Amber Aniston • October 6, 2024

Nebraska Volleyball Dominates Iowa in Straight Sets for 11th Consecutive Victory

The No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers continued their dominance in the Big Ten Conference, sweeping the Iowa Hawkeyes 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. In front of a lively crowd of 8,667, Nebraska delivered a commanding performance, winning 25-17, 25-11, and 25-13. This victory marks the Huskers' 11th consecutive win, improving their overall record to 14-1 and 4-0 in Big Ten play.


Nebraska’s Offense and Defense Dominate

The Cornhuskers' offense and defense were firing on all cylinders. Nebraska hit an impressive .404 as a team while holding Iowa to a .155 hitting percentage. The team’s aggressive serving was another key factor, with Nebraska racking up seven service aces and only one service error throughout the match. Lexi Rodriguez led the Huskers with three aces and 12 digs, providing crucial points and stabilizing the defense.


Merritt Beason was a standout performer, recording 10 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and adding five digs. Leyla Blackwell also had a season-best performance with nine kills on .692 hitting, along with a solo block. Rebekah Allick contributed nine kills on .583 hitting and added two aces to the Huskers' dominant effort.


Strong Start Leads to a Sweep

Nebraska set the tone early in the first set, taking an 8-4 lead behind Blackwell’s three kills and a solo block. Iowa managed to tie the game at 10-10, but the Huskers quickly responded with a 4-0 run, including key kills from Beason and Murray. Nebraska maintained control for the rest of the set, closing it out with a 25-17 victory.


The second set saw Nebraska dominate even more decisively. After Iowa took a brief 2-1 lead, Nebraska went on an 11-3 run, capitalizing on Iowa’s five straight service errors. The Huskers' middles were unstoppable, as Allick and Blackwell combined for multiple kills to extend the lead to 16-6. The Huskers closed the second set 25-11, with strong serving and efficient attacking.


In the third and final set, Nebraska continued to overwhelm Iowa, jumping to a 7-3 lead early. The Hawkeyes managed to cut the deficit to 13-5, but Nebraska responded with a 9-1 run, led by Harper Murray’s kill and Bergen Reilly’s service ace. The Huskers finished the match with a 25-13 win, securing the sweep.


Iowa’s Struggles and Bright Spots

Despite the loss, Iowa saw strong performances from key players. Senior Michelle Urquhart led the Hawkeyes with 11 kills on a .269 hitting percentage. Sophomore Hannah Whittingstall and senior Gracie Gibson also contributed with seven and six kills, respectively. However, Iowa struggled with consistency, committing too many errors to keep pace with Nebraska’s relentless attack.


Iowa’s offense showed promise in moments, particularly in the first set when they tied the game at 10-10. However, they were unable to sustain that level of play, and Nebraska’s aggressive serving and sharp execution kept the Hawkeyes from gaining any momentum.


Nebraska's Depth Shines Again

One of the highlights of Nebraska’s season has been their depth, and Sunday’s match was no exception. The Huskers were without sophomore outside hitter Andi Jackson for the second straight match due to injury, but other players stepped up in her absence. Blackwell, Beason, and Reilly all delivered standout performances, while Lindsay Krause added five kills in the third set alone.


Nebraska’s ability to rotate players and maintain a high level of play has been a hallmark of their season, and it was on full display in this match. Head coach John Cook emphasized the importance of training everyone on the roster, and that preparation paid off once again as the Huskers cruised to victory.


Looking Ahead

With the win over Iowa, Nebraska remains undefeated in Big Ten play. The Huskers will now prepare for their next challenge against No. 10 Purdue on Friday, October 11, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match will be televised on the Big Ten Network, offering Nebraska another opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.



Iowa, now 8-8 on the season and 2-2 in Big Ten play, will look to regroup when they face Rutgers and Purdue in their next matches at home.

Nebraska’s victory solidifies their position as one of the top teams in the country, and their dominant performance against Iowa only adds to the excitement as the season progresses.

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