First downs and second guesses: I’m really looking forward to the big debate on Tuesday night. That is, the one at the Devaney Center with the net in the middle. No.
5 Nebraska and No. 9 Creighton will celebrate the sport of volleyball in Nebraska on Tuesday night. It will be interesting to see who celebrates afterward.
Is it finally Creighton’s turn? The Jays are 0-20 against the Huskers. But Coach Kirsten Bernthal-Booth’s program has never been closer, never looked more like Nebraska’s volley machine. It’s the first time the two programs have met as top 10 teams.
Creighton was No. 9 in September of 2017 but CU and NU didn’t play that year. These look like two elite teams and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either — perhaps even both — playing in Louisville in mid-December.
Creighton, of course, has been to the Elite Eight once and never to a Final Four. But Booth has quietly built a national program and a loaded roster that looks ready to take the next giant step. It starts with outside hitters Norah Sis (who missed last year’s NU match) and Ava Martin.
Kendra Wait is one of the best setters in the nation. Like a lot of top volleyball coaches, Booth is becoming proficient at using the transfer portal to elevate a team. CU added 6-4 middle blocker Elise Goetzinger from Kentucky, and defensive specialist Maddy Bilinovic.
A few weeks ago, Booth told me that the pair of transfers were going to add a toughness to her team, designed to help CU finish big matc.