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Penn State 3, Nebraska 2: Comeback!

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Penn State 3, Nebraska 2: Comeback!


Entering Thursday night’s NCAA volleyball national semifinal, Penn State had never beaten Nebraska twice in the same season and had lost 14 of the previous 16 games against the Cornhuskers. The Big Ten co-champions squared off in Louisville for a spot in the championship game.

Nebraska led for most of the first set, aided by three service errors by Penn State. Despite the early hole, three kills by Camryn Hannah and an Izzy Starck ace helped set up a 23-21 Penn State lead late in the set. Nebraska’s Andi Jackson answered immediately, scoring three kills on a 4-0 run, and the Huskers took set 1 25-23.

The Cornhuskers dominated the second set with their block and powerful serving, outhitting PSU .400 to .098 in the frame. Nebraska stretched the lead to as wide as 16-8, and while the Lions started to find some offensive rhythm later in the set, the Huskers ran away with a 25-18 win in set 2.

With their backs against the wall, the Lions tightened up on both sides of the ball in the third set, recording just two hitting errors after combining for 16 in the first two sets. A diversified attack led by six kills from Caroline Jurevicius helped Penn State keep pace, and her sixth kill of the set gave PSU two set points at 24-22. A Harper Murray kill allowed Nebraska to fend off the first set point, but PSU converted on the second with a Murray attack error. Penn State stayed alive with a 25-23 win in set 3.

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Penn State continued its offensive rhythm in the fourth set and held a 15-12 lead midway through the set. A Jess Mruzik service error sprang a 6-0 Nebraska run, and suddenly the Lions found themselves down 18-15. The Huskers continued to frustrate Penn State with their serve, and a combo block by Rebekah Allick and Taylor Landfair stretched Nebraska’s lead to 22-16. The margin for error was narrow for Penn State.

Two kills and a block by Camryn Hannah helped the Lions trim the deficit to 23-22. After a kill from Rebekah Allick gave Nebraska two match points, Jess Mruzik and Caroline Jurevicius each recorded a kill to stave off elimination. A back-and-forth fourth set ended with another Hannah kill, and Penn State’s 28-26 4th set win sent the game to a decisive fifth set.

Entering tonight, Penn State had been undefeated in five-set matches this season (4-0). A Nebraska service error and an ace by Ava Falduto on consecutive plays put the Lions ahead 4-2, and Penn State would lead by at least two points until a kill from Harper Murray cut PSU’s lead to 9-8. A vital 3-0 Penn State run, highlighted by a combo block by Jordan Hopp and Caroline Jurevicius, extended the lead to 12-8.

A kill by Camryn Hannah set up the Lions with three match points at 14-11. After Nebraska fended off the first two, Hannah fittingly sealed the comeback victory with a kill that bounced out of bounds off of Nebraska’s block.

Penn State’s reverse sweep was its first in the NCAA tournament since the 2009 title game against Texas. Nebraska was reverse swept in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1982.

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With the win, Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s squad advances to the NCAA championship game for the 11th time in program history and the first time since winning the 2014 title. The Nittany Lions are 7-3 all-time in title games.

Penn State will face host Louisville, who defeated overall No. 1 seed Pitt in the other semifinal, for the NCAA championship on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.



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Nebraska QB has high expectations heading into 2026 season

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Nebraska QB has high expectations heading into 2026 season


Nebraska’s new quarterback has high expectations for the upcoming season. Transfer Anthony Colandrea spoke with Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required) about his decision to transfer and his goals for the Huskers this year.

Colandrea comes to Nebraska following a breakout junior year with the Rebels. The St. Petersburg, Florida, native finished the 2025 season throwing for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 65.9 completion percentage.

The former Rebels’ play earned him the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award. Before UNLV, Colandrea played two seasons at Virginia. In 19 games, he totaled 4,083 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

The new Husker told Nakos that he has high expectations and is looking to play in big games at the end of the season.

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“Expectations at Nebraska are to win. Like, you’re not here to just not win a national championship. I’m not coming here to just win eight or nine games. I want to win a national championship; I want to go to the playoffs. I have high expectations, and we have high expectations as a team.”

Colandrea joined a Nebraska team that was looking for a new opening day starter after Dylan Raiola transferred to the Oregon Ducks. The Husker quarterback room also includes sophomore and bowl game starter T.J. Lateef and former Virginia quarterback Daniel Kaelin. He also expressed excitement about playing in front of Nebraska fans.

“It’s the craziest fan base I’ve ever been around. My first impression was I went to a wrestling match. I would never think a wrestling match would be sold out. I walk in, and it’s like 35,000 to 40,000 people. I’m like, this is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. They bring the juice. I’m excited to play for them.”

Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Ohio Bobcats visit Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time and broadcast network are still to be determined.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.





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Four out of six Nebraska school bonds fail during primary election

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Four out of six Nebraska school bonds fail during primary election


In the past few years, Joel said Norris has tried to lower its tax levies, especially as property valuations have gone up. Additionally, the school hasn’t put as much into its special building fund with the idea that it would help taxpayers save more.

“That’s what led to that decision to not save as much to take care of the work, but to pass that savings on to taxpayers, with the hopes that we could get a bond issue approved to take care of that work all at once,” Joel said.

Although the election didn’t go in the school’s favor, Joel said he appreciated the feedback and conversations with the community throughout the process.

“If anything, it allowed us to share additional information regarding safety, security, infrastructure, all of that with the community, to create an awareness of the state of the district,” Joel said. “Now we can plan forward based on what the outcome of May 12 was.”

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Plainview Public School offered voters two bond proposals on Tuesday, both of which failed. The district boundaries go into Pierce, Antelope and Knox counties.

The larger of the two proposals was for $26 million, which focused on the district’s academic spaces. It included improvements for safety and security, updating career and technical education spaces and equipment, and updating spaces for students with disabilities.

It overwhelmingly failed with 636 voters against and 239 in support.

The second proposal could only pass if the first one had. It was for nearly $6 million to add a new gymnasium. There were 650 voters against it and 220 in support.

Centura Public Schools in central Nebraska also saw its $18.95 million bond attempt fail, with 613 voting against it and 463 voting for it, according to unofficial results in Hall, Howard, Sherman and Buffalo counties. The district hoped to improve safety and security, modernize building systems and update classrooms. According to the bond website, the school hasn’t had major improvements since 1981.

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Two school districts seemingly succeeded in passing their bonds: Pierce Public Schools and Stanton Community Schools.

The Pierce Public Schools bond amounts to nearly $10 million to expand and renovate the elementary school. According to the bond website, staff shared safety concerns about pickup and drop-off lanes, door and window security, insufficient security cameras, an inadequate intercom system and the need for an electronic lock system.

The bond includes renovating special education classrooms, enhancing security and building additional classrooms and spaces for students. It passed with 668 votes in support in Pierce County and 625 against, and in Wayne county eight for and 28 against — a 23-vote total difference, according to unofficial results from both counties.

Voters rejected a previous bond proposal for $29.5 million in August.

Stanton Community Schools passed a nearly $25 million bond for the construction of a new elementary school, which will include a multipurpose gym, an early childhood center and access to a storm shelter inside the building. Currently, students have to go outside to reach the storm shelter.

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There were 607 votes for the bond in Stanton County and 522 against.



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Nebraska legend signs with Jacksonville Jaguars

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Nebraska legend signs with Jacksonville Jaguars


A former Nebraska running back has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ameer Abdullah signed a one-year contract with the club after spending the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Abdullah played in 13 games with the Colts last year, mostly serving as a kick returner. He had 563 kick return yards for an average of 29.6 yards per return. An 81-yard return was his longest of the season.

The veteran is expected to add a key presence to the Jaguars’ backfield, following the departure of Travis Etienne. Abdullah was a legendary Husker running back, playing for the program from 2011 to 2014.

Abdullah ran for 4,588 yards and 62 touchdowns in his Nebraska career. He also recorded 73 receptions for 690 yards. For his career, he had 7,086 all-purpose yards and 48 total touchdowns.

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He has been able to parlay his collegiate success into a successful career in the NFL playing for Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina and Las Vegas. This will be his 12th season in the league, as he continues to be a strong representative for the program.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.





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