Nebraska Volleyball Advances to Final Four, Defeats Wisconsin in Elite Eight Showdown

Nebraska Huskers delivered a stunning performance to secure their spot in the NCAA Final Four, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in straight sets (26-24, 25-17, 25-21) during Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup. In a contest marked by exceptional defense and relentless determination, Nebraska proved their dominance, overcoming one of their fiercest Big Ten rivals for the third time this season.

A Game-Changing Second Set

If there’s ever a concept of “owning a zone” in volleyball, Nebraska embodied it in the second set. The Huskers took control with early momentum, surging ahead to a 12-4 lead and extinguishing any hope Wisconsin had of equalizing the match.

Key players, such as libero Lexi Rodriguez, made critical saves in long rallies, while Merritt Beason’s sharp serving and Harper Murray’s back-row attacks were instrumental. Rodriguez, a two-time All-American, referred to this phase as the team’s “flow state”:
“I knew going into the second set we’d play with much more urgency, and that’s exactly what we did,” Rodriguez said. “We were just riding the wave, and it felt amazing.”

This commanding second-set performance laid the groundwork for Nebraska’s third consecutive Final Four appearance, and their third in the last four years.

Defensive Brilliance

The match will long be remembered for its incredible defense on both sides. Nebraska’s players chased down balls across the court and even into the sidelines, recording 59 digs, with 17 credited to Rodriguez and 12 to Murray.
“The effort on both sides was phenomenal,” said head coach John Cook. “Both teams were pulling off impossible plays.”

While Nebraska’s offensive hitting percentage was .210, their defense kept Wisconsin at just .126.

Key Performances

• Taylor Landfair, Nebraska’s standout outside hitter, led the Huskers with 13 kills and 2 blocks, delivering clutch points in critical moments.
• Harper Murray, named the Lincoln Regional MVP, showcased her versatility with 10 kills and a stellar performance in back-row attacks, proving to be the difference-maker.
• Merritt Beason contributed key serves and kills, including a game-defining ace during a dominant six-point service run in the second set.
• For Wisconsin, Sarah Franklin managed 12 kills but needed 47 attempts to achieve them, finishing with a .128 hitting percentage.

First Set: A Nail-Biter

The first set showcased the tension of an Elite Eight matchup. Both teams traded points early, with Wisconsin gaining the first major advantage at 11-7, thanks to out-of-system kills by Carter Booth and Franklin.

Nebraska found momentum behind Landfair’s consecutive kills to lead 20-16. The Huskers then surged on a 5-0 run, sparked by setter Bergen Reilly’s defensive heroics, including an impressive save on a hard spike from Franklin.

The Badgers fought back to tie the score at 24, but Nebraska clinched the final two points. Landfair sealed the set with a powerful cross-court kill, giving Nebraska a 26-24 victory.

Second Set: Pure Dominance

Nebraska carried their first-set momentum into the second, with a stellar start fueled by Jackson’s sharp corner attacks and Rodriguez’s pivotal digs. The Huskers quickly built an 8-2 lead, with Beason serving an ace during her six-point streak.

As Nebraska continued to dominate, the Devaney Center erupted with cheers.
“I haven’t heard Devaney this loud in a long time,” Cook said. “Every point was electric.”

The Huskers closed the set with four of the last five points, including a critical kill from Beason after a powerful block by Wisconsin. Nebraska’s 25-17 win left no doubt about their control over the match.

Third Set: A Strong Finish

The final set saw Wisconsin briefly gain a 16-15 lead, but Nebraska responded with back-to-back kills from Murray, pulling ahead 20-17. Murray’s back-row attacks proved pivotal, as UW coach Kelly Sheffield acknowledged:
“She’s explosive,” Sheffield said. “We couldn’t stop her in the back row, and that made a huge difference.”

With Nebraska leading 23-20, Murray and middle blocker Bekka Allick combined to block Wisconsin’s Devyn Robinson. Moments later, the Huskers sealed the victory with another block on Robinson, securing the final point for a 25-21 win.

On to Louisville

The Huskers’ victory sends them to the Final Four in Louisville, Kentucky, where they’ll face the host team on Thursday night. Nebraska’s relentless effort, especially on defense, and their ability to capitalize on critical moments have made them a formidable contender in the tournament.

“This year, it’s all about excitement,” Cook said. “We know how good Wisconsin is; beating them feels incredible.”

With their eyes on a national title, Nebraska continues to prove why they’re one of the most dominant programs in college volleyball.