Nebraska Volleyball vs Iowa Preview and Watch Thread

#1 Nebraska (26-0, B1G 17-0) vs Iowa (8-21, B1G 0-17)
When: Sunday, November 19, 2023, 2:00 pm (CT)
Where: Iowa City, IA
Stream: BTN+
Radio: Husker Radio Network
Live stats

The differences between Nebraska and Iowa volleyball far outnumber the similarities. Nebraska is 17-0 in conference play while Iowa is 0-17. Iowa has five seniors while Nebraska has none. John Cook is in his 23rd year as the head coach of Nebraska while Jim Barnes is in his second as the head coach of Iowa.

Statistically, there are differences too. Nebraska averages a .288 hitting percentage while Iowa’s is .188. Huskers earn 2.52 blocks per set while Iowa averages 1.82. Iowa struggles in serve receive and has made 164 reception errors (ball is not returnable) this season while Nebraska’s made 65.

While those differences mean something in the lead up and preparation for this match, once the first whistle blows, they are far less important than the biggest similarity shared between these team; they want to win.

Super simple; Iowa will play to win. Now they get their first and likely only chance at the nation’s top team, and won’t want to waste it. First, they will aim to win mini games inside the game; be the first team to reach five points or limit reception errors to one per set. If those mini games are successful then they work to expand to larger goals like first to 20 points or attack a specific player with their serves.

Iowa will play to win today and Nebraska needs to continue to sharpen their skills, match preparation and focus as they progress to the end of the season.

Coach Cook said he wants to see less serving errors in the coming matches. He was pleased with the team’s play against Michigan on Friday but still saw 10 service errors on 74 attempts.

This is also the time of year when teams add one or two offensive options to their play book so they are more dynamic and so it is more difficult for opposing teams to scout. For example, there is an entire season of video where Merritt Beason hits right side for five rotations and left side in one rotation. Nebraska could move Beason to a high ball in the middle of the court one time through the rotations as an additional option and also a play other teams haven’t seen from Nebraska.

The message in the Nebraska locker room is keep the focus. Zone in on the repetitions we take and execute those reps they way we practice them. This is a three set win for the Huskers. GBR!

#1 Nebraska (26-0, B1G 17-0)

#2 Bergen Reilly 6’1’’ FR Setter
#5 Bekka Allick 6’4’’ SO MB
#6 Laney Choboy 5’3’’ FR DS/L
#7 Maisie Boesiger 5’6’’ SO DS/L
#8 Lexi Rodriguez 5’5’’ JR DS/L
#9 Kennedi Orr 6’0’’ JR Setter
#10 Caroline Jurevicius 6’2‘‘ FR OH
#11 Hayden Kubik 6’2’’ SO OH
#13 Merritt Beason 6’4’’ JR OH
#14 Ally Batenhorst 6’5’’ JR OH
#15 Andi Jackson 6’3‘‘ FR MB
#22 Lindsay Krause 6’4’’ JR OH
#27 Harper Murray 6’2’’ FR OH
#44 Maggie Mendelson 6’5’’ SO MB

Iowa (8-21, B1G 0-17)
#1 Nataly Moravec 6’2’’ FR OH
#4 Sydney Dennis 5’5’’ SO Libero
#6 Delaney McSweeney 6’7’’ SR MB
#7 Caitlan Buettner 6’2’’ SR OH
#8 Anna Davis 6’1’’ JR MB
#12 Bailey Ortega 5’9’’ SR Setter
#15 Michelle Urquhart 6’0’’ JR OH
#17 Kaia Mateo 5’11’’ FR Setter