‘Blocking is effort’: A closer look at Nebraska volleyball’s top-ranked defense

Nebraska has overwhelmed 13 of its 14 opponents this season, so opponents often return to the locker room with a defeated feeling. However there’s one other emotion, too.

That is deflation. Nebraska’s glorious protection prevents groups from doing what they’d hoped to do offensively.

As faculty volleyball enters Week 7, Nebraska has the No. 1-ranked protection within the nation — Husker opponents are hitting simply .113 in 14 matches.

Third-ranked Nebraska (13-1) will intention for an additional stout effort on protection when it performs at No. 24 Michigan at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Michigan options one of many prime offenses within the nation. So did Kentucky earlier this season, however Nebraska held the Wildcats to a season-worst .141 hitting share, effectively beneath its common (.302).

“I like coaching protection,” Nebraska coach John Cook dinner stated on the Nebraska volleyball radio present. “I like having a defensive mindset. Protection is a whole lot of effort. One of many nice issues about watching (the Husker soccer workforce beat Indiana 35-21 final week) was the protection gave nice effort, and it rewarded them.”

In volleyball, enjoying nice protection is a mixture of athleticism, preparation, approach and energy. When making an attempt a block, the angle of a defender’s hand being even barely off the mark might be the distinction between an enormous block and the opponent hitting a shot off your arms for a kill.

“Blocking is effort,” Cook dinner stated. “It’s a whole lot of approach. However digging balls is effort, and pursuing balls is effort. Keen the ball again as much as the setter is effort. You may practice slightly approach, however a whole lot of it’s simply effort and a mindset. We put them in powerful conditions in follow to get out of it so that they develop that mindset.”

In Nebraska’s 3-0 win towards Michigan State on Thursday, Nebraska’s protection held the Spartans to a season-worst .031 hitting share, and every of Nebraska’s final three opponents has had its worst match of the season on offense.

Final week, Rutgers hit -.012 towards Nebraska, marking the primary time the Huskers held a Massive Ten workforce to a damaging share.

Eight groups already this season had its worst match of the season on offense towards Nebraska.

Seven groups have didn’t hit above .100 towards Nebraska, and two groups had a damaging hitting share.

Nebraska additionally had a top-10 protection final season when it reached the nationwide championship. The Huskers’ personnel has modified barely this season because of NU’s two-setter rotation.

Nebraska is utilizing extra of its 15 allowed substitutions per set to carry hitters and setters into the match, as an alternative of additional defensive specialists. However this lineup additionally improves Nebraska’s blocking, and Nebraska’s setters have helped with the back-row protection.

“There isn’t as many (defensive specialists) again there, however I believe it’s the mentality that we’re going to get all the pieces up,” Nebraska All-American libero Lexi Rodriguez stated.

Rodriguez leads Nebraska with 194 digs, and Madi Kubik has 107. Kenzie Knuckles has 88 digs. Setters Anni Evans, Nicklin Hames and Kennedi Orr have mixed for 218 digs.

Every of Nebraska’s prime blockers are new to the Huskers’ beginning lineup. Kaitlyn Hord has 71 blocks, Bekka Allick has 48 and Whitney Lauensstein has 47.

Street journey: Nebraska will end a stretch of 4 straight matches on the street Saturday night time. By the point the street swing is over, the Huskers may have been away from house eight of the earlier 10 days. That is a part of a stretch when Nebraska performs seven of 9 on the street.

Rodriguez says one of the best a part of street journeys is experiencing a unique setting.

“After we get to video games like Wisconsin and Minnesota (with) their crowds I believe we sort of thrive in these moments when opponent’s crowds are sort of screaming at us,” Rodriguez stated.

The worst a part of street journeys is being out of a routine.

“After we’re residing in a resort and getting meals catered in and at all times on a bus or on a aircraft I believe it may be arduous to cool down and keep centered,” she stated.

Three unbeaten: After Auburn misplaced to LSU this week there are three remaining undefeated groups in NCAA Division I – Texas (of the Massive 12 Convention), Central Florida (American Athletic) and Towson (Colonial Athletic Affiliation).