Nebraska Huskers Sweep Long Island, Advance in NCAA Tournament
The top-ranked Nebraska Huskers demonstrated their dominance in the NCAA Tournament by sweeping Long Island University 25-11, 25-15, 25-17 on March 15, 2024. The match took place at John Cook Arena, where a crowd of 8,656 witnessed Nebraska’s impressive performance, maintaining their undefeated season record of 31-0.
Nebraska’s offense operated at an exceptional level, achieving a remarkable .476 hitting percentage, marking the highest in the program’s postseason history during the rally-scoring era. Defensively, the Huskers stifled Long Island, limiting them to a mere .094 hitting percentage. This match represented the 14th time this season that Nebraska has held an opponent below .100, showcasing their defensive prowess.
Leading Nebraska’s charge was middle blocker Andi Jackson, who delivered a standout performance with 10 kills and five blocks, hitting an impressive .833. This achievement set a new school record for hitting percentage in a postseason match. Teammate Rebekah Allick nearly matched Jackson’s performance, contributing 10 kills on a .750 hitting percentage, which ranks among the top three postseason performances in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska’s depth was evident as outside hitters Harper Murray and Taylor Landfair each added seven kills, while Virginia Adriano contributed six. Setter Bergen Reilly orchestrated the offense with precision, recording 39 assists and 11 digs, marking her ninth double-double of the season. Reilly’s steady performance tied her with libero Olivia Mauch for the team lead in digs.
The match showcased Nebraska’s comprehensive control, as they outperformed Long Island with a 47-24 advantage in kills, a 10-2 edge in blocks, and a 5-1 lead in service aces. The team also dominated the defensive side of the net, recording 39 digs compared to Long Island’s 25.
Nebraska established their dominance early in the first set, launching a 4-0 run that set the tone for the match. Allick’s kill ignited the surge, followed by a block from Jackson and Adriano that left Long Island on the back foot. The Huskers continued to attack relentlessly, culminating in a 7-0 run that broke the set wide open. Murray contributed two aces during this stretch, energizing the crowd and closing the set at 25-11 with Nebraska hitting .615 while limiting Long Island to just .034.
The second set mirrored this commanding performance. Teraya Sigler opened with an ace, and Murray and Allick followed suit with kills to build a quick 4-0 lead. Nebraska’s middle hitters continued to overpower Long Island’s defense, with Adriano and Allick teaming up for a block that extended the lead to 15-7 at the media timeout. Two consecutive aces from Reilly further widened the gap, and Allick’s two final kills sealed the set at 25-15.
The third set continued in a similar vein, with Nebraska surging to a 7-1 lead thanks to two kills and two blocks from Jackson. The Huskers maintained their momentum, with Allick and Sigler contributing to a 15-5 advantage. Freshman Skyler Pierce added her mark with a powerful kill, and Nebraska’s bench stepped up with Manaia Ogbechie contributing two kills. The Huskers finished strong, closing out the set and the match with a commanding 25-17 victory.
With this victory, Nebraska advances to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, continuing their pursuit of championship glory. The Huskers’ performance not only highlighted their offensive firepower but also their exceptional teamwork and defensive capabilities, setting the stage for what lies ahead in the tournament.
