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Women’s volleyball on FOX continues this weekend with the Players Era Volleyball Showcase in Las Vegas.
Top-ranked Nebraska capped a dominant weekend at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas with a straight-sets sweep over No. 2 Texas.
The showdown between the nation’s top two teams carried extra weight for some members of Nebraska’s senior class following their 2023 national championship loss to the Longhorns.
Before their Sunday clash, Nebraska opened tournament play with a 3-0 sweep against UNLV, while Texas earned a sweep over No. 18 TCU.
Here are the top moments and results from each match:
No. 1 Nebraska Sweeps UNLV
The Cornhuskers opened up its Players Era Volleyball Showcase against UNLV at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.
In the first set, the Cornhuskers opened up with an early 6-0 run over the Rebels. While UNLV found a way back to close in on a 12-10 score, the Cornhuskers took off again and eventually took the first set 25-18. Outside hitters Teraya Sigler and Harper Murray both led the way with five kills a piece.
UNLV responded in the second set with a 3-2 lead. However, it did not stop the Cornhuskers as they jumped up to a 7-3 lead thanks to service errors and a block assist by Murray and middle blocker Andi Jackson. To close out the second set, the Cornhuskers dominated and accumulated an 11-4 run that earned them a 25-15 win.
The final set went to Nebraska in dominant fashion. The Cornhuskers took off fast, rallying to an early 15-5 lead. While UNLV only cut the margin to 22-13, the Cornhuskers completed the sweep with a 25-16 win. The Cornhuskers continue tournament competition against No. 2 Texas on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. PT.
No. 2 Texas Sweeps No. 18 TCU
The No. 2 Texas Longhorns swept the No. 18 TCU Horned Frogs 3-0 at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas.
Senior outside hitter Torrey Stafford paced the Longhorn offense with 12 kills, while middle blocker Nya Bunton contributed 10 kills and freshman Henley Anderson stepped up with eight kills, two aces, five digs, and five blocks.
The opening set saw 13 lead changes and seven ties. After Vander Wal exited with the score knotted at 20-20, TCU capitalized to earn several set points. Stafford helped stave off set point at 26-26, and Texas eventually secured the 30-28 win on a Cari Spears kill following a Horned Frog attack error. TCU’s net defense, led by Becca Kelley and Kinsley Young, kept the second set close through 15 ties, but a late kill from Bunton and a set-ending swing from Stafford gave Texas a 25-23 win.
In the third set, Texas surrendered an early lead to let TCU back into the match before regaining control down the stretch. Key blocks from Bunton, a crucial video challenge win on a TCU net violation, and a final middle kill from Stafford sealed the 25-23 victory to complete the sweep.
No. 1 Nebraska Sweeps No. 2 Texas
In a battle between the top two ranked teams in the nation, No. 1 Nebraska took down No. 2 Texas in straight sets at the Players Era Volleyball Showcase.
Top-ranked Nebraska set the pace early with strong defense, winning the first two sets with 25-19 scores. Texas began to climb back in both sets, but Nebraska held off the rallies before controlling the third set from the opening point to win 25-16.
Andi Jackson led Nebraska with nine kills on 14 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Harper Murray added eight kills and three blocks, while Manaia Ogbechie recorded seven kills and seven blocks. Teraya Sigler contributed seven kills and two aces, and setter Bergen Reilly provided 30 assists, five digs, two kills, and two aces.
Setter Bergen Reilly orchestrated an efficient offense, led by Andi Jackson’s team-high nine kills. Teraya Sigler added key attacks and blocks while contributing two of Nebraska’s seven service aces to secure the sweep.
The match carried extra significance for Nebraska’s senior class, four of whom were on the roster during a straight-sets loss to the Longhorns in the 2023 national championship game.
