It was a matchup unlike anything the Galen Center has ever seen. No. 1 Nebraska, and its legion of traveling fans, came to Galen Center to take on the No. 17 Trojans.
Nebraska is unbeaten, and they rarely lose even a set. But the Trojans had also won 8 games in a row. There was plenty of intrigue on a player level as well — the Trojans have Nebraska native Mia Tvrdy on their roster and had Husker transfer Ally Batenhorst (who was in the building watching) on their roster last year. Trojan fans hoped their team could pull off a miracle, but they were instead treated to a Nebraska masterclass.
Look back at all the live updates, stats and analysis as USC women’s volleyball was swept by powerhouse No. 1 Nebraska:
FINAL SCORE: Nebraska 25, USC 20 end of 3rd set. Nebraska wins 3-0
The Trojans were just no match for the best team in the country and one of the best teams in college volleyball history.
The Huskers hit .412 and held the Trojans to .156 hitting. They did it with contributions from all over the court: Virginia Adriano, Taylor Landfair and Harper Murray had 10 kills each for Nebraska.
The Trojans did well staying clean at the service line, but they were outblocked, outdug, outhit and outdefended by Nebraska.
The silver lining for USC: they improved from sets 1-3 as their young roster got experience. Junior Adonia Faumuina (9 kills), sophomore London Wijay (10 kills) and freshman Abigail Mullen (6 kills) showed they have the talent to help this Trojan team hang with teams like the Huskers if they develop well.
The Trojans hoped for a better showing on a historic day at Galen Center, but they got a glimpse of what they could become if they continue to put the hard work into growing this program.
A Wijay highlight that shows the future is bright at USC
Nebraska 23, USC 19 — 3rd set. Nebraska leads 2-0.
USC has outscored Nebraska 18-16 since the Huskers rushed out to a 6-1 lead. But the Trojans still trail. Let that be a lesson to them, because it’s been a trend today — you cannot let Nebraska or other teams get off to a fast start like this.
Nebraska 20, USC 17 — 3rd set. Nebraska leads 2-0.
The Trojans are finally starting to find their offensive groove against a tough Nebraska defense. Even if they drop this one — which they likely will — they can take solace in the fact that some of their younger players on the roster, like Abigail Mullen, figured out how to hang with the No. 1 team in the country. That’s confidence-building and should help USC in the future as the Trojans continue to build their program.
Abigail Mullen block
Nebraska 11, USC 7 — 3rd set. Nebraska leads 2-0
The Trojans have clawed their way back into this set with some very good offense from all over the court. Adonia Faumunia is leading the charge, and USC just won a challenge on a hit of hers that was initally called out.
Nebraska 6, USC 1 — 3rd set. Nebraska leads 2-0
The Trojans had temporary hope after Abigail Mullen had a kill to open set 3, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead. But the elite Nebraska defense has fueled a 6-0 run, and unless something dramatic changes, USC is headed for a sweep.
Nebraska native and USC middle blocker Mia Tvrdy, who missed USC’s win over Rutgers, entered the match for the first time in this set.
Nebraska 25, USC 16 — End of 2nd set. Nebraska leads 2-0
The best news for USC is that Abigail Mullen is finally getting into a groove. She had 4 kills in that set after recording 0 in the first frame. They are also doing good defending the Nebraska serve; the Huskers have only 1 service ace on the game.
But the Huskers’ powerful attack is just too much for the Trojans to handle. They simply cannot return most of the Husker’s swings at the net. Nebraska is hitting .444 on the afternoon, a remarkable clip.
Nebraska 18, USC 9 — 2nd set. Nebraska leads 1-0
Nebraska is sending 3 blockers to the net when Wijay hits, shutting down USC’s lone effective hitter so far. They are outblocking the Trojans, who are traditionally very good defenders out the net, 10-4.
The Huskers have been much more than a collection of elite players, they are showing why Dani Busboom Kelly is one of the best coaches in the country as well. They are cohesive and showing no weaknesses in their game.
Nebraska 10, USC 3 — 2nd set. Nebraska leads 1-0
Nebraska continues to outwork USC defensively, and their very large contigent in this Galen Center crowd is loving it. They have all the momentum. USC has no answer for Taylor Landfair, who has 7 kills.
London Wijay has been a standout for the Trojans with 6 kills but she is getting little help.
Messer highlight
Nebraska 25, USC 13 — End of 1st set. Nebraska leads 1-0
Nebraska clearly showed why they are the best team in the country. They hit .500 in the first set with only 1 attack error. They look polished in every facet of volleyball.
For USC, a couple of things worked on offense. Adonia Faumuina had some success using the big Nebraska blockers to score tools, a big reason why she leads the Trojans with 4 kills. Setter Reese Messer also caught Nebraska off guard with some timely tips over the net rather than setting the ball to her teammates. She has 2 kills.
USC may need to use an unconventional offensive strategy if they want to stay in this game. They also need to hustle like their shorts are on fire.
Nebraska 17, USC 9 — 1st set
USC is doing a good job staying clean at the service line. The Trojans have only 1 service error while Nebraska has 2. But they have 4 attack errors while Nebraska has 0. That’s not going to work against the best team in the country.
Nebraska 10, USC 5 — 1st set
USC needs to hustle just a bit more than they are right now. They look a little paralyzed by the moment. They have let a couple of softer Nebraska hits drop on their side because they are playing a little hesitant. One errant pass high into the air comes to mind in particular.
Audonia Faumuinia and London Wijay have two early kills each.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC women’s volleyball is swept by Nebraska — rapid recap, analysis of sold out game
Reporting by Ethan Inman, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
