Nebraska’s volleyball team is maintaining a playful atmosphere as they prepare to face Kansas in the NCAA Regional Round of 16. The Huskers enter the match boasting an impressive 32-0 record, accompanied by high expectations of advancing to the Final Four. Acknowledging the mounting pressure, both players and coaching staff are focusing on keeping practices enjoyable and honing in on each match rather than the broader championship goals.
“We still have a lot of fun in our practice, so even though the level is so high, we’re still managing to find ways to have fun,” said junior middle blocker Andi Jackson, who has notably excelled this season, leading the nation with a hitting percentage of .483 while averaging 1.14 blocks per set.
Fellow junior outside hitter Harper Murray emphasized the importance of staying present, stating, “If you look too far into the future, you’re probably going to get a little nervous and get a little stressed out. So just really focusing on what we’re doing in the moment and focusing on where our feet are.”
The top-seeded Nebraska team will take on the 16th-ranked Kansas on Friday, December 12, with the match scheduled to start 30 minutes after the matchup between the second-seeded Louisville and third-seeded Texas A&M, which kicks off at 6 p.m. CT.
In a display of camaraderie, Nebraska’s head coach Dani Busboom Kelly extended an invitation to Louisville’s coaching staff for dinner before the regional matches, choosing the local favorite Runza for their meal.
As the tournament progresses, Nebraska’s blend of high performance and a fun training environment could be the perfect recipe for success, fostering a resilient and motivated team ready to face the challenges ahead.