Nancy Turner
Dec 18, 2023 - 12:25

NCAA volleyball championship: Texas sweeps Nebraska - Volleyballmag.com

Texas Longhorns destroyed Nebraska in the NCAA Volleyball Championship with a serving display like few others, winning back-to-back titles.

The seventh-seeded Longhorns dominated Nebraska in the NCAA Division I Volleyball Championship title match, winning 25-22, 25-14, 25-11. Texas put on a serving display like few others, with 12 aces, including seven in the second set. Madisen Skinner, who led with 16 kills, had two aces, and setter Ella Swindle had two as well. Asjia O'Neal had five aces, including the match winner, in addition to four kills, three blocks, and three digs.

After being down 10-7 in the second set, Texas outscored Nebraska 43-18. One year ago, Texas ended the title match with a walk-off ace, and this year, Asjia O'Neal saved her best match for last with a walk-off ace, her fifth of the match.

In addition to her 16 kills, Skinner had five digs and a block, while Jenna Wenaas had nine kills, two assists, two digs, and four blocks. Setter Ella Swindle had five kills, 21 assists, seven digs, and a block. The team hit .264, .481 in the third set.

Nebraska struggled offensively, hitting .013, .000 in the third set. Harper Murray, aced on the last play, had seven kills, two aces, five digs, and three blocks. Andi Jackson had four kills and three blocks, and Bekka Allick had three kills.

The crowd of 19,727 set another attendance record in a season of attendance and TV-ratings records.

Texas ran a clinic on Nebraska for 11 points after being down 10-7 in the second set. They responded incredibly well to their next timeout, scoring 11 consecutive points.

Nebraska's task was to pull a reverse sweep, but Texas secured their victory in three sets. This was Texas' 10th appearance in the national title match, and they have now won five NCAA titles. Nebraska, making their 11th appearance in a national semifinal or final, has won five NCAA titles.