The Longhorns won in three sets
Nebraska 0 vs. Texas 3 – 25-22, 25-14, 25-11
Texas played at another level in the final two games of the season, dominating first Wisconsin and then Nebraska. They beat both teams convincingly. The offense started first from the service line as the Longhorns posted 11 aces against Wisconsin and 12 versus Nebraska. Not only did they deliver crushing hits, but they constantly forced the opposing team’s offense out of the net. This type of crime became expected and the Texas Bloc went into action.
All 14 Texans players were involved in blocks against the Huskers, but Bella Bergmark and Jenna Wenas had four each, while Asjia O’Neal had three. The Husker punter tried to go around the block but the ground defense was there to snatch it away.
Madison Skinner jumped, flew and leapt around the court as she was named NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. She was really dominant hitting over, around and between hurdles. There was no answer for Skinner. She finished with 16 kills in the championship match.
For their part, Nebraska didn’t pass well and all other parts of the game fell apart from there. Every member struggles with the transmission pattern without exception. The ball moved, floated, and fell in ways unexpected to bystanders. The shock we felt as we watched Wisconsin go over and over again to the Huskers and it was happening all over the place.
Nebraska’s magical season ended quickly. The game ended in a game where the team was largely uncompetitive and was very difficult to watch. They were of course the players we had been rooting for all season, but they didn’t make the movements we were used to. They did not respond to the floodlights and the challenge posed by Texas proved too much.
Everyone knew the season would end yesterday, but the brutal way it ended for the Nebraska team and its fans was tough. There is a brutal ending to the finale even when we knew it would be the end.
There is an offseason and there is a lot of growth expected from this group of players. Next season will come in eight months and the Nebraska volleyball team will take us on another journey through an amazing season. It will be different this season. There will be unexpected thrills and disappointments, but I will take this journey, I will run for it and raise my hands in the air in celebration. Looking forward to it!
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