Full Breakdown
Nebraska Volleyball Triumphs Over Creighton in Spring Exhibition
4/19/2026, 3:00:59 AM
Match Overview
On April 17, 2026, the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team faced off against in-state rival Creighton in a spring exhibition match at D.J. Sokol Arena in Omaha, Nebraska. The Huskers secured a 3-1 victory, winning the first three sets with scores of 25-19, 25-18, and 25-15, before dropping the fourth set 25-15. The match drew a crowd of 2,374 fans.
Key Performers
Sophomore outside hitter Teraya Sigler led the Huskers with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .647. Her performance was particularly notable as she did not commit any hitting errors throughout the match. Kenna Cogill, a redshirt freshman middle blocker, also made a significant impact, finishing with a perfect hitting percentage of 1.000, going 5-for-5 in kills. Other contributors included Andi Jackson and Harper Murray, each with four kills, while Bergen Reilly and Campbell Flynn combined for 38 assists.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
In the first set, Nebraska established an early lead, with Sigler contributing six kills. The Huskers maintained control, closing the set with a kill from Keoni Williams. The second set saw Nebraska continue its momentum, overcoming a brief challenge from Creighton to secure a 25-18 win. The third set was dominated by Nebraska, who hit .467 as a team, leading to a decisive 25-15 victory.
The fourth set marked a shift in momentum as Creighton surged ahead, taking a 7-1 lead. Despite Nebraska's efforts to rally, the Bluejays maintained their advantage, ultimately winning the set 25-15. Nebraska's hitting percentage plummeted to .075 in this set, with 12 hitting errors contributing to their struggles.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly commented on the match, stating, “Our level was really high for three sets... but we took a step back in others, which is typical for the spring match when teams are changing lineups.” She expressed confidence in her team's ability to learn from the experience, emphasizing the positives observed during the match.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the overall victory, the fourth set's performance raised concerns among fans and analysts. Critics pointed out the high number of errors and the team's inability to adapt to Creighton's strategies during that set. However, Coach Kelly downplayed the significance of the fourth set, indicating it was a learning opportunity rather than a cause for concern.
What's Next
Nebraska's next match is scheduled for April 25, 2026, against Northern Colorado at the Chicoine Center in Chadron, Nebraska. This will be the Huskers' final spring match before the regular season begins.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think the most important thing is that mentally, I am stronger,” — Teraya Sigler, Outside Hitter
- “A lot of people talk about how redshirting is horrible, but I saw it as an opportunity to grow, so it didn't set me back,” — Kenna Cogill, Middle Blocker
- “We got rolled in game four, so I wouldn’t say we handled (the adversity) very well, but there were some good things that we saw,” — Dani Busboom Kelly, Head Coach
This exhibition match showcased Nebraska's strengths and areas for improvement as they prepare for the upcoming season, highlighting the potential of players like Sigler and Cogill.
