Nebraska Volleyball vs. No. 18 Creighton: How to Watch and What to Expect

Nebraska Volleyball's Road to the Rivalry

The No. 1 Nebraska Volleyball team faced a challenging start in its second-straight home weekend tournament, but they eventually found their rhythm with two more victories as they approach the end of non-conference play. The team had an early scare from the No. 22 Utah squad, which took the first set 25-21. However, the Huskers' middles, Rebekah Allick and Andi Jackson, played a pivotal role in securing the win despite Harper Murray’s struggles, who hit .091 with nine aces.

The next night, the Husker reserves took center stage against Grand Canyon and dominated with an easy sweep. Teraya Sigler stood out as the six-rotation outside hitter, recording a match-high 14 kills and 11 digs. Manaia Ogbechie also made a strong impression in her first career start, contributing 10 kills on a .529 hitting percentage.

Looking ahead, the Huskers face a new challenge as they take on Creighton in the state’s annual rivalry. The upcoming match at the CHI Health Center is expected to be another classic encounter between the two teams. Here’s everything you need to know about this nationally-televised matchup:

How to Follow Along

Matchup:
No. 1 Nebraska (8-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. No. 18 Creighton (5-4, 0-0 BIG EAST)

When:
Tuesday, September 16

Where:
CHI Health Center, Omaha, Neb.

Time:
6:30 p.m. CDT

Watch:
FS1

Listen:
Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates

Creighton Volleyball Scout

Head Coach:
Brian Rosen, in his fourth season as a college head coach and first at Creighton, has a record of 5-4 (.556) at CU. He previously served as an assistant coach for three seasons and was named the 2024 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. His experience includes coaching at Nova Southeastern (DII) and as an assistant at Creighton and Davidson College.

2024 Finish:
Creighton fell to No. 2 Penn State in the NCAA Regional Final with a 3-2 loss.

2024 Record & Awards:
Creighton finished with a 32-3 record, winning the BIG EAST regular season title for the 11th consecutive year. They also secured the BIG EAST Tournament title for the 10th time in 11 years. The team earned multiple AVCA All-American honors and several regional and conference awards.

All-Time Series:
Nebraska leads the series 23-0, with the last meeting on September 10, 2024, resulting in a 3-2 victory for the Huskers.

Returning Production

A significant portion of Creighton's production returns, including 50% of points, kills, service aces, and blocks. Key returners include Ava Martin, Kiara Reinhardt, Jaya Johnson, and Sydney Breissinger, all of whom have made notable contributions in previous seasons.

Key Returners

• Ava Martin: A senior outside hitter voted as the 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year. She averaged 3.66 kills per set in 2024.
• Kiara Reinhardt: A senior middle blocker who led the BIG EAST in total blocks and blocks per set in 2024.
• Jaya Johnson: A sophomore right-side hitter who was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman team after appearing in 35 matches.
• Sydney Breissinger: A junior defensive specialist who tallied 230 digs and 35 aces in 2024.

Impact Transfers/Newcomers

Creighton has added several impactful transfers and newcomers, including Eloise Brandewie, Annalea Maeder, Abbey Hayes, Saige Damrow, and Nora Wurtz. These players bring valuable skills and experience to the team.

Key Departures

Several key players graduated from the program, including Norah Sis, Kendra Wait, Elise Goetzinger, and Maddy Bilinovic. These players were instrumental in Creighton's success in 2024.

Outlook

Despite the departure of program legends and a top coach, the 2025 Creighton team has shown promise under Brian Rosen. The team has faced a tough non-conference schedule, including losses to top-ranked teams like Penn State and Texas. However, they have also secured wins over several other strong opponents.

Creighton's performance against Nebraska will be crucial, especially considering their history of close matches. Ava Martin's success will be vital, as she has been a key player for the Bluejays. The team's middles may also play a deciding role if they can hold their own against the Huskers.

While Nebraska still holds the advantage, a strong performance from Creighton could push the match to five sets. Both teams are expected to deliver an exciting and competitive game on Tuesday night, potentially setting a new attendance record at the CHI Health Center.