3 thoughts on Creighton and other tests for Nebraska volleyball this week

It’s still a little hard to believe that SMU swept the Nebraska volleyball team but as we have seen with Texas, nothing is a given in this sport.

The Huskers overlooked SMU. They weren’t ready to play and head coach John Cook called them out for it. Nebraska volleyball has since swept the Citadel and Montana State but neither of those teams is a challenge.

However, another test awaits tonight. There are actually two this week as Nebraska volleyball will face ninth-ranked Creighton tonight at the Bob at 7 PM CST on the Big Ten Network.

It’s always intense when Nebraska and Creighton go at it. But the Bluejays have never beaten Nebraska volleyball (0-20). However, they are ranked ninth right now and have started the season 5-0.

Nebraska will also face 14th-ranked Arizona State on Friday (7 PM CST) along with Wichita State on Saturday at 2 PM CST. Here are three thoughts on the week ahead for the Huskers.

A true test for Nebraska volleyball defense

It’s easy to say the Huskers bounced back against Montana State and the Citadel, but Nebraska volleyball fans have been waiting for the Creighton match because that’s when we’ll truly find out about the Huskers.

The SMU match was troubling. Nebraska has struggled with serve-receive before and it killed them again. They have to be solid in that area, plus they need not serve a bunch out of play.

Unforced errors hurt in any sport. Nebraska is too good for that and we should see a sharper performance tonight in a matchup of top-10 teams at the BOB.

Kendra Wait, the Big East Player and Setter of the Year in 2023 leads a Creighton offense that ranks eighth nationally in hitting (.308). They are also 4th in kills per set with an average of 14.69. Norah Sis is a name to know as an outside hitter, as well as middle blocker Elise Goetzinger.

Yet, the Huskers have allowed opponents to hit just .163 so far this season. SMU is the only team that has hit over .200. Creighton and Arizona State are each ranked in the top 10 overall in hitting, so the Nebraska defense will be tested, just as the Huskers will be.

Offense needs to get into high gear

Nebraska is hitting .295 so far this season, which isn’t bad. Yet, with all of the talent on this roster in terms of hitters, plus one of the best setters in college volleyball, it feels like the offense hasn’t hit its full stride yet.

Following two top-15 matches this week, Nebraska will play two top-5 opponents next week. So if the Huskers aren’t in mid-season form yet, it’s time to get there.

Merritt Beason has really struggled offensively, hitting just .140 so far this season. The All-American in 2023 also has just three service aces this season compared to 12 errors.

Nebraska volleyball is hitting a better percentage than last season but the schedule gets tougher now and the offense needs to be sharper.

It’s not a rivalry till Creighton wins

Just asking, but can something really be called a rivalry when Nebraska has won 20 matches compared to zero losses against the Bluejays?

I understand they are in-state rivals, but it hasn’t been much of a rivalry in a competitive sense. This match should be interesting and if the Bluejays pull off the win, I’ll change my tune.

That being said, Nebraska volleyball considers it a “rivalry” game, and here’s what Lindsey Krause had to say about the Bluejays earlier this week:

“It’s something that we always look forward to as our in-state rivalry game,” Krause said. “I think our program, coaches, and all of our players have so much respect for Creighton and everything that they do as a team every single year. It’s something that we just really look forward to, getting to host them here in Bob again.”

Creighton desperately wants that first win, just like Nebraska desperately wants to improve to 21-0. Yes, it’s a rivalry but the tenor will change if the Bluejays can finally start acting like an equal.

It would be better to put them back in their place.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.