The #2 Nebraska Volleyball team had plenty of hype to live up to heading into its season opener against No. 9 Kentucky in the first televised college volleyball game of the season. Fresh off the release of E60’s “No Place Like Nebraska”, There was no shortage of attention and spotlight for the Huskers.

Despite looking a bit rough offensively, Nebraska picked up the Wildcats in a four-set victory. Harper Murray And Lindsay Krause certainly didn’t have their best night, but it was the middle blockers who took the lead. Rebekah Allick wanted some attention from her own teammate Andi Jackson made headlines after her masterful performance in the Red-White Scrimmage. Allick posted 12 blocks with 11 kills on a .667 hitting percentage, while Jackson added 10 of her own at a .412 clip as the Huskers posted 18 blocks for their highest total since 2018.

Nebraska now turns its attention to its home opener this weekend for the Ameritas Players Challenge. Oklahoma, TCU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will all come to Lincoln, with the Huskers taking on the latter two.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Ameritas Players Challenge.

How to participate

Match: No. 2 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center

When: Friday, August 30, 7:00 PM CDT

Watch: Nebraska Public Media

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and affiliates

Texas A&M Corpus Christi Scout

Head coach: Steve Greene | 8th season | 135-100 record at school | Winningest coach in school history

2023 record: 22-10 (16-2 Southland, 2nd) | Swept by #1 Southeastern in Southland Conference Tournament final

Record against Nebraska: 0-1 (2022)

Main returnees: Kyndal Payne, OH, Sr. | Leah Stolfus, MB, Sr. | Kayla White, L, Sr.

Main deviations: Belle Morgan, S (Admission Requirements) | Morgan Smith, MB (Admission Requirements)

Prospect: The Islanders return three of their four all-conference performers from last season and should once again be at the top of the Southland Conference and contending for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Steve Greene is entering his 8th season at Corpus-Christi and he knows how to win, leading the Islanders to three of their four NCAA Tournament appearances in school history.

Returning senior winger Kyndal Payne will be a big proponent of that push. Payne has excelled in her time under Greene, earning two AVCA Honorable Mentions, three All-Southland selections and the 2023 Southland Player of the Year in her three seasons. Fellow senior Leah Stolfus will anchor the center after claiming back-to-back Southland All-Conference First Team honors. She’s a weapon up the middle, averaging over three kills per set for two straight years. Kayla White returns to the starting libero position after leading Corpus Christi with a 4.37 digs per set mark. She led all Southland liberos in passing average and good pass percentage in 2023.

Setter will be a question mark for the Islanders. Gone is 2023 Southland Setter of the Year and AVCA Honorable Mention Belle Morgan. Morgan was a hit out of the portal for Greene, and he’s headed back there. 5-6 graduate student Alex Hoglund arrives with the Islanders after four seasons with San Diego, where she was part of the 2022 team that reached the NCAA Final Four. Hoglund didn’t get much playing time with the Toreros, finishing with just under 200 assists in her four seasons, including 131 in her senior year. Junior Rylie Romero will also be in contention for the spot after starting in 21 games in her sophomore season.

How to participate

Match: #2 Nebraska vs. TCU

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center

When: Saturday, August 31, 7:30pm CDT

Watch: B1G+

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and affiliates

TCU Explorer

Head coach: Jason Williams | 3rd season | 34-26 record at school

2023 record: 17-15 (8-10 Big 12, 8th)

Record against Nebraska: 0-1 (2016)

Main returnees: Melanie Parra, OH, Sr. | Jalyn Gibson, OH, Jr. | Cecily Bramschreiber, L, Sr.

Main deviations: Brianna Green, MB (Admission Requirements) | Audrey Nalls, OH (Admission Requirements)

Prospect: After finishing below .500 four times from 2017-2021, TCU poached Baylor Associate Head Coach Jason Williams and the program has gone from strength to strength ever since. The Horn Frogs have reached back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in his first two seasons, both finishing in the Round of 32.

TCU loses firepower with the graduations of standout middle blocker Brianna Green and winger Audrey Nalls, who scored over 400 points and was named to the 2023 All-Big 12 Second Team. Williams, however, has its best player back, with AVCA Third Team All-American winger Melanie Parra returning for her senior season. The Mexican-born player recorded two 34-kill performances last year, earning her AVCA National Player of the Week honors. She finished the year with 482 kills, 47 aces, 266 digs and 70 blocks while setting the school single-season record with 569 points.

Joining Parra will be 6-2 forward Jalyn Gibson. Gibson was selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team last season, averaged 3.24 kills per set and hit a team-best .259 in 28 matches. Cecily Bramschreiber provides stability and experience as a libero. She started all 32 matches for the Horn Frogs last year and recorded 464 digs (3.68 per set) and 26 aces. She has had an interesting career in Fort Worth, where she played outside hitter during her injury-shortened sophomore season before returning to libero the following year.

Let’s not forget the freshmen. Williams has put TCU recruiting on a major upswing, landing the No. 9-ranked recruiting class of last cycle, according to PrepVolleyball.com. Mikala Young walks into a loaded hitter’s room with Perra and Gibson, but she was ranked as the No. 46 overall prospect and No. 15 in the state of Texas. Alice Volpe is blocked by Bramschreiber, but she may see more action with volleyball’s brand-new two-libero rule. She was the No. 83 overall prospect out of Texas and earned AVCA First Team All-American honors as a senior.

TCU has been fairly competitive against ranked teams in Williams’ two seasons. The Horn Frogs have defeated three ranked opponents in 2023, including No. 20 Baylor back-to-back nights and No. 22 Florida State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska is still the heavy favorite, but Tuesday showed some rust on this 2024 Husker team. If Nebraska stumbles, don’t be surprised if TCU gives NOW trouble.

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