Nebraska Volleyball Preview: #2 Stanford

The Big Ten game is just around the corner No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team, But the Huskers still have two non-conference opponents ahead of them, and they’re likely to be two of the toughest games of the season.

After collapsing in a straight-set sweep by SMU on Sept. 3, Nebraska appears to have turned the corner and has won five straight matches since then. The five-set thriller win over in-state foe and No. 9 Creighton fueled the Huskers’ stellar play as NU has swept two straight games — No. 14 Arizona State and Wichita State — to close the Nebraska Classical. The offensive execution has improved, which also applies to the team captain Merritt Beason who has had an unusually slow start to 2024. She hit .429 with 15 kills against the Sun Devils, before adding 10 kills at a .471 clip against the Shockers last weekend.

What follows is another blockbuster in the Nebraska-Stanford rivalry on Wednesday night in the Devaney Center. A year ago, the Huskers defeated the Cardinal in four sets to signal to the college volleyball world that they were considered national championship contenders. This time, there will be no proving ground. Not only will the winner walk away with bragging rights in a historic rivalry, but also with the best win of the young college volleyball season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Lincoln showdown.

How to participate

Competition: No. 5 Nebraska (8-1) vs. No. 2 Stanford (7-0)

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

Time: 7:00 PM CDT

Watch: Big Ten Network

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and affiliates

Stanford Explorer

Head coach: Kevin Hambly | 8th Season | 178-37 at Stanford; 356-123 overall | Two-time National Champion | Former AVCA President.

2023 record: 29-4 (19-1 Pac-12, 1st) | Two AVCA All-American First Team selections, two AVCA Second Team selections, one AVCA honorable mention | Pac-12 Player, Setter and Libero of the Year, six All-Pac-12 selections | 3-1 loss to eventual national champion Texas in Elite Eight.

Record against Nebraska: 12-7 (last game 2023, Nebraska won 3-1)

Fun fact: Stanford is just one of eight schools with a winning record against Nebraska, while the two teams have played each other more than once.

Main returnees: Kami Miner, S, Sr. | Sami Francis, MB, Sr. | Elijah Rubin, OH, Jr. | Elena Oglivie, L, Gr.

Main additions: Charity McDowell, MB, Gr. (Notre Dame) | Lizzy Andrew, MB, Fr. (Recruit)

Main deviations: Kendall Kipp, OPP (Admission Requirements) | Caitie Baird, OH (Admission Requirements) | McKenna Vicini, MB (Admission Requirements)

Prospect: There aren’t many programs that can claim a historical advantage over Nebraska in college volleyball, but Stanford is one of the few in that category. The Cardinal, which has won nine straight national championships, have been a national contender year in and year out, especially with eight-year head coach Kevin Hambly at the helm at The Farm. Hambly, a two-time national champion at Stanford, is looking to lead his program back to the Final Four for the first time since it won its ninth national title in 2019.

Much of the star power from last season’s regional finals moved on to the professional game. Opponent Kendall Kipp developed into a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and one of the most physical players in the game, but she’s gone after five seasons. So is fellow forward Caitie Baird, who made the AVCA All-American Second Team twice, including in 2023. Starting middle blocker McKenna Vicini played in her first Pro Volleyball Federation season in the United States after graduating, leaving a hole at center.

Despite some tough losses, the Cardinals have weathered their first seven games of the season, including wins over No. 18 Minnesota and No. 6 Wisconsin, while beating No. 6 Texas on national television last Sunday.

Two-time First Team All-American and Pac-12 Setter of the Year Kami Miner leads the returning group for Stanford and Hambly. The 6-foot-3 California native is one of the top setters in the country and has proven that sentiment during her collegiate career. She’s averaged at least 11.4 assists per set in each of her three completed seasons while contributing at least 2.2 digs per set. She’s upped that number to 3.1 in 2024 so far, just slightly below her assist production.

Miner has returning All-American Elia Rubin on the left side as the Cardinal’s lead attacker. Rubin leads the team with 110 kills (4.23 per set) on a .304 hitting percentage through her first seven matches. She has also served eight aces and has a 2.38 digs per set mark. Sami Francis returns for her senior season as one of the middle blockers. She is on pace to start 2024 with 2.3 kills per set at a .456 clip with a team-high 29 blocks, 19 more than anyone else. AVCA Honorable Mention libero Elena Oglivie is the final big returner, having averaged 3.73 digs per set so far this year. The Hawaiian averaged 4.14 digs per set last season, which ranks second in the Pac-12.

The Cardinal’s most glaring gap has been a second pin alongside Rubin, and they’ve relied on Turkish redshirt freshman Ipar Kurt to fill that role. Heralding from Istanbul, Kurt is averaging 3.15 kills per set with seven aces. Sophomore Jordyn Harvey takes over for the graduated Kipp on the opposite side, as the former No. 14 overall recruit is averaging 2.73 kills per set this year. Her most lethal skill comes from behind the service line with a team-high 20 aces. Her 0.77 aces per set average is third overall in the country. She’s also the cousin of 2023 NBA Champion Aaron Gordon.

Speaking of famous family members, Stanford has middle blocker Sidney Duncan on the roster. The 6-4 freshman is the daughter of five-time NBA champion and 19-year pro Tim DuncanSidney hasn’t played a single set this season.

Despite the arrival of Notre Dame transfer Charity McDowell to compete for the other middle blocker position, it’s true that freshman Lizzy Andrew has shown her worth. Andrew, a 6-5 freshman from Washington, is hitting .293 with 1.5 kills per set this season. She also has 10 blocks. Expect freshman setter Taylor Yu to step in as server. She has already made six aces. Like Nebraska, the Cardinal have depth and experience as a defensive specialist in Taylor Beaven and Anna Pringle, who will serve and play in the back row to improve floor defense.

This matchup is always circled on the calendar in the college volleyball world. Two of the best players in the game going head-to-head. What’s not to like? What’s better is that both teams seem to be finding their groove as they both wrap up their non-conference slates. This is where Nebraska’s improved blocking will have to come into play. Miner is one of the best setters in the country and she’ll throw it around to keep the Huskers off balance. If Andi Jackson And Rebekah Allick can come up with a few blocks early, you have to like Nebraska’s chances. Devaney is a huge help for NU, but Stanford will be looking for revenge after losing on their home court last season. Let’s say Nebraska wins in a five-set thriller, but anything can happen in this blockbuster match.

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