No. 4 Nebraska defeats No. 5 Stanford for the first time since 2008
The GIST: With only one week until conference play, teams are rushing to rack up as many impressive nonconference wins as possible, creating an extra-spicy midweek slate. Dig into your couch — you won’t want to miss a thing.
Last night’s takedown: Block party! Last night, No. 4 Nebraska’s stifling defense shut down No. 5 Stanford’s comeback attempt to beat the Cardinal 3-1. Led by freshman phenom outside hitter Harper Murray’s 12 kills, four blocks, and three aces, the dub marks Nebraska’s first win over Stanford since 2008 and their first win ever on the Cardinal’s home court. Poppin’.
- This was Nebraska’s first true test this season, and they passed with flying colors. Could this electrifying matchup be a preview of this year’s postseason? Definitely not mad if it is.
The regional rivalries: Intrastate drama takes center stage tonight, headlined by the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats at the No. 2 Louisville Cardinals at 8 p.m. ET. The undefeated Cards are coming off Sunday’s blistering 3-0 dub over No. 13 Penn State, while the ’Cats are struggling through a brutal stretch of Top-25 matchups — but with these heated rivals, expect fireworks.
- Want more neighborly melodrama? No. 1 Wisconsin faces Marquette, who are still receiving poll votes despite four straight losses, at 8 p.m. ET. Just an hour later, No. 12 BYU will try to regain their groove against lackluster Utah.
The Top-10 tango: Last but not least, No. 8 Pitt will meet No. 7 Oregon at tomorrow’s net at 7 p.m. ET. Both one-loss teams are hunting a first Top-10 dub, and Pitt leads the country in blocks per set while Oregon ranks top-five in kills per set. A defensive stalwart vs. an offensive powerhouse? Cancel those plans: This is bound to be good.
