The No. 15 Indiana Hoosiers were swept by the No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Thursday, losing 15-25, 19-25 and 19-25.
In the first set, the Cornhuskers jumped out to an early 4-1 lead thanks to kills from Manaia Ogbechie, Andi Jackson, Virginia Adriano and Harper Murray. Nebraska continued to have the momentum early, and a Teraya Sigler kill made the lead 8-2 and forced Coach Steve Aird to take an early timeout. Out of the break, the Hoosiers responded well. An ace from Avry Tatum coupled with a kill from Ella Boersema cut the deficit to four at 9-5. Nebraska pushed the lead to 12-7 after another kill from Sigler, and after a couple of attack errors from the Hoosiers, the Cornhuskers held a 15-9 lead heading into the media timeout.
Out of the break, Nebraska extended the lead to 17-9 after two kills from Bergen Reilly. A service error from the Hoosiers and another Sigler kill extended the Cornhusker lead to 19-10, forcing Aird to use his last timeout of the set. Indiana continued to make service errors, allowing Nebraska to stay in front for the rest of the set. A block assist from Adriano punctuated a dominating set for Nebraska, giving them a 25-15 win in set one.
In the second set, Nebraska jumped out to another 4-1 lead thanks to kills from Adriano and Andi Jackson. Jaidyn Jager responded with a kill, but Nebraska continued to hold the momentum. A kill from Adriano coupled with an ace from Laney Choboy made the score 8-3 favoring the Cornhuskers. A kill from Ogbechie coupled with a block assist from Murray made the score 12-7 favoring Nebraska, The Hoosiers were able to cut the lead to three after a block from Jager and an attack error from Andi Jackson, making the score 13-10. Murray added two kills right after, giving Nebraska a 15-11 lead heading into the media timeout.
Out of the timeout, a kill from Andi Jackson coupled with Hoosier errors gave Nebraska a 18-12 advantage. Sara Snowbarger and Jager responded with kills of their own, cutting the lead to 18-14. The Cornhuskers punched right back, with kills from Ogbechie and Sigler giving Nebraska a 20-14 lead, forcing Indiana to use a timeout to try and stop the momentum. Boersema added a kill right away, but Nebraska once again put an end to any hopes of a late Indiana comeback. Kills from Andi Jackson and Murray gave Nebraska a 24-18 lead and pushed the Hoosiers to the brink. A kill from Murray capped off the set, giving Nebraska a 25-19 win and a two set lead.
In the third set, the Hoosiers jumped out to an early 3-1 lead thanks to strong play at the net from Tatum and Nebraska errors. Murray responded, contributing two kills for the Cornhuskers and after another kill from Sigler, Nebraska held a 5-4 lead. Kills from Andi Jackson and Sigler made the score 7-4, and after a Murray ace, Indiana was forced to use an early timeout.
Boersema and Tatum added two kills out of the break, cutting the lead to 8-6. Boersema and Jager added kills right after, and after a block from Kiki Granberry and an ace from Boersema, the Hoosiers held a 12-10 lead. Nebraska punched right back, with a kill from Ogbechie and an ace from Olivia Mauch making the score 13-13. Mauch added another ace right after, and a thunderous kill from Murray gave the Cornhuskers a 15-14 lead heading into the media timeout.
After the media timeout, a kill from Tatum made the score 15-15, but from then on it was all Nebraska. Kills from Andi Jackson and Murray made the score 17-15, and after a Reilly kill and arguably the best individual play of the night from Murray, Coach Aird used his last timeout with the score being 19-15. Indiana seemed like they had a surefire point that would have made the score 18-16, but Murray was able to run down the kill attempt and then add a kill of her own right after.
Boersema added two kills out of the timeout, but Nebraska once again responded. Sigler and Ogbechie each contributed a kill, making the score 21-17. After an Indiana service error and two blocks from Kenna Cogill, the Cornhuskers clinched the victory after a 25-19 win in set three.
One of the key takeaways from tonight’s game was definitely how battle-tested Nebraska was compared to Indiana. Aird spoke about how Nebraska has played in these environments all season while Indiana is still getting their feet wet in these marquee games.
“The more we are in these environments, we live and we learn. We are legit and Nebraska was hitting from the beginning,” head coach Steve Aird said postgame.
Indiana is still playing at a very high level so far this season. When it comes to these ranked matchups for the rest of the season, however, Aird says that one thing stands out when it comes to Indiana improving: “We have to start on time and be cleaner.”
The Hoosiers are back in Wilkinson Hall to take on the USC Trojans on Sunday. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
