It wasn’t at all times a simple path, however all 4 No. 1 seeds superior to the NCAA girls’s volleyball event closing 4 in Louisville.
No. 1 general seed Pittsburgh was pushed to 5 units by Oregon within the regional semifinals. Louisville was down match factors however pulled off a five-set win in opposition to Northern Iowa within the second spherical. Penn State dropped 4 units alongside the best way, together with two in opposition to Creighton within the regional closing. Nebraska dropped its lone set in opposition to Dayton in a regional semifinal.
Now, convention rivals will conflict with a spot within the nationwide championship recreation on the road. First up Thursday is an ACC showdown between Pittsburgh and Louisville at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. That’s adopted by Big Ten powerhouses Nebraska and Penn State on ESPN. The winners will play Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
Penn State has seven nationwide championship in girls’s volleyball. Nebraska, runner-up a yr in the past, is a five-time champion. Pittsburgh and Louisville are searching for their first.
ESPN’s Katie George, Holly McPeak, Sam Gore, Paul Sunderland, Courtney Lyle, Michael Voepel and Aishwarya Kumar spotlight the gamers to observe, the keys to the matchups, the X components after which make their predictions.
Cast the highlight on one participant followers want to observe.
Kumar: There’s a purpose we won’t cease speaking about Pittsburgh outdoors hitter Olivia Babcock. She’s fiery and flashy together with her leap serve and her pin hitting. Babcock dominated within the Panthers’ sweep in opposition to 2020 nationwide champion Kentucky in its regional closing, posting a team-high 13 kills. Let’s not overlook, that efficiency got here on the heels of her career-high 31 kills in opposition to Oregon in an exciting five-set regional semifinal. Her extraordinary serve hit a little bit of a snag within the regionals, but she was nonetheless chosen the Pittsburgh regional’s most excellent participant. And what’s mind-boggling about all of this? She’s a sophomore.
McPeak: Babcock is the simple reply as a result of she will dominate a match, however I additionally like what Harper Murray is doing — all the pieces! — for Nebraska. She passes, blocks, digs and leads the group in kills. Murray is dynamic, assured and on a mission.
George: I like watching Penn State outdoors hitter Jess Mruzik. She can assault, block, defend and serve, however I like watching her swing. She can hit absurd angles crosscourt. Her 4-to-4 swing is nasty — that means she will hit the ball from her attacking place in left entrance (zone 4) so sharp that she’s in a position to gentle up the opposing left entrance attacker who’s defending their facet of the online’s zone 4. You need to have mega hops, torque, energy and hand contact to have the ability to hit that shot.
Gore: Babcock is a made-for-TV volleyball participant. She’s a possible spotlight at first of — or throughout — any rally. When she’s taking part in her greatest, she’s at one other stage, and she will take over a match. With the potential of a dynamic kill both on the internet or out of the again row, or firing an ace behind her huge topspin leap serve, she’s the participant who instantly captures your consideration.
Lyle: Yes, the pin hitters get plenty of love (and rightfully so), however how about these “littles?” Last weekend, Lexi Rodriguez of Nebraska was a strolling (or diving) spotlight reel. I like to observe the game-changing performs she makes effortlessly. She’s additionally a finalist for nationwide participant of the yr.
Voepel: Murray has been flying everywhere in the court docket for Nebraska, taking part in effectively each offensively and defensively. But we’ll additionally give a shout-out to Louisville outdoors hitter Anna DeBeer, who was essentially the most excellent participant of her regional, totaling 30 kills in these two matches.
Which group has appeared essentially the most unstoppable by its first 4 event video games?
George: Louisville, Pitt and Penn State have all been pushed to 5. Though Nebraska didn’t look extraordinarily sharp in a four-set win over Dayton in its regional semifinal, the Cornhuskers have appeared the half. Nebraska’s sweep of Wisconsin in its regional closing was dominant. No notes. It was a spectacular efficiency each offensively and defensively. We will see if that type continues in opposition to one other Big Ten opponent.
McPeak: Nebraska appeared very robust in opposition to Wisconsin. Its offense was firing, however protection was what made the Cornhuskers so spectacular in its regional closing sweep. They are additionally the one prime seed that hasn’t been pushed to a fifth set.
Gore: Nebraska is the one prime seed up to now that hasn’t confronted a legit risk in its matches, and that is as a result of the Cornhuskers are taking part in so effectively proper now. There’s that means behind the saying, “Defense wins championships.” Through 4 matches within the NCAA event, they’re holding opponents to an astounding .066 hitting proportion. If groups cannot put the ball down on them or serve them off the court docket, Nebraska’s protection might win it the nationwide championship.
Kumar: This is a toss-up between Pittsburgh and Nebraska, however I’m going with Nebraska. Three out of its 4 event wins got here in sweeps. Why? Because its protection is impenetrable. “Some of the defensive performs that these guys have been making … simply no person within the nation is making these within the backcourt,” Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield mentioned after the regional closing. Nebraska runs down each ball — even when it means going into the group. In the match in opposition to Wisconsin, Nebraska dug 59 balls and held the Badgers to a .126 hitting proportion.
Sunderland: Nebraska has appeared essentially the most unstoppable. Its protection is dogged. No ball goes down and not using a combat. With the deployment of its “littles” and the high-quality play of Murray in reception, the Cornhuskers are a stable side-out group.
Lyle: It’s Nebraska, however it may’t afford to have one other efficiency just like the one in opposition to Dayton. Yes, the Cornhuskers gained in 4 units (that they had match level within the third set), however they appeared flat. The gamers talked about how late the beginning was and admitted it affected them. The Huskers play within the second semifinal Thursday, and so they cannot come out flat in opposition to Penn State.
Voepel: This one is unanimous. Nebraska seems able to win championship No. 6, and the Huskers have so many weapons to do it.
Pitt went 2-0 in opposition to Louisville and Penn State went 1-0 in opposition to Nebraska this season. Should followers anticipate extra of the identical?
Voepel: It would possibly sound humorous to say Louisville is taking part in with home cash, however the strain to make the ultimate 4 of their hometown is over. The Cardinals made it. They additionally know that regardless of being at residence, they’re the fourth No. 1 seed and an underdog to Pitt. All of that — and a raucous residence crowd on the KFC Yum! Center — might swing the strain to the Panthers and make this semifinal a possible upset. I additionally suppose it might assist that Louisville performs the primary match Thursday; the group can be buzzing from first serve. The Cardinals misplaced 3-2 of their first assembly with the Panthers, Oct. 25 at Pitt. They misplaced 3-1 within the second assembly, Nov. 27 at Louisville. The third time could possibly be the allure, though that may be heartbreaking for a Pitt program that has misplaced within the semifinals the previous three years. As for the second match, I feel we have established Nebraska is coming in like a dashing locomotive. Admittedly, volleyball at occasions could be unpredictable with its momentum shifts, nevertheless it’s onerous to choose in opposition to the Huskers on this matchup.
Sunderland: No! Pittsburgh is simply too sound and too bodily for Louisville, however on the opposite facet, I anticipate Nebraska to advance over Penn State. Mruzik and Camryn Hannah can be challenged to attain and that would be the distinction in favor of the Cornhuskers.
Gore: Those have been regular-season matches, and although they play an element, the nationwide semifinals herald a complete different set of intangibles aside from how groups match up. Who handles the second higher? Who executes below the strain of profitable a nationwide championship and figuring out your season is over when you lose? Those psychological hurdles are magnified and need to be cleared.
McPeak: Good information for Louisville. The Cardinals are taking part in their greatest volleyball of the season. Louisville will must be at its greatest to problem a really bodily Pitt group that’s relentless on protection and in hitter protection. I’m anticipating a barn burner. Penn State may be very gifted, and I like the best way its setter, true freshman Izzy Starck, runs the offense. Not certain if the Nittany Lions have sufficient offensive stability to beat Nebraska once more, however they do have loads of firepower. Mruzik is an elite participant who steps up in huge moments.
George: Anything can occur at this stage. What helps each Pitt and Nebraska is that they performed in nationwide semifinals a yr in the past with their core group of gamers being a lot the identical. That expertise gained by younger gamers comparable to Stafford and Babcock (Pitt) or Murray and Bergen Reilly (Nebraska) is invaluable.
Lyle: I feel event time is completely completely different. I’m actually to see how Louisville is affected by taking part in in a nationwide semifinal at residence. I feel that basically helped it keep away from being upset by Northern Iowa within the second spherical.
Who or what’s the X think about Pitt-Louisville?
Sunderland: Bre Kelley. I actually recognize Pitt within the reception section with Torrey Stafford and Emmy Klika. That will give Kelley first-ball side-out alternatives out of the center, resulting in stress-free factors.
George: Louisville’s 6-2 offense. Dani Busboom Kelly mentioned earlier than the primary match of the season that the 6-2 offense offers the Cardinals the very best probability to make it to the nationwide semifinals. So far so good. A 6-2 makes use of three hitters within the entrance row always, whereas two setters run the offense from the again row at completely different occasions. It’s why the Cards are the very best blocking group within the nation. They at all times have three huge, succesful blockers within the entrance row. Can they decelerate Pitt’s many arms? If Louisville’s block can get touches on Babcock and never let her go off, it will actually be useful.
Voepel: Echoing Katie on the Louisville block being a probably large issue on this match. If the Cardinals can set up it, get the group going and pressure the Panthers to begin second-guessing their swings or going for an excessive amount of, that might swing the match to the Cardinals. Admittedly, that’s all very onerous to do to Pitt.
Gore: The psychological edge. Pitt has had the mantra of eager to be the hunter this season after falling in need of the nationwide championship match the previous three years. This stage has been its roadblock for 3 years in a row. Now is the second of reality. Learn from the previous and achieve the objective, or reset for one more try subsequent season. Louisville is taking part in at residence. Does that change into one thing it may be fueled by, or does it change into a burden?
Kumar: Their rivalry. There are all these feelings round taking part in one another for these two ACC elites. I used to be in Pittsburgh in late October when Pitt was about to tackle Louisville within the groups’ first regular-season assembly, and you may really feel it within the air. Coach Dan Fisher talked about spending the week learning tape, preparing for an enormous problem. The groups share a wealthy historical past: This is the third straight yr they’re going to play one another within the NCAA event. In the 2022 nationwide semifinal in Omaha, the Cardinals gained a five-setter. Pittsburgh responded with a reverse sweep within the regional closing final yr. I’ve the Panthers profitable this one, however the truth that Louisville is taking part in at house is a giant benefit.
Lyle: These two know one another so effectively. It’s going to come back all the way down to who can execute and make the fewest errors. Neither can afford to provide away factors.
Who or what’s the X think about Penn State-Nebraska?
Kumar: Nebraska outdoors hitter Taylor Landfair. A 6-foot-5 senior switch from Minnesota, Landfair had perhaps the very best match of her Cornhuskers profession when it mattered most in opposition to No. 2 seed Wisconsin within the regional closing, scoring a team-high 13 kills (tying her season excessive). She might very effectively be the spark for Nebraska in opposition to Mruzik and Penn State.
Gore: Again, it is which group handles the psychological second higher. Like Pitt, Nebraska has been fueled by unfinished enterprise from final season. This is an opportunity for redemption. Will the Huskers be pushed sufficient by final yr’s loss? Penn State already is aware of it has the flexibility to beat Nebraska. Do the Nittany Lions imagine they will win once more? Also, historical past is filled with groups getting additional motivation from a sick or injured cherished one. All any Penn State participant has to do is take a look at their coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who’s within the midst of chemotherapy remedies. She is a dwelling inspiration. That offers each Penn State participant on the spot braveness, combat and fearlessness to get by any adversity on the court docket.
George: I feel the proper facet/reverse attackers would be the X issue on this match. Merritt Beason’s attacking numbers have been down within the NCAA event. Can she return to type? Caroline Jurevicius has been a gentle performer for Penn State. Which reverse can present extra manufacturing Thursday can be a match throughout the match to keep watch over.
McPeak: Defense. Whichever group wins should be serving powerful and taking part in high-level protection. Offense scores factors and helps win units, however protection wins championships. With that being mentioned, passing is an important basis for a very good offense and that can be one other key.
Lyle: I agree with Holly — protection. Nebraska’s protection was an enormous think about its sweep of Wisconsin within the regional closing.
Voepel: Sounds easy, however general Nebraska simply has extra depth and expertise, and has been taking part in very confidently.
Pitt wins the nationwide title if…
Kumar: When I requested Fisher this query in November, he mentioned, “Pitt wins the nationwide championship when we’re the group that cares about one another essentially the most, stays within the second and stays in a hunter mindset for essentially the most period of time.”
Sunderland: The second does not change into too huge and so they experience Babcock. There isn’t any tomorrow, so 15 assaults per set isn’t too many.
Voepel: The Panthers play the dominating, bodily type they’re able to. There are many championship groups which were in a position to experience one highly effective hitter who cannot be stopped irrespective of the way you strategize for her. As Paul mentioned, Babcock has that form of expertise.
Nebraska wins the nationwide title if …
Kumar: Its protection is as spectacular because it has been up to now this season.
Sunderland: It continues to defend at an unparalleled stage. This section by the Cornhuskers continues to place a lot strain on the opponent. One final thought: Beason needs to be efficient offensively, particularly out of the again row, the place she has not been up to now within the event.
Voepel: The Cornhuskers play the best way they did within the regional closing in opposition to Wisconsin, particularly within the second set. The Badgers tried all the pieces to disrupt the Huskers, however they could not.
Louisville wins the nationwide title if …
Voepel: This can be fairly an ending for a number of causes: The hometown group profitable, the ACC getting its first NCAA volleyball championship, and Busboom Kelly changing into the primary girl to win the title as head coach. The odds are stacked in opposition to the Cardinals profitable two matches, but when they will get previous Pitt, their confidence can be hovering for the ultimate.
Sunderland: As a lot as I respect and admire Louisville and what it has completed this season, the semifinals is the tip of the road except Pitt has an off evening. Being at residence offers Louisville a leg up however not sufficient.
Kumar: DeBeer, Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Charitie Luper helped Louisville outkill Pitt 70-68 of their five-set loss in October. It’s a tall job, but when the Cardinals can duplicate and even widen that margin on Thursday, they may advance.
Penn State wins the nationwide title if …
Sunderland: Similar to my ideas on Louisville, Penn State doesn’t have sufficient to advance in opposition to the stability of Nebraska. Of course, upsets are doable, however I do not see it right here. A powerful run for Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the Nittany Lions ends right here.
Voepel: The Nittany Lions have already got crushed Nebraska this season, in order that they know they’re able to it. We noticed plenty of resolve from Penn State in preventing off Creighton, so if the Nittany Lions make the ultimate, they may push their momentum all the best way to an eighth championship for this system. And in that case, Schumacher-Cawley can be the primary girl to teach a group to the D-I volleyball championship.
Kumar: Penn State had extra kills, extra aces, extra assists and extra digs than Nebraska of their November match. If they will repeat that recipe, they’re going to advance.
Who advances to Sunday’s closing?
Kumar: Pittsburgh and Nebraska.
Sunderland: Nebraska-Pitt within the finals. This story was written a while in the past and can play out Sunday.
Voepel: Much of this season has been pointing towards a Pitt-Nebraska closing. I feel that is what we’ll get.
Who wins the nationwide championship?
McPeak: From what I’ve seen this season, something can occur. What group will rise to the event? We have 4 elite groups with a lot expertise. Pitt and Nebraska have been two of the strongest groups all season and is perhaps on a collision course. It can be a enjoyable one to observe and I’m prepared for this unimaginable story to unfold.
Kumar: Nebraska in 5 purely as a result of the Huskers have been there earlier than, they know what it takes and so they’re hungry after final yr’s loss to Texas.
Sunderland: Close name for sure, however I give Nebraska the slight edge. Advantage to the Cornhuskers in reception and the play of the “littles” creating extra point-scoring alternatives. Nebraska wins quantity six. Mic drop.
Voepel: The Huskers have misplaced thrice within the championship match since they gained their fifth title in 2017. They fell in 5 units to Stanford in 2018 and Wisconsin in 2021, and have been swept by Texas final yr. If Nebraska will get one other probability to play for the championship, I do not suppose it’s going to let this one get away.
