No. 2 Nebraska Defeats No. 9 Kentucky 3-1 in Exciting Volleyball Season Opener

Nebraska volleyball teamPhoto byNebraska Athletics

The No. 2 rankedNebraska volleyball team started its season with a strong 3-1 victory over No. 9 Kentucky in the 2024 AVCA First Serve Showcase in front of 9280 fans at the KFC Yum! Center on Tuesday night.

The Huskers displayed impressive defensive skills, recording 18 blocks - their highest total since 2018, according to the school website - and limiting Kentucky to a .139 hitting percentage.

After a close opening encounter, Nebraska went on to take the win, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20.

Rebekah Allick led Nebraska with 11 kills and 12 blocks, hitting an impressive .667. Merritt Beason contributed 11 kills, eight digs, and six blocks, while Andi Jackson added 10 kills.

For Kentucky, Brooklyn DeLeye finished with a game-high 19 kills, six digs, and three blocks. Erin Lamb finished with 14 kills, Eleanor Beavin added 23 digs, and Emma Grome contributed 42 assists.

In the first set, Nebraska overcame an early deficit to secure a 25-21 win.

Kentucky evened the match in the second set with a 25-22 victory.

Nebraska took control of the third set, winning 25-15, and then closed out the contest in the final set by maintaining the lead from the start.

Bergen Reilly led the offense with 39 assists and added 11 digs, while Lexi Rodriguez anchored the defense with 15 digs.

Allick's outstanding performance earned her the Best Middle Blocker and MVP awards for the AVCA First Serve Showcase, with Reilly named Best Setter.

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Huskers will return to action this weekend, hosting the Ameritas Players Challenge at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

They face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday at 7 p.m. and TCU on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

For Kentucky, the Wildcats will return to action this weekend as well, hosting the Bluegrass Battle in Lexington, Ky. The host will face Northern Kentucky on Friday, Western Kentucky on Saturday, and Morehead State on Sunday.