Nebraska volleyball moves up to No. 5 in AVCA coaches poll, Kubik named Big Ten Player of the Week
Nebraska volleyball has jumped up one spot to No. 5 in the AVCA coaches poll after sweeping Iowa and Purdue.
One week after beating the Huskers in four sets, Ohio State lost to two unranked teams. Maryland upset the Buckeyes 3-1 on Friday and then Indiana took down OSU in five sets on Sunday. The Buckeyes dropped from No. 5 to No. 8.
Ohio State’s two losses moved them from tied for first place in the Big Ten with Wisconsin to third place behind Nebraska at second.
Last week, the Huskers beat unranked Iowa 25-14, 25-17, 25-14 on Friday in Coralville, Iowa. Nebraska hit .330 and had three hitters with 10 kills or more. Libero Lexi Rodriguez had 19 digs, seven assists and one ace.
On Sunday, Nebraska swept Purdue 25-22, 25-20, 25-11 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Boilermakers stayed at No. 19 after the Huskers swept them for the second time this season.
Three takes from No. 6 Nebraska’s dominating sweep over Iowa
NU’s defense was on point as it held Purdue to a .016 hitting percentage. Nebraska volleyball hit .192 against Purdue.
As for the rest of the Big Ten, six teams in the conference ranked in the top 25. Wisconsin is still at No. 3 after a five-set scare against Penn State on Saturday. Minnesota is still at No. 9 after losing to the Nittany Lions 3-1 on Friday. Penn State jumped up three spots to No. 11.
Three takes from Nebraska sweeping Purdue to head into a huge final weekend of the Big Ten
The top four teams heading into the final week of the regular season are Texas, San Diego, Wisconsin and Louisville.
Creighton is just outside the top 10 at No. 15. They are now 25-4 overall and 17-1 in the Big East Conference. They were swept at Marquette on Saturday which ended their 17-game winning streak.
Next, the Bluejays are hosting the Big East tournament. They play the winner of Xavier and Butler on Nov. 25 at 7:00 p.m.. The Championship is on FS2 on Nov. 26 at 5:00 p.m.
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Nebraska volleyball has a huge week as well. They are hosting No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 9 Minnesota. If they beat both teams, the Huskers will win at least a share of the Big Ten title.
The Huskers have their destiny in their own hands, how they prefer it.
Kubik receives Big Ten weekly honor
Nebraska senior outside hitter Madi Kubik was named the Big Ten Player of the Week. This is Kubik’s first selection for a Big Ten weekly honor this season but fourth career honor.
Kubik averaged 5.17 kills per set, 3.33 digs and hit .347 over both matches. She added 5.33 points per set.
She led Nebraska volleyball with 14 kills, nine digs and hit .407 against Iowa.
On Sunday, the senior captain posted a double-double. She had a season-high 17 kills, 11 digs and hit .311. Kubik added 11 perfect service receptions as well.
The 6-foot-2 outside hitter leads Nebraska with 302 kills this season and is second in digs with 210.
Nebraska volleyball will need Kubik to play at this level to beat Wisconsin and Minnesota this week and win the Big Ten championship for the first time since 2017.