job.
Louisville Scout
Head Coach: Dani Busboom Kelly | eighth Season at Louisville | 202-38 (.824) Career & School document | 2021 National Runner-Up, 3x National Semifinal Appearance, 8x NCAA Tournament Appearances | 4x ACC Titles, 3x ACC Coach of the Year, 2021 AVCA National Coach of the Year, 2016 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year.
2024 Record: 29-5 (17-2 ACC, 2nd) | ACC Defensive and Freshman of the Year, 3x All-ACC First Team, 1x All-ACC Second Team, 1x ACC All-Freshman Team.
Fun Fact: As a part of her six-year contract extension signed in December 2021, Dani Busboom Kelly has a no-strings escape clause if Nebraska hires her as head coach. She wouldn’t need to pay a buyout.
Stat Leaders: Points: Anna DeBeer, 456.5 | Kills Per Set: DeBeer, 3.37 | Attacking %: Cara Cresse, .323 | Assists Per Set: Elle Glock, 5.45 | Aces: Elena Scott, 36 | Blocks: Cresse, 164 | Digs Per Set: Scott, 4.37.
Other Key Contributors: Charity Luper, OH, Sr. (3.01 Okay/S, 20 Aces, 2.15 D/S), Sofia Diaz Maldonado, OH, Sr. (2.58 Okay/S, 78 Blocks), Reese Robins, OPP, Soph. (1.70 Okay/S, 96 Blocks), Phekran Kong (1.26 Okay/S, 92 Blocks), Nayelis Cabello, S, Fr. (5.39 A/S).
Outlook: Former Nebraska libero and assistant coach Dani Busboom Kelly has unfold her success within the volleyball state to the Bluegrass State along with her third NCAA Semifinal within the final 4 seasons – highlighted by a 2021 National Runner-Up end to Texas.
That 2021 season noticed the Cardinals defeat Pittsburgh within the National Semifinal who’s their opponent on Thursday night time. Anna DeBeer was a catalyst for that 2021 run and he or she returned for her fifth season of faculty volleyball to do precisely the identical. Her 3.37 kills per set leads the crew, touchdown a second profession All-ACC First Team honor alongside fellow attacker and UCLA switch Charitie Luper (3.01 Okay/S) and all-time libero Elena Scott. The hometown child is averaging 4.37 digs per set for her second-straight season with not less than 4 digs per set. Her 36 aces are additionally a crew excessive.
Busboom Kelly and the Cardinals are the one crew within the remaining discipline to run a six-two offensive system with two setters. That contains Nebraska native and Wahoo High School graduate Elle Glock (5.45 A/S) and ACC Freshman of the Year Nayelis Cabello (5.39 A/S).
All-ACC picks Cara Cresse and Phekran Kong maintain down the center for Louisville. Cresse places down 1.63 kills per set with a crew main 164 blocks (1.49 B/S). Kong has 92 blocks on the season, pairing that mark with 1.26 kills per set.
The Cardinals should make the most of enjoying of their hometown as Louisville most probably enters Thursday because the least more likely to win the title. Four of its 5 losses from the season are from National Semifinal groups with losses to Nebraska, Penn State and twice from Pittsburgh. Plus, a 3-1 defeat to Stanford, who was overwhelmed by the Cardinals within the Louisville Regional Finals.
Pittsburgh has the leg up with two wins over Louisville earlier within the common season, and there’s not a lot to say that the outcome will prove any in another way. Although, getting the house crowd at a Final Four website is at all times totally different, so leveraging that crowd is essential for any form of victory towards the Panthers Thursday night time.
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