Nebraska vs. Arkansas: 2023 NCAA volleyball tournament quarterfinals | FULL REPLAY

what's at stake well nothing bigger All Season an appearance in the National semi-finals Arkansas has never been there Nebraska has been there 16 times the second most all time who is going to Tampa we find out right now Bergen Riley to serve for Nebraska and she'll go after Jill Gillan and it's an ace Bergen Riley has picked up her service game she's had aces in the last couple matches really putting pressure on her opponents right from the start this is a true freshman this time last year Bergen was still in high school she has come in and been the starting Setter for Nebraska since day one and hope going backside it's a Maggie cartright who puts down Maggie cartright is such a force on that right side pin we told you about Joe Gillan Taylor head on the outside on that left pin but Maggie cartright is a big reason why Arkansas's in this position today Jackson goes after Harper Murray in comes Merritt B the transfer from Florida and B gets a kill on the left [Applause] side we talked about Nebraska's defense offensively though what makes them so dangerous too balance I think they have five weapons who can put the ball away and Bergen Riley when she's in the front row can attack as well so they are just so well balanced a very young lineup for Nebraska that has not phased them they' only lost one match All Season hey that's a good sign if you're to Arkansas to see Taylor head terminate a great sign and something to keep an eye on two very different offenses Nebraska likes to set the ball high Arkansas runs a really fast tempo offense they like to push the pace to those outside pens and beat you with speed you're talking to Nebraska about common opponents they've seen that run a speed like Arkansas they've seen a couple this year but not really the Big 10 no not many Long Beach SMU Northwestern John cook told us Minnesota somewhat runs a fast tempo offense he said really Ohio State last year was the fastest Tempo offense they had seen in the Big 10 but you have so many new faces on this Nebraska team not a lot can draw on that experience set to Ali baon hor dug out by Courtney Jackson H going with Gil out of the back row and Becca Allen just needs one hand to put it down Arkansas has been able to get Nebraska out of system able to dig balls but not transition them back for points yet Rodriguez Lexi Rodriguez now a two-time big 10 defensive player of the year she's also a captain for Nebraska siia Pettis gets the touch and the point she was sneaky important for Arkansas I thought on Thursday well she's very effective she's Dynamic she's the first player for Arkansas who actually runs that slide and opens things up because the focus is usually on the left side side attack for Arkansas muray puts it right on top of Bergen Riley's head so she can go to the middle in comes Jill Gillan backside to beon with the tip the pancake by Jackson OH back out to J Gillan off hands she swings a three balls in that rally and she recycles a couple plays when the set's not there and then on the his third swing great up by Courtney Jackson with a pancake out of the back row she's able to get the kill on that third swing of the rally going high hands it's just learning throughout a point that's what she's able to do baon hor stuck up by head po to Jill Gillan you see how much she's jumping already that's why Arkansas they only took about 25 minutes of their practice time yesterday rest is so important for this group head coach Jason Watson up of Arkansas said look we're team that jumps a lot and rest is really important if we want to play our best volleyball today so 3-0 run the Hogs look fresh Riley to baiton horse Arkansas hustling but it's a point for the Huskers I thought it was interesting when we were visiting with Watson yesterday at practice he said you know you think about all those jumps he it's not so much the jumps that are fatiguing it's the landing it's coming back down the jarring on your your knees and your ankles and your feet and so that's why you know he wanted to limit them as much as possible yesterday in practice Jason Watson has talked about how much he loves this group he doesn't want this run to end making their first Regional final appearance in flies Gillan and off the block of Bergen Riley we talked about Jill Gillan and she's got all the tools we've seen her go high flat we've seen her turn it down the line recycle it into the block when it's tight I mean she has had to figure it out do you think think that's because she's undersized she's had to get all the different Tools in her toolkit over the years absolutely absolutely in Arkansas when they train they go a lot of six on six so it's immediate feedback on how you need to vary your attack to score be thought that was in but they'll say it's long and a point for Arkansas who is hitting 500 as a team right now Jill Gillan mentioned to us that was one of the things I wish I would have known in club having a bigger toolkit being yes she does but that also comes with experience and time you're not going to have that in high school you're going improve at this level Zoe Evans with the block on Bon hor second swing for Ali bait hor and she tools it really good patience there from baiton horse that was a really high out of system set she waits on it waits and then goes up and attacks High hands in comes Laney choboy the joke over the last couple of days is that on Thursday in the regional semi-final she went after a ball right into the Nebraska bench into John Cook who was a little sore yesterday after taking the hit might have had a bruis rib [Applause] yep hog in the middle to Zoe Evans Murray with the tip dug by cartright Gill it what a save by Jo boy but Harper Murray is long we saw Nebraska practicing yesterday and they were practicing picking up that ball look at Laney Choy lay it out for Nebraska but they miss long in transition Arkansas up 95 in the first set what a season it's been for the Arkansas Razer backs Jason Watson in his eighth year and this program has 28 wins the most since 1999 they making making their first Regional final of appearance in school history after beating Kentucky on Thursday and these three named to the all SEC team Jason Watson one of the SEC co- coaches of the year they started off with their best 20 match start in Arkansas history at 18 and two third straight 21 season since Co things have been on the rise for the Arkansas Razorback volleyball program Andy Jackson off of one foot Maggie cartright with the tip and it hits the floor really nice heads up play by cartright that ball was set a little bit High she was a little early on her approach and so she just hangs in the air sets over a really nice tipped ball great placement and I'll tell you that's a ball that Nebraska was practicing defending all day yesterday and the day prior s s how much do you think too it's Nebraska figuring out the speed and the pace that Arkansas wants to go at well we talked to assistant coach jayen Ray of Nebraska and he said look we're going to have to get used to the way they play and make adjustments in game I thought it was interesting he said we're going to have to give our players some Grace early on not get on them if they make a couple errors they don't block as well as they're used to early on in this set because it is a change of pace that they're not used to seeing on a on a frequent basis Jaylen R in his six season as one of the top assistants for this Nebraska team had the Scout for this match Kennedy or defensive player and Laney CH boy had a little Collision wrist to wrist Kennedy or Subs out she looks to be okay Arkansas's career Ace leader Jill Gillan add one more I love it when I don't jinx them right Jill Gillan is one of the best best servers in the country and look at her put enough pace and then serve it to space that deep crosscourt Corner gets away from Choy a little bit miscommunication between chob boy and Harper Murray as well and now we're going to have a conversation at the net because I think chob boy's wrists are hurt well and I think there's blood yeah the training staff is looking at lady chill boy right now bandaging up something around her knee area you see the referees checking for blood on the [Music] court [Applause] skinder KNE probably going in for the dive yeah they're wiping up a little spot on the [Applause] floor that's one Fearless freshman though there's no way she's coming out show boy is as tough as they come for [Applause] Nebraska Jo booy tracks it down Harper Murray will get the swing and puts it in the [Applause] corner Arkansas is serving the ball extremely well again deep to that corner gets away from Murray Choy pushes it up to the net and Murray able to find the corner that's a big point over the head too to be able to track that ball extremely impressive po to head roll shot Lexi Rodriguez with the bump set to Harper [Applause] Murray inlies Meritt B Bergen Riley pushes that ball quick to Merit Beason and that puts so much pressure on Zoe Evans 44 for Arkansas to try and close and she is late this is a great rotation for Nebraska they love having Bergen Riley serving and then you also have Meritt Bon and Harper Murray in the front row along with Becca Alec Taylor head rejected B and Alec when we talk to Taylor head yesterday she likes the ball a little wider so she can go outside the block and work off the beas's outside hand that one died a little bit [Applause] inside they continue to serve at Gillan Maggie cartright no touch here come the Huskers you see Becca Alec number five in white for Nebraska all fired up she's the team hype person and she is fired up defensively a 40 run for Nebraska and Arkansas calls timeout and I think you're seeing Nebraska starting to settle in a little bit with the pace right from a blocking standpoint you got to see it you got to feel it you got to be able to go up against it a couple of times to really get a true feel of what you're dealing with and now we're seeing these blockers who are some of the best in the country get a good field this a Nebraska team that certainly knows how to make adjustments they've only lost one match All Season that's why they're the number one overall seed they started the season with the bang setting a world record with 92,000 plus watching them play volleyball in their football stadium they won the Big 10 title for the first time since 2017 they didn't stop there number one overall seed for the sixth time in program history two other times they have won a national championship as the top seed and six all big 10 selections that is a program record again all of this ladies with a team that added six new faces five freshmen well three of those freshman are starters and then showboy comes off the bench Meritt beas a transfer from Florida and all of them have worked together to create an incredible team worth mentioning every freshman graduated high school early came in January so they've had more time than the average college volleyball team to get to know each other to build chemistry and continuity and I think it's clearly showed based on the record through the regular season and what they've done in the postseason here so they're on a 40 run right now as we see the Huskers start to figure out this faster offense from Arkansas Bergen riy one of those five freshman that arrived early she became oh just the Big 10 Setter of the year the first freshman to win that award it's a lot of responsibility for a true freshman running this offense so he's handled it with Grace that'll be an attacking error as it goes outside for Harper Murray and I think the Nebraska fans wanted a double [Applause] contact Holly you mentioned this earlier I think one of the big differences on Thursday between Arkansas and Kentucky is the way that Arkansas served they put so much pressure on Kentucky in the back row they've done a really nice job of that so far here in set one and now the block but the Relentless service pressure and it's something they do every day in practice against one another they find ways to score They don't serve at Targets they serve live into another team to figure out how ways to make them uncomfortable in Services Arkansas leading everyone in the tournament with 21 [Applause] Aces CT w got hands Point Razer backs I think it's worth noting there's a huge size disparity between these two front row players Arkansas's done a really nice job of just going up and getting good solid touches on the Block so their defense can play behind them nice pass right to Riley she can go to Mary P hog steps into bump set Taylor Taylor head chasing it Murray with the tip perfect placement heads up play by Harper Murray here we saw the same thing from Arkansas they are able to make the Dig with Berg and Riley and then Harper realizes nobody home two spot really nice place tip Harper Murray the Big 10 freshman of the [Applause] Year siia Pettis in the middle you get worried about the pens and then you forget about Pettis and siia Pettis was very effective on Thursday she was an impact player later in the match when they needed her most against Kentucky [Applause] bait worst had to pass it and then got the swing in the kill Arkansas is getting Nebraska out of system they like that but they are going to attack Hanah hog the smallest Blocker on the court you see baon horz with a huge size Advantage at the [Applause] net [Applause] B worst again dug by Jackson poog to head trying to turn it down the line no [Applause] [Music] [Applause] touch Pettis off of one foot Lexi Rodriguez diving free ball back to the Hogs Pettis right behind her Setter so [Applause] fast look at this free ball Saia Pettis takes the first Contact and drills it between the two blockers from Nebraska Hannah H doing a really nice job moving siia Pettis having her hit various shots one-handed set baiton horse has to track it down back to pentis siia pennis is on fire and this point goes to Hannah ho she is on the 10- foot line pushed off here and still decides to run the middle blocker you don't see that often catches The Defenders and the blockers on the other side off guard really nice run way to push your middle to go and attack in Nebraska isn't expecting them to set the middle when we saw them go through the Scouting Report they are saying concentrate on the [Applause] pins two wide for Jill Gillan point for the Huskers they're down four looks like Nebraska's daring the attackers on the left side pin for Arkansas to beat them down the [Applause] line they've missed on their last couple of line swings D in a triple [Applause] block got it through so crafty recycles the first one right your way out of system just tips it into the block allows Courtney Jackson to come behind her and play it up and then waits for this kind of set so she can haul off go high hands and just power her way [Applause] through Andy Jackson answering out of the middle Nebraska has been working on running their middles more especially in transition perfect pass and look at Andy Jackson get on top of that seam ball wow [Applause] k r shot out of the back row Meritt B dug by Jackson but sent back by Andy Jackson no easy points on either side of the net they are touching everything chob booy served at Gillan last time we'll see where she places this [Applause] now back at Gillan Gillan take two it hits the scoreboard still good stays on Nebraska side roll shot dug by Murray Zoe Evans With a Little Help At The [Applause] Net loving the defense in the middle of that play it hit the Jumbotron yeah the Jumbotron but if it stays on your side it's a playable ball which makes it risky to take it with two hands to set the ball Riley did she sends it over smart play way to keep it clean Arkansas five points away great pass Jackson on the slide Jill Gil a wall at 57 this is an area of Jill gillan's game she's worked on the most and it's her block look at the Block press obviously she's Dynamic she is up there big press huge stuff for Arkansas her vertical is unbelievable easily 36 in and you got to think it's higher than that because of all the adrenaline totally totally I agree look this is an undersized Arkansas Team the tallest player on the team is Zoe Evans and she had a fantastic quote talking about playing with these women that are playing for Arkansas with her and Zoe Evans who's 6'4 she's out of Tampa I ironically which is where the final four is this is Zoe Evans I may be the tallest but the people around me make me feel small because they are Mighty I have some small Mighty people around me and you saw that right there with a 5 S block I love it you know this Arkansas Team they play with a chip on their shoulder they've got something to prove a lot of them were under recruited and it shows they were told no you talk to any of them they were told no over and over and over again not big enough you're not tall enough you're not fast enough to play here and luckily Jason Watson has given them a home I mean look at that Joe Gillan is 5'7 Taylor head her running mate on the left side 5'10 Maggie cartrite who is just as impactful as those two is 5'11 compare that to Nebraska's roster all their front row players are above 6 foot [Applause] [Music] yeah Arkansas has never been here before but man they look comfortable they do they play this style of volleyball night after night this is how they play they battle and they play their style and they try and push the pace no matter what's going on Razer backs four points away from taking set one here's Hannah [Applause] hope Murray that time Nebraska in system fantastic pass in front of that 3 m line and they can push the pace to Harper Murray who's got a big arm on the left for [Applause] Nebraska Kennedy or in came as a Setter has really moved to that serving specialist role this [Applause] [Music] season back to back for Harper this is a nice run by Nebraska because Harper where he comes in and digs this ball she doesn't have time to get all the way back out into the antenna good job by Bergen Riley recognizing where her hitter needed the ball they run her inside on a 31 rip set really nice [Applause] [Music] job working with Maggie cite out of The Middle that was something they did on Thursday and Bela Alec obviously knew it and it's just a basic xplay but they've been very successful Becca Alec herper Murray all over that play defensively they know that from The Scouting Report Jason Watson was worried that nebras would be dialed in because they're such a tight Bunch blocking group that they just be sitting there waiting for that two ball you'd be interested to see if Arkansas goes back to it three-oh run for Nebraska closest it's been since it was 6 to4 Dyan no touch this place just erupted and Nebraska still down by one I'll tell you it hasn't been a walk in the park but Nebraska has not lost a set all NCAA tournament they have not really been pushed or stressed yet in this postseason they're being pushed and stressed and they have responded in a great way here late in this set [Music] one well the Nebraska Corn Huskers have five national titles to their name the last one coming in 2017 they've been the runner up five times 42 NCAA appearances that's the second most they have been in this round of the tournament the regional final it's their 11th in the last 12 Seasons they're seeking to get to the semi-finals for the 17th time in program history talking to the players this week I think one of the key moments for them you talk about their resiliency how they're not rattled was the loss to Wisconsin at the end of the regular season that took the pressure off it definitely did and and that was a a tough environment they learned a lot I think sometimes you learn more from A Loss than going undefeated the whole season especially now because this is a must win they didn't need to win that game and they learned a lot from it they did and John Cook will tell you Wisconsin stress them like no other from the service line and they recognized okay this is what it's going to be from here on out if we want to win a National Championship we're going to be stressed from the service line we've got to be able to pass in any kind of environment they're getting stressed right now but they can draw on that experience against Wisconson a couple of weeks ago third most active wins for John Cook 848 career victories he has he's won four of those five national titles here at Nebraska courti off of one foot using the block Arkansas doing a really nice job in Ser receive staying in system and that allows Maggie cartrite to run the slide and score on the right side Harper Murray Jackson back to cartright and it goes longas for the husers number two biley again the rotation here that Nebraska feels strongest in with Bergen Riley [Applause] serving C right one-handed save by Lexi Rodriguez but her team teammates couldn't get it up and now Arkansas two points away gutsy play to tip that ball down the line that does not have a high percentage of working out and resulting in a kill but she sees that Lei Rodriguez is running Full Speed Ahead able to beat her a little bit deep there catch her off guard Long Point Nebraska back within one line Harper [Applause] Murray oh got to get it with one hand TI game big play at a crucial Time by Becca Alec in the middle for Nebraska first tie since it was three to three if you're Arkansas how do you respond can you side out in the hostile environment about to find out in comes cartright B to the floor Set Point Nebraska Nebraska able to get a positive block touch and turn it into a point setting that ball to Meritt B on the right hog in the middle to pis tied at 24 got a win by two that is a gutsy set from Hannah hog you expect the ball to go to the pins they're tried and true but she runs Pettis in the middle really nice job giving the ball to the middle blocker when the defense doesn't expect it for me that's the personality of this Arkansas Team gutsy be second set Point Nebraska look how sharp Meritt B is able to cut this ball inside the block she goes thumb up inside Pettis and also catches that right back Digger as well [Applause] coming back over great Touch by hog po to head the Nebraska block seals it they Trail most of the first set overcoming a Sixpoint deficit to win set one incredible but I think Arkansas is having the time of their life this is a dream come true to play the best team in the country in this environment in battle how do they respond though to dropping a set where they led the majority of the time Nebraska un phas they lead taking the first set 26-24 Nebraska used a 10-3 run to come back and win set one 2624 and I think if you're Arkansas you're kicking yourself for not closing out set one and winning that because you had the element of surprise a little bit I think you had Nebraska on their heels they were trying to figure out a little bit you had a large lead if you close that thing out play clean volleyball you're sitting really confident now you got to wash this thing away fight back here in set two Nebraska had to play catchup and then 10 kiding AES for Arkansas you can't give a team like Nebraska 10 points no [Applause] way Harper Murray will take the swing out of system hope to Taylor head who is hitting in the negative again a slow start for head as she's blocked Hol you mentioned this earlier they're a great blocking team but look this Ball's left inside head has nowhere to go but crosscourt right into Becca Alec she doesn't even have an opportunity to turn the ball down the line so if you're Hannah hog you want to be able to set that ball all the way to the antenna to give your hitters both options that was a concern for Jason Watson coming into the regional semi-final on Thursday was that hog was leaving some balls too far ins side here B no touch Point Arkansas Point Arkansas at the line service for the rer back number 15 Courtney [Applause] Jackson back at Al if you blinked you missed it Nebraska takes care of the pass puts it right in Bergen Riley's hands and Becca Alec driving hard hitting that Gap ball with two blockers in front of her but gets on top of it [Applause] [Music] [Applause] quickly [Applause] p and a kill for Meritt benter [Applause] [Applause] F raises the tape Arkansas is saying it hit hands no touch called and Jason Watson is going to challenge this AR is the entire AR team looked at their head coach for that challenge well each team gets two challenges if you're correct in your challenge you get to keep [Music] [Music] it so I think we're looking here at the left inside hand of Becca Alec possibly as it looks like it bypasses baiton h that outside hand possibly of Becca Alec might have got the tip of Becca Alex's right hand but it's got to be indisputable evidence to overturn [Music] [Music] it I don't think I see a [Applause] [Applause] touch original call was no touch if it is a touch it's not clear enough to overturn it I don't think [Applause] yeah Joseph gusterson is our R2 taking a look at this we'll see if he sees [Music] it we'll let you know too pit just took down Louisville in a reverse sweep a five Setter pit on their home floor they are back in the National semi-finals they will play the winner of this match talk about no quit you go down two sets To None on your home floor obviously those two teams know each other extremely well playing in the ACC but to be able to fight yourself out of that dig yourself out of that hole pretty remarkable so you see the gesture that he made that means there was it was inconclusive there was no evidence to overturn it so the original call will stand no touch and Arkansas will have one challenge remaining unless we go to a fifth set they will get an additional challenge so Nebraska stays on this three-oh run taking the momentum they built from set one right into set two worst blocked by siia Pettis ptis 11 we've been talking about the block of Nebraska but look at this well formed block and siia pet is number three for Arkansas closes that block beautifully we asked Jason Watson about siia Pettis he said you know she spent a couple of years at Mississippi State they had some big time outsides around her maybe got overlooked a [Applause] bit she's been a nice pick up for them and big huge P week in Lincoln to that point Courtney I mean she's got five kills just one air she's sitting 444 she's obviously a great blocker as well if I'm Hannah ho I'm trying to get her involved as much as possible because she's been really efficient every time she's touched the ball and we've seen hog try to force her the ball some [Applause] too we welcome those of you just joining us who watched an epic match between two Rivals P getting the win they're on to Tampa they will play the winner of this match in the semi-finals on Thursday Courtney Lyall Katie George and Holly mCP with you you missed a thriller in the first set Arkansas was in control they had a six-point lead and Nebraska closed on a 10-3 run to take set one 26-24 if you're just tuning in Nebraska has not been tested a whole heck of a lot in the NCAA tournament they have swept every single match up until this point Arkansas threw that first punch great ability from Nebraska to respond and they have carried over that momentum as Andy Jackson gets the kill out of the middle this play was set up by the short serve in front of Jill Gillan by Lexi Rodriguez and then the quick attack to Andy Jackson The Freshman number 15 and [Applause] [Music] white Arkansas has never never made it to the round of eight until now their very first appearance Nebraska has been a main stay here Taylor head Rodriguez with the bump set to Ali baon hor off the block the up by cartright great defense but B HSE will finish it off Arkansas sending bodies flying everywhere Maggie cart gets to this ball to keep it alive Arkansas doing everything they can to try and win this point Nebraska 72 in this second set over Arkansas well the first set it was a doozy Nebraska closed on a 10-3 run after trailing by six Mar be had six kills Jill Gillan had six kills for Arkansas it took a minute for Nebraska to catch up to the pace of Arkansas's offense and I think Nebraska knew that was coming but they were able to wear Arkansas down and come back it was the 10 hitting errors for Arkansas in the first set that will cost them and I think too because this block is so big from Nebraska you start to run from it a little bit and try to create shots and that sometimes leads to errors never saw Panic though in Nebraska that is long and John Cook will pull his green challenge card they are looking for a touch on this [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] ball I think Taylor head's left hand at number seven in that red jersey and her left hand yeah looks like her fingers get bent back just a tad there and they reverse this call John Cook gets to keep his challenge Nebraska with two remaining Arkansas has one remaining unless we go to a fifth set each will get an additional Challenge and this is a tough rotation for Arkansas Hannah hes in the front row Nia Pettis and Taylor had the only front row attackers Jill Gillan available out of the back roow there's head to the [Applause] corner a nice response there from head coming back with a kill after that touch it's been a slow start again for Taylor head she's hitting in the negative that happened to her in the regional semi-finals on Thursday against Kentucky but she got herself out of it never looked flustered finished with a double double that was a matrix move from Courtney Jackson that's what I was thinking great self-defense getting out of the way of that missile from Meritt beas on the right side watch this swing Courtney Jackson ducks out of the way [Applause] quickly borst on the approach in the swing hog on the run and it's a free ball back to Nebraska Bergen Riley backside to be and dug by [Music] head Andy Jackson in the middle pointed to the floor she knew it was in great run by neget here free ball situation rather than running a quick one they send Annie Jackson on that three ball and she loves it Andy Jackson one of those five freshmen that all enrolled early they graduated high school school got here in January it's made all the difference still alive hope with the pancake and Bergen Riley so smart right to the middle of the campfire stress stress stress Nebraska is putting all sorts of pressure on Arkansas look at they're just scrambling trying to catch up with this play Get Set defensively and Bergen Riley calls their own numbers throwing it down in the middle does that get you too fired up oh my gosh yes I got two Setters up here with me feel like we're our chests are out for her yeah I think Holly wanted to go in and try to set uh practice yesterday that would have been fun yeah get a few reps yep Katie wanted to play defense I just wanted to observe which what I [Applause] normally Alli baiton h in Nebraska pushing that match up Ali baon horse against Hanah hope the smallest blocker for Arkansas B horse originally from Texas but actually born in Omaha she told us she has a ton of family right down the road about an hour away there's a family farm here so you know they come to watch her all the [Applause] time them and 8,200 of her closest Super Brasa Fant packed inside the dean Center Harper Murray one handed save by cartright Jill Gillan across the court Jill Gillan the undersized 57 outside hitter I mean it starts with defense look at cartright slide under this ball lifting it so hog can push this ball out to Gillan who takes a gigantic swing un afraid to go for it and it pays off for Arkansas by the way she attacks that ball from the 10t line to be able to attack from from the 10 foot line and hit that sharp angle is unbelievable so is that and Andy Jackson makes it look so easy the size advantage in the quick attack by Nebraska look at Andy Jackson get on top of that ball and I heard Jaylen Rey the other time annihilate area one to Andy Jackson and she just did that Jaylen Reyes the long time assistant at Nebraska under John Cook had the Scout for this [Applause] match [Applause] [Music] Jill killan so many people told her no Arkansas was the only one that told her yes she has such a special bond with Jason Watson I think in part because he believed in her he gave her an opportunity and she has delivered time and time again for him as they have grown this program together now she's got to be able to go on a run with her serve [Applause] here dropped it in front of chill booy Harper Murray on the tip well placed ball right over the block Hannah hog was deep trying to defend this ball down the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] line hog throwing it back so Maggie cartright number 11 Maggie C at the line AR the whole Nebraska team pursuing that ball off the court complaining that there were people in their way John Cook's just glad it didn't come his way this time exactly that was uh kind of the joke fortunately no everybody was okay but Laney choboy hustled after a ball on Thursday in the regional semi-finals into the Nebraska bench into John Cook I think he uh felt like he took a football hit from back in the day and she did not use the brakes at all no he was like I thought she was going to slow down and then that never happened you think maybe in her mind she's like I can finally get one on my coach after all the the drills he's put me through all the yells I've had to endure maybe I'll just I just won't pump the brakes I just run right into him make him feel it I don't know I think she's just a Fearless freshman he did tell her Laney you have to keep at least one foot on the ter in order to get that ball legally Bea Alec the save by Jill Gillan CTI coming in chill boys there backa [Applause] Alec Taylor had another great save from showboy great defense both sides and Nebraska's block hello lady CH boy all over the back row for the Corn Huskers she's Relentless lays it all on the line and then here's the inside set taylorhe head has a hard time with this maybe the tip back to the line would work because the Nebraska block moved inside with her m winner of this match is going to Tampa and the national semi-finals to take on pit who just beat Louisville in five [Music] sets Alec with the black touch back to head Gan Riley underneath it biton HST ptis is rejected poog will try cartri she goes tip how about the Nebraska block just working side to side shutting down everything but Arkansas continues that hitter coverage to stay in the play Maggie cartrite well placed tip right over the block there's even more stress on this Nebraska block too because of how fast Arkansas's offense is so they are sprinting back and forth across that [Applause] net here B ding the block so Arkansas Taylor head believes that the block went and touched that line line judge called it out remember Arkansas only has one challenge unless we go to a fifth set they will not use it [Applause] here Andy Jackson has been such a force in the middle offensively and defensively she makes it look easy look how nicely she just gradually follows Meritt be out and they are lock step like secre IED swimmers or divers in their movement such a nice job defensively from Nebraska they've got a seven-point lead here in the second set Corn Huskers and he's not afraid to look back at the he talked this year about how he started journaling back in 1988 and he did it because of the legendary head coach John Wood and he studed studied everything that wood and did and he is kept this is in his office he keeps the binders of all his journals and he says he'll go back and look to see what do we do on this day at this time and practice plans he he actually had a practice plan from years ago that he had duplicated for the practice the other day so it's pretty impressive to be able to look back and see what works he said he's been looking at 2017 21 and 22 notes those are the books that he keeps going back to right now because there's similarities between these two teams and he said you could always learn something from the past he also says he still has his uh practice plan book from when he was a high school football coach I'm not sure how much he's using that right now but he's got it just in case well he he was a defensive coordinator and he still has that same amount of passion and focus for defense on the volleyball court as well I think the first thing he said to me was something about the ACC championship in football so you know he still dialed into college football as well that was his first question I remember [Applause] [Music] [Applause] that ptis tips it to the back corner F horse reaching up for it in the one handed save by cartright Bergen Riley in the middle Andy Jackson is long a rare error for her Andy Jackson likes to go cross body with that swing that times he goes wrist away he was just missing wide Jackson was the number six overall recruit the number one middle in this year's [Applause] [Music] [Applause] class to Pettis Murray got there [Applause] B has Nine Kills to lead Nebraska for Nebraska it starts with defense look at Meritt beas attacking High through the scene she comes in hard every time in transition she's been Unstoppable in that angle de started her career at Florida so she knows the Razer backs well this is her fifth career match against [Applause] Arkansas Jackson on the slide straight Phil and you know she's going to do it she's so Dynamic off of one foot behind on the slide but they isolate her Bergen Riley gets her in a one-on-one situation against Jill she's got the whole Court to work with already six kills for Andy Jackson she only had four in their match on Thursday against Georgia Tech but Alli baon hor was carrying them with 10 p is able to score through the block of Nebraska what Nebraska's done really well they've adjusted to the speed of the game they might not be blocking the ball but they're getting positive block touches that they're able to turn into points if you're Nebraska you feel so good about getting those block touches they have great back throw play Scrappy Defenders a great Setter the for the number Lany Choy in comes Laney choboy speaking of Setter Nebraska's Setter Bergen Riley already has her fifth double double in the last six [Applause] [Music] matches killan inside the court [Applause] yeah why would you not go back to that Nebraska we talk about the Relentless defense but their transition offense quick attack and that's just too quick to Andy Jackson on the backside she gets on top of that quickly also places it in the dut I mean you're trained to roll shot the ball to the donut not be able to attack and hit it from there donut being the middle of the floor still looking for down the line and Gillan is Long Nebraska has moved their block a little inside daring Jill Gillan to go down that line but she has a small part of the court to attack and misses that wide Corn Huskers adding to its largest lead Jill Gillan hitting 160 this is a player that hit 391 in their win over Kentucky in the regional [Applause] semi-final too much power for the Big 10 freshman of the year you can just feel the momentum and the confidence continually building for Nebraska right now everything they touch it seems turn to gold and I feel like they've found their Rhythm they know what's coming on the other side of the net now it's a 40 run Corn Huskers need two more points and a service era by chillboy AR for the number if you're Arkansas you try to get a a couple of points here get some momentum going into that next set [Applause] definitely B soaring out of the back row Set Point [Applause] Nebraska Kenedy or point Jill Gillan is blocked Becca Alec gives Nebraska a 20 lead here in the round of eight a 5 to one run to in set two and Nebraska leads the match two sets To None we're joined Now by Nebraska head coach John Cook coach in the first set it seemed like it took a little bit of time for you guys to figure out what they were doing what was the adjustment uh it's just you know their speed and those are on the ball really fast and you know we prepped for it yesterday and and but till you see live you know it's a different ball game but we slowly are adjusting to that and uh you know I think we're a little amped up and we're passing balls uh I think in about three different zip codes what was the difference in set two which was a dominant finish there I think we settled well that comeback in game one was huge we got the momentum got the crowd going got some belief and and we now we're starting to execute our blocking defense we're starting to pass better thanks coach we appreciate it all right thanks Nebraska up two sets to nine they can taste Tampa one set win away from a 17th appearance in the semifinals how does Arkansas respond we'll be back after this we know at least one team who will be in Tampa next week pits a number one seed they beat their rival Louisville after trailing by two sets they complete the reverse sweep back in the National semi-finals they will start with the winner of this match Nebraska and Arkansas still two more Regional finals to come we're joined Now by Arkansas head coach Jason Watson coach Watson you've got a team full of competitors your backs against the wall here what' you tell them during the break yeah I mean I just think we got to go high you know uh we're having a hard time side now we're passing great and uh certainly relentlessly playing some defense but we got to Counterattack uh swinging some high here that'd be great in the first set you guys were in control early are there any adjustments you can make uh you know we're going to split the dial here and see if we can get a little different look at some stuff with some matchups but um but uh I just think offensively we got to challenge this block a little bit more than we have thanks coach we appreciate it yeah cheers so Nebraska figured it out after a slow start in set one Andy Jackson you cannot miss her in the middle for right right now for Nebraska seven kills she's hitting 47 with two blocks she has been impressed of seven kills in mostly in transition after working hard on the blocking side putting herself in a position to score off the Dig and she has been Unstoppable she's so athletic but so in control of her body movements right she never looks like she's going a little crazy with her arms or her legs like she's just so controlled so concise with her movements which makes her really fun to watch and so efficient as well she's talked this week about how this whole week the focus since the second round for for her has been working on her block and Jaylen Reyes and coach Cook have worked with her on that really working to close to get there and I think you're seeing that show up because she's got some great black touches too that don't show up on the stat [Applause] sheet most kills in the last six matches for Andy Jackson Jill Gillan is the leader of this Arkansas Team she came in with one of the highest hitting percentages in the tournament her and her teammate Maggie cartrite but right now they're combining to hit negative it's the block certainly and it's the defense as Holly mentioned at the top of the show how Relentless Nebraska's defense is those diggers and Defenders behind the block how difficult they make it for you to score they frustrate you as an offensive player well on Thursday they held Georgia Tech to 019 right now they're holding Arkansas to 094 those are well below the season averages all right you heard Jason Watson say they were going to spend the dial meaning they were going to start in different rotation to try to get better matchups against Nebraska we'll see how that fares early [Music] on Gillan right into Becca Alex hands that's actually a set that Jill Gillan of Arkansas has been working on kind of move inside trying to create some new angles but Becca Alex all over this one for Nebraska talking to Becca Alex she told us her strength is to be patient she said be late but be right which I love because sometimes when you play against a really fast offense as cartright gets the kill you think you've got to match that speed right you've got to get there early but sometimes when you're there early it leads to bad form cuz you're waiting so Becca Allen she says it's okay to be late I'll Trail but then I'll have a really good form and I'll meet that attacker over the net and it leads to a lot of great [Applause] blocks Arkansas has been Relentless attacking that corner that left deep Corner in the Nebraska serve receive and right now that's Harper Murray now they've adjusted they've slid Harper Murray to the right side this is a must-win set for [Applause] Arkansas mer be up to 12 the only player with double figure kills way out of system situation really nice controlled swing by Mar B just going deep into the court where Arkansas Defenders are [Applause] not want to win great serve and a great response to side out by Arkansas gillan's been trying to turn down that line and that one just right on the money when you're in system Hannah Hog's got to be able to push Joe Gillan all the way out into that antenna so she can go crossport if she wants or she has the ability to turn it down the line Alec in the middle andah hope Dives in to save it Gillan hog will try cart right Rodriguez is there baiton horse seven kills for Alli baor Alli baen horse is long in transition and just cuts that ball to the donut that area in the middle of the Court beautiful transition decision to put it there based on the facial expression I don't know if she meant to do that but you will take it she will take it there's no descriptive passages in the stat sheets no [Applause] no cartright trying to swipe it off that block be readjusting H firing at Taylor head out of the back row and Taylor head who's hitting negative gets kill number three and Arkansas needs Taylor head to get out of her offensive trouble and she comes up with a big swing out of the back row attacking at Bergen Riley the right back Defender for Nebraska I will say we're seeing the same thing from taylorhe head that we saw in the regional semifinals as that serve as long her offense is struggling but the other areas of her game she's working hard on she already has eight dicks yeah and sometimes it just takes a little bit for your offense to get going difference between tonight and what happened on Thursday is they went five with Kentucky so she had the time to be be able to find her offensive Rhythm I don't know if Nebraska is going to be able to give you that today you certainly don't want to there it is though Taylor head she's not a panicky player she's not going to fret and she told us that yesterday she said look I'm calm I wasn't stressed out she said nobody even talked to me on the team when I was in those negative numbers they just knew I was going to figure it out which I love that as a teammate recognizing hey I trust her no reason to go get in her head for any you know no reason just let her be and she'll work herself out of itas [Applause] number that sends Arkansas scrambling a tough serve head will get the swing dug by Rodriguez Taylor head here she comes and we've called her name three plays in a row huge impact getting her Rhythm back she hit this ball so hard and they were out of system and then gets the ball back on top of the net stays aggressive for [Applause] Arkansas Mur off hands where will Hannah hog go back to Pettis the middle but Harper Murray by herself shuts it down siia Pettis has been able to score going behind the center but that time Harper Murray does a really nice job getting out there and getting over the net for Nebraska Harper Murray told us it's been unbelievable playing her first NCAA tournament all at home she knows it's a luxury nice to have the home Crow behind you head just keeps swinging really nice job and that's just the ability to want to recycle the ball yes you know in that situation you're not going to get a kill so you just put really good speed and Tempo on the ball place it in the court and it results in a Kill The Hitter coverage for Arkansas has been fantastic and if you're a hitter like Taylor had going up and Blasting away you want to know that your team's covering him yeah and they've done a great job of that Bergen riy trying to get creative Jackson knows about it and then Jill Gillan tooling the block how about Courtney Jackson all over that Bergen Riley dump first lead for Arkansas in the match since the first set Jason Watson told us at intermission he wanted his attackers to be able to use Nebraska's block better we've seen that here in set three back to Alec behind the setter by Nebraska's trying to use their middles as much as possible they feel like they have an advantage there and look at Becca Alec two blockers for Arkansas there but there's a scene between them they are not a closed up wall and that she makes them pay in the middle just her second kill but she already has eight blocks todayy looking to turn it and too wide I know and it's it's hard you're threading a needle down that line and so she just puts it a little bit too much too much thumb up right and so she just gets a little bit wide there but I like the idea of trying to match and make that right back Defender [Applause] defend this time she tries the off speed court right B has to chase it down and that pulled the block it was a really inside set by Bergen Riley not on purpose but a great job by Meritt be just getting her feet inside look she has to kind of scramble inside but takes a nice swing right inside Pettis his hands and gets the kill the footwork by mer be to get inside to that ball Shuffle Meritt B first year on this year's team on this team and she's already a [Applause] captain taking in a Ser for the away from back number two J [Applause] wson we talked about how young this Nebraska team is the two captains are Juniors Lexi Rodriguez and Meritt when I hear that all I think is they're all returning next year what a terrifying for the rest of the country everyone else is thinking too the Big 10 is like yeah we know thanks for the reminder no seniors on on this Nebraska roster six newcomers five [Applause] freshman short [Music] serve Taylor head and there's the aggressive swing even though there's a big block up there Taylor head attacking that block paying off for Aransas har Murray is a really good server as well she's done a nice job kind of dropping that ball in short both times she's done it Arkansas has been able to side out efficiently that's huge and a service error by hog puts Nebraska up by two the lineing for the number8 Lexi [Applause] Rodriguez [Applause] baiton horse coming in other side to B no touch and a point for [Applause] Arkansas we were talking about Taylor head struggles early in this set she has seven kills on eight swings hitting 875 that's a pretty great response yeah I'd say so [Applause] and then an Ace from Jill Gillan Jill the career Ace leader at Arkansas and she has been relentlessly going to that area five the left deep part of the Court where Ali baiton horse is over there now Harper Murray's taking that [Applause] corner back to back lasers just the ability to hit this ball with the palm of your hand hand so that it dies I mean it just absolutely drops in front of Lexi Rodriguez and Harper Murray what a serve Arkansas back on top and then a service error ties it at 13 ending a 3oh run for the hogs again a must- win set for Arkansas and if you're thinking oh Arkansas has their work cut out for them if they want to reverse sweep well Pittsburgh just accomplished that moments ago [Applause] it it to [Applause] Louisville long from baon hor it was a nice save by Lexi Rodriguez and John Cook does have his challenge card they'll take a second look his team thought that caught the corner I thought it was long we have a pretty good Vantage Point up here in the bird's eyee View and that ball did I agree with you Holly looked a little long I don't know if this is one that you want to waste a challenge on if you're right in your challenge you get to keep [Applause] it it's close but I think I see red between the white line and the ball do you guys yeah I do as well and it was right in front of the line's [Applause] [Music] judge Joseph Guston has a decision for us they're making quick work of these challenges as well nice job appreciate that the call is confirmed so Nebraska will have one challenge remaining unless we go to a fifth set that's the same for Arkansas [Applause] ja wow B horse w in it back Bergen riy goes right back to her after the Miss Ali B horse on the left pin at 65 she is long and this is a fast ball out to the pin Arkansas's block chasing she told her her greatest strength is vision and awareness of the block being able to see what's in front of her so she can take it if it's there like we just saw or make a play to recycle it Allie baon horse has had to step up and fill the spot of Lindsay krowy who has not played since October [Applause] 14th Taylor Head har Murray coming in that's in what a swing that swing gets the crowd on its feet inside the de Center Nebraska of 1514 in set three Arkansas has a two-headed monster and Joe Gillan and Taylor head and Taylor head got off to a slow start just like we saw on Thursday quite frankly but my goodness she settles in and she comes back with a vengeance she has been phenomenal for Arkansas in this third set so efficient she's gotten kills from every part of this floor and you know who loves it her grandmother Joanne you go girl Joanne in the house her parents here also cheering on the Hogs who have never been to this round of the tournament before her granddaughter helping arkansaw make history but they have got to win this set in order to extend the [Applause] match Nebraska goes goes after Taylor head power tip up by [Applause] B head take two Jason Watson was right Attack the Block and good things will happen you don't want to avoid them it's been a good third set for taylorhe head of Arkansas so resilient unbelievable mental toughness we've seen from Taylor head does not love struggles face her and she has got Arkansas back in this third set P back [Applause] row siia Pettis got that one number Pettis number Hannah Hans Arkansas look at siia ptis go behind Lexi Rodriguez digs it but siia Pettis doesn't have to go far to block that ball because it's an inside set to Harper Murray four blocks for Arkansas Nebraska with double figure blocks that's the right [Music] [Applause] Callie this serve dropped right before the in line and you had a line judge call it out fortunately we can't see it from that angle but you had the head official overrule the line judge and call that ball in larous lead for Arkansas [Applause] so Sails Long on Murray and the Hogs extend it to three neas Nebraska will take a [Applause] [Music] timeout well this Arkansas team led by by head coach John Cook but he brought in a Very Special Assistant Susie Fritz who was a longtime coach at K State is now on the Arkansas bench and Jill Gillan told us she was exactly the person that Jill needed for this season to remind her how much she loved the sport but it didn't start that way because Jill Gillan was a little hesitant because this coach was the head coach of Kansas State where she grew up in Kansas and did not recruit her so she did not know how it was going to turn out but for Jason Watson he said it's been amazing to have Fritz on the bench with him it's another head coach to collaborate with yeah Jason Watson was a assistant 22 years ago for Susie Fritz at K State also takes a special kind of person who was a head coach for two decades to be able to join a staff as an assistant and associate head coach and and realize there's a fine line of letting a head coach do what he has to do and finding your ways to impact this team and su's navigated that extremely well well tomorrow on ESPN the 10th Annual Basketball Hall of Fame women's showcase double header is at Mohan Sun in Connecticut number one South Carolina squaring off against Utah at 230 followed by a second top 25 battle Yukon and North Carolina in between these games we will have the 23rd annual WNBA draft lottery for Bristol Arkansas on a 40 run they have to win this set to extend the match Arkansas's done a nice job of getting Nebraska out of [Applause] system poke to Taylor head who's been on fire ly Choy got it up and then Harper Murray with a little [Applause] attitude for Nebraska we talk about Nebraska's defense look at Laney chow boy out of right back she was deep pancake to keep it alive it but it goes over Harper Murray there defensively on the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Block Alec rejected the dump by [Applause] hog M saved by Taylor head how good has she been to be able to hit this angle in this kind of shot in an out of system situation where Hannah hog is on the Run just shows the versatility and the range that Taylor head has to be able to thread that kind of needle right inside of Becca Alex hands really nice St but the location of the set is definitely wider and I think that's allowing her to create more angles [Applause] offensively p in back row [Applause] ptis Gillan CH booy swipes set it they can use Harper Murray Harper muray look at CH booy get under this ball one arm and then Bergen Riley pushes it out to Harper Murray Harper Murray's been working on getting out that footwork in transition and it pays off there both defenses are so good at keeping a Play Alive with one hand just popping it up into the middle of the Court eighth kill for Murray Gyan trying to challenge the block NOP Meritt beas and Becca Alec going to work look at them synch block that is a Nebraska wall because of the serve you knew Hannah hog only had one place to go with that she's bump setting Jill Gillan which allows both blockers to get out to that outside pin and set up a great [Applause] block so Nebraska down a point it's a race to 25 B with a season High seven blocks Becca Alec with nine Nebraska is the top overall seed again the first time that they've been the number one overall seed since 2016 two of those times ladies they've won a national championship and I would just take us back to set one they have not really been tested a whole lot in this NCAA tournament and Arkansas threw the first punch they hit him in the mouth I think stunned him a little bit and then Nebraska did not flinch their response in set one being down by six points at most at one point was really impressive to be tested on this stage and to come back in that way and be unfazed I think is really impressive especially when you're talking about a pretty young group their response was incredible and and you saw them fight back at at the end of that first set they put so much pressure on Arkansas to come back and win that first set well something that's been big today for Nebraska no surprise right some defense they're blocking 13 blocks led by Becca Alec who has nine you know what Jaylen Reyes the assistant coach has to be really happy with his Scout yesterday in practice because his blockers have gone out and executed the game plan extremely well yes Arkansas likes to run a really fast tempo offense but Nebraska has adjusted extremely well to that pace and Jaylen Rays not only has he done a fantastic job as a defensive coordinator he has done an amazing job recruiting top class in the country two different years and then second best the other year down by a point here make it to Arkansas the first to 20 little traffic jam up there and Arkansas gets the ball to drop J Arkansas had the lead early in set one right when we got to point 20 can you play clean volleyball to close this thing out in fourth of four some teams call this the Red Zone from 20 to 25 Dropped In how about Zoe Evans that is a timely block she is in there to make big defensive stops and it pays off right here in the middle she knows Bergen Riley wow she was late she didn't know Bergen riy was going back but she makes an adjustment good press on the Block [Applause] there so a timeout here guys this is the same score that we saw in set number one 21 to 18 Arkansas can they hang on both of these teams trying to get to Tampa there are only three spots left because pit the Panthers are back they are back at their third straight semifinal a reverse sweep of Louisville talk about resiliency Louisville was in control in Pittsburgh up two sets to none and Pittsburgh just dug in and fought their way back resilient gutsy performance from Dan Fisher's group grou and pit was hitting around 500 in that third set in that comeback oh well the last three sets of that match pit out hit Louisville 350 to 114 that'll do it yeah that will and that's what pit does well defense so pit Will face the winner of this match you know the Panthers have their eyes on who's going to win here we've also got an excellent slate of late night games as well up at Wisconsin against Oregon and then you've got the late night Night Out West Stanford and Texas get your cup of coffee ready yeah Texas played a thriller against Tennessee went five sets lasted over three [Music] hours Arkansas Four Points away from extending the match Jada Lawson on the serve [Applause] mer be dug by Taylor head Rodriguez back to B Meritt beas that time on the left side scoring for Nebraska in transition Harper Murray coach John Cook told us that Harper Murray is the best at the end of the set after 20 [Applause] points let's see how she shows up here with her serve Evans out of the middle Bergen Riley will give it to Harper Murray how about that Holly okay dig and kill by Harper Murray she's always involved after 20 and rightfully so great job getting this to Bergen Riley and then comes right up the middle on the bck Hearts the seas in between those two blockers for the [Applause] kill Taylor head too much power 2220 I always felt like Setters were a little bit of copycats right it's like oh they just ran a B I can run a big too let me run a big to Taylor head here and Taylor head capitalizes well Hannah hog was in the front row and she had Zoe Evans up there who doesn't get a lot of sets so there weren't a lot of options either was Gillan in the front row or head out of the back row here's hog on the [Applause] serve Bey cartright yes that's in how about that defensive blck Touch by Arkansas off the bees in attack able to turn that in to a big point for Arkansas you know the Razer backs were thinking back to set one they let it slip away keep the your foot on the gas if you're [Applause] Arkansas right Morgan Riley back to B just done a really nice job from the service line especially late in this set three they have forced Nebraska out of system time and time again to the point get they're out of syn even in transition and that's when Arkansas plays their best volleyball that's why serving is so crucial for this Arkansas Team set point for Arkansas Nebraska has not lost a set in the tournament yet service error still set point Razer backs line serving for the Huskers number eight Lexi Rodriguez this is a rotation for Arkansas that they like to run that X Out of the middle but it didn't work early in this [Music] match this time they use cartri on the slide she tips and Arkansas forces a fourth set First Time The Corn Huskers have dropped a set in the tournament great job being clean and executing the game plan late in this set to be able to force this thing to go to four Taylor head a big part of that for Arkansas she's got 10 kills one of three players in double figures eight of those for head coming in this third set we go to a fourth here in Lincoln Gillan of Arkansas is the heart and soul of this team she Wills this team to win 11 kills on 38 swing she's taken some tough ones challenging that big Nebraska block she's also got two blocks and three service Aces for Arkansas pushing this match to a fourth set there are her parents in the stands her mom Katie played volleyball at Morehead State her dad John is an orthopedic surgeon he actually had to go back home to perform a surgery yesterday and then they came back to here in Lincoln to make sure they could see Jill play today duty calls but I cannot imagine how proud the gillons have to be of their daughter and what she has accomplished in her time at Aransas with this team it has been truly remarkable Arkansas was able to force this fourth set with a 2521 win in set number three there goes Jill Gillan diving in to save it as Meritt B Harper Murray to the floor she's in double figures and Harper Murray is attacking against Hannah h the smaller Blocker on that right side for Arkansas that's a matchup that Nebraska wants to [Applause] push back to Gillan off of the block Jason Watson told us before the third set he thought his team was passing the ball extremely well they just weren't utilizing the block they've done that since that inter inter in set three and here to start great pass right on top of Hannah Hog's head and then Joe gills able to abuse the [Applause] block Riley going to Becca Alec in the middle Nebraska stays in system and when they have that perfect pass well a little bit off the net still able to feed Becca Alec she loves a good battle and she's fired up Becca Alec four kills no errors nine blocks her career highest 10 bo back row to Taylor head who had eight kills in that third set and this time Alec with an attacking a we had some time to visit with Becca Alec yesterday and I absolutely love what she had to say about Arkansas she said that team has a bunch of dogs on it and she said I absolutely love love watching Jill Gill in play she said I can't wait for the opportunity to play against her today because there's so much mutual respect there she said they play the game the right way they play with so much heart she said this is what it's about high level athletes doing everything they can to win laying it on the line and she said I I would cherish the moment going against Jill Gillan I thought that was remarkable to hear from a sophomore right going against her opponent it was so cool to hear the mutual respect B goes line 15 kills to lead the Huskers back to thir for the Huskers number eight Lexi [Music] [Applause] Rodriguez still gets a swing Lexi Rodriguez will set baiton H Maggie cartright off hands out of the back row all the power for Harper Murray they love it and for a good reason all smiles from Harper Murray a great dig Bergen Riley they have such a good connection they played together for multiple years on the US 18 and 19's team great job running a bck having a fourth option in the back row 11 kills seven dicks three blocks for Harper Murray and then Bon horse all by herself with a little stop that's 14 blocks now for Nebraska this is something Jaylen Rez talked about when they ran The Scouting Report and Ali ba horse all over that knew what was coming good block defense 14 blocks it's a few it's a lot 12th time this season they have had double figure blocks their season high is 15 a half there were three blockers in front of Jill Gillan on that [Applause] swing Harper Murray goes off speed this time after bringing the cannon the time before oh Jill Gillan took some big swings in this rally but Harper Murray just the mest Touch look at her get on top of that ball and drop it right in the donut center of the court in the middle of all the Defenders so smart to see her use her toolkit that's a 40 run now for Nebraska oh just going over two shoots I love a two shoot I know you do sneaky you don't expect it right back into the donut Holly a shorter Setters you got to utilize shots like that definitely and a gutsy time to do it yeah that ball did not move did you see that serve there was no movement flat and clean C Kay our US Olympic team coach calls that a fleeing serve and Jill Gil has Gillan has been executing that really well today for Arkansas Four Aces for Jill Gillan today her career high is five May P will take that tooling the block to give her 16 kills for Nebraska number 13 Meritt [Applause] P we might need to be on triple double watch for Meritt beon ladies 16 kills seven digs seven [Applause] [Music] blocks with the tip or Riley to Harper Murray Hannah H blade out for it with one hand but into the net great defense on both sides Alli baiton horse the left front Defender comes all the way across the court to dig that ball she made that happen for Nebraska me offense is fun but the defense that we have seen on both sides the extra hustle plays you don't make it this far in the NCAA tournament if you can't play defense like this I was going to say it's fitting for the round of eight it you got to have it cartright coming in baiton horse's turn and the block for Zoe [Music] that's her third Block in the middle for Arkansas that's what she's in there fory Arkansas down by two this is another must-win set for the [Applause] Hogs turns it too far does Ali baiton h Bergen Riley but it's up by hog nice shot by B just holding on to that there fre ball here for the Razer [Music] [Applause] backs m gets the swing Arkansas's trying to hit those High hands deep but Harper Murray's playing center field in that middle back position and digging everything and then getting that big attack to drop again in transition chb boy going after Taylor head and then a huge dig for ly [Applause] Choy Murray just out I love listening to this Nebraska crowd they're so educated when it comes to the game of volleyball you can tell what's happening on the court based on their reactions I think they wanted a double call there I think they did they've wanted a few today going to say not the first time they would be strict officials I would [Applause] say perfectly executed by Harper Murray great hand contact she gets on top of the ball and it happen so fast that defense can [Music] [Applause] adjust Harper Murray carries such a big load and she has from day one John Cook told us she has that mentality like Jordan Larson who obviously is an incredible player won Gold on the to on in Tokyo with Team USA was the MVP a three-time All-American here at Nebraska now on the coaching staff out of play point for Nebraska [Applause] neas [Applause] Arkansas is hitting negative in this set right now that doesn't help as Nebraska's block has been so good 15 blocks the largest lead for the Corn Huskers and they're executing their Scouting Report extremely well they know that Taylor head wants to turn that ball down the line if she's got the opportunity and they set up and take it away from her three run for [Applause] Nebraska tries to power tip it to the back corner Bergen Riley there you go Katie I love when the sets get involved yes you're the key facilitator distributor but throw down two shoot if you got it Nebraska on a 40 run Arkansas calls time time out there's so many players to talk about on the Nebraska side but freshman Harper Murray this set five kills on seven swings hitting 571 she's got three blocks on the match and she has been getting it done lately playing that middle back defensive position and then hitting that big ball in transition Harper Murray the conference freshman of the year you see her kills by set five here [Applause] she's not just attacking by the way she's playing six rotations there's a lot of responsibility that comes with that of the true freshman she's done it all season the underclassman have been such a big part of Nebraska's run they have only lost one match and underclassman look at what they have accounted for 55% of their kills 52% of their dicks 44% of their blocks all by underclassman there's Harper Murray but it's long if you are looking for Oregon and Wisconsin that match is going to start on ESPN news you can also see it on the ESPN app great opportunity to pull up your second screen finish watching this match yeah don't leave us yeah stay with us we will get you there once we finish here in Lincoln [Music] Lexi Rodriguez comes out of nowhere and Harper Murray gets it over that's Nebraska [Applause] defense Jackson back set to Gillan Choy up to Harper Murray does not get the touch call and everyone on Nebraska side of the court is going to John Cook pull the cart I agree I saw it off the side of the block Harper Murray pushes it off the outside hand of the blocker you can see it in real time we're going to see it again here on a replay this ball goes off the outside hand of the blocker that wrist right there and forearm I like that Jaylen Reyes was almost the one he was like holding it up and then he realized oh yeah I can't challenge as an assist I got to give it to John Jaylen Reay the assistant coach for Nebraska he is animated he is he fun to watch yeah they're in the black shirt and now the fans have all seen it on the Jumbotron and they went in on the action to let the refs know what they think hey the great news is if you're right in your challenge you get to keep it and there was a touch so Nebraska still has one challenge remaining unless we go to a fifth set Arkansas also has Oney [Applause] raising the tape with the serve Meritt B and I wonder if Jason Watson pulls the card I thought that might have been down let's take another look he will challenge does Lexi Rodriguez get her fingertips her fingernails under this ball for the pancake I think she does and a nice play in recovery oh no not on that look it hit the floor I think she's got her fingertips under it just at the at the hair split second right there yeah I think that she's got her fingers under it if any part of the ball the ball popped up it looked like it was a pancake because there's no float to it but did it hit any part of the floor yeah if it hits any part of the the floor it's down and I think that come on guys I know I love the effort I I think that look shows you that it hits the floor all right does that mean I owe you a beer after this Courtney okay or one of those beignet yeah I will take one of those again green gateau has the best beignet anywhere fantastic find so they do reverse the call it was down much to Katie Shin good effort by Nebraska heads up call by Jason to the challeng [Applause] it and that's going to be a net violation on Nebraska Harper Murray and Becka Al were fighting over that overball that over dig Arkansas is on a 4 to one run [Applause] run beon soaring nice block touch Gillan up by CH boy and a net violation on Nebraska five to one run [Applause] Arkansas John Cook will take a timeout nice jot by Jada Lawson from the service line to get Arkansas on this run here a junior out of North Little Rock Arkansas Arkansas has been attacking that area five trying to get a deep into the corner to pull that pass off the net and keep Nebraska off the [Applause] net well Arkansas already a historic season their most wins since 1999 they beat Steven F Austin TCU and then Kentucky a team they had not beaten since 2012 to make it to their very first round of eight and they're trying to make their first semi-final they've got to win this set they're down by one how fitting that they had to go through Kentucky a team that Jill Gillan had never beaten in her career Jason Watson as head coach of Arkansas had not beaten as you mentioned the last win came in 2012 to have to go through a conference opponent foe like they did and fight their way to five sets and knock them off for the first time in a long time that was really I think special for us to get to witness and call absolutely this team has a lot of heart they always feel like the underdog and they have something to prove they're never going to give up they let the first set slip away after leading by six points Nebraska closed on a 10 to3 [Applause] [Applause] run killing off the block Alex sends it [Applause] back Eric P Becca allet knew right where to tap it ball off the block pops over the net and Becca Alec attacks the open court right over Gillan five kills 10 blocks for Becca Alec and Harper Murray behind the service line her allaround game late in this match has been critical for [Applause] Nebraska Gillan inside Bergen Riley back to Meritt B and it's block Zoe Evans Zoe Evans is a defensive presence in for Arkansas middle blocker nice job tracking this back set facing those Palms back to the court and look at the urgency and excitement from Zoe [Applause] Evans smart play to pass that ball up C right tips in the block mer p in the middle of the Court missed opportunity there for Arkansas sending that over the net to Nebraska mer B with a double double 177 kills 10 dig seven blocks Arkansas has a stack on the left side of the Court watch cart right run a [Applause] [Music] slide Dyan Rodriguez with the dive and they call it double contact on Nebraska and Nebraska fans like most fan bases are going to say how can you call that on us if you're not going to call that on them which there has B been a couple questionable controversial no calls in this match bton horse is rejected by Maggie cartright but Jill Gillan starts the whole process gets Nebraska out of system that allows Arkansas to set up their block inside and shut baon horse down eight blocks for Arkansas first time we've been tied since it was three all and B will tool it Taylor head is there just needs to be more disciplined turning her left hand back into the court to block that ball for [Applause] Arkansas [Music] [Applause] [Music] and the serve is long tied up at [Applause] [Music] [Applause] 17y borse looking to swipe it but doesn't get any contact to that Arkansas block and the Razer back's lead first lead since it was 3-2 feel like that set for baiton horse needs to be wider so she can attack that ball down the line have a little bit more range Arkansas must win this set to force a fifth they get an Ace from Courtney Jackson right before that ball was sered Nebraska looked all out of sorts they were trying to move their stack and Arkansas takes advantage they were late in their communication and getting set up and then obviously Harper Murray can't quite get a handle on this we've talked to you about the size disparity between these two teams there's also an age gap between these two teams this is a young Nebraska team that has had a lot of success but this is a Grizzly old veteran Arkansas team that has been through a lot over the years they've been left out of the NCAA tournament multiple times they have a chip on their shoulder as you mentioned Holly and now the question is we know that Arkansas is not going to refuse to give up or quit here does this add pressure to a young team and how do they come out and respond after now Arkansas taking a two-point lead here in the fourth what are they playing for well a spot in the semi-finals winner of this match will play pit that'll be Thursday on ESPN still two more matches to come Wisconsin Oregon currently on ESPN news we'll get you there as soon as we're finished here in Lincoln Nebraska they know the feeling the program does of getting to the National semi-finals they have been there 16 times Arkansas has never made it to this round let alone the semi-finals but if any group can do it it's the one on the floor right now for the Razer backs and some of these players on the Arkansas side of the net this could be their last collegiate match they're fighting for their career to continue on the other side of the net a lot of young players Arkansas has led in every set after 36 points combined they were up 20 to 16 in the 1 1917 in the second and now here in the third the 40 that's the response Nebraska needed out of the timeout absolutely and that's just a textbook side out right you get a great pass off the serve Hannah hul has options excuse me Bergen Riley has options and then baiton horse puts it [Applause] away Beren Riley will use Bon out of the back row long and they are adamant that there was a touch on [Applause] it John Cook will use it I don't think Meritt Bon was going to give him another chance no another Choice coach grab that [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] c might have seen something yeah need to look at it again possibly the left hand of [Music] [Applause] head so hard to tell yeah if it's not definitive they can't overturn the call which was no touch [Music] [Applause] don't know if we saw enough on our end I already owe you a beer so I'm staying quiet on this I thought it was a beignet okay oh that's way better yep how about both yes Jason Watson chatting with his team giving them a chance to reset regardless of the outcome here if Nebraska is not correct in this challenge they will not have any more until we go to the fifth set they have a decision here we'll see what it is they revers the call and The Crowd Goes Wild and not a lot of fight from the Arkansas players there Hanah got the group together said we're fine let's move on [Applause] 190 cartright showboy diving and Maggie cartright will get credited with the [Applause] kill Maggie cartrite has a well formed Block in front of her this is a cut shot along the net and it falls in front of the right back Defender choby a race to 25 points Arkansas must win to force a fifth a win for Nebraska they're going to Tampa every Point certainly matters that there are more important points than others in volleyball and right now can you play error free volleyball to get yourself to a fifth set of your Arkansas to close this thing out and punch your ticket to a national semi-final up your [Applause] Nebraska an error on Arkansas Jason Watson call timeout the crowd behind the hometown Huskers and this is a tough rotation for Arkansas Hannah hobes in the front row so there's only two hitters available they're loading Taylor head up on the left side so it's really hard to push it all the way to the right side of the court and not to mention with Hannah hog in the front row you know that Nebraska's looking to isolate her as a blocker Nebraska has all had all kinds of success at home 20 and0 at home this season 14 sweeps they've only dropped seven sets 21 straight NCAA tournament wins at home that is an incredible number it's a huge advantage to play in this environment with your fan support they were lined up two hours before first serve to get in the building gbr faithful one of the best one of the best fan bases in the country if not the best I think Wisconsin would argue with you but we could possibly see both fan bases in Tamp here in a week yes we could standing room only all the way up at the rafters and people sprinted in the front door to get to those seats we saw people sprinting up the stairs to get that front row standing room only at the top it's notot of stairs to climb it is work a lot easier coming down yep Nebraska has Harper Murray in the front row John Cook has told us after 20 Harper Murray takes over let's [Applause] watch Kennedy or serving Nebraska four points away from [Applause] Tampa TI by head Riley to Harper Murray dig Gillan out of the back row Big Time dig by Jill Gill in number 10 for Arkansas and then a kill out of the back row not sure how she hit that shot Arkansas obviously taking advantage of that timeout they used to calm [Applause] down Gillan now in the front [Applause] row har Murray off hands [Applause] Alex sends it back H going with the slide to Pettis y it's blocked Becca alen going to work in the middle for Nebraska watch her drop her hand to seal the net in the middle that's 11 blocks for Becca Alec a new career [Applause] high attacking eror for Taylor head P Huskers two points away [Applause] that system swing Match Point [Applause] Nebraska Bo [Applause] Hannah hog winning the joust at the net keeping Arkansas alive second match point coming for Nebraska and now Jada Lawson who had a very nice serving run for Arkansas she will step back with everything on the [Applause] line and a challenge is coming I believe Nebraska is challenging that Arkansas was in the net violation interesting Challenge and often times you'll hear coaches say use it or lose it if you're going to a fifth set sometimes they take this opportunity to do a challenge just so they can have another moment with their team yeah Nebraska doesn't have any timeouts so that could very well be the case also a chance to ice the server oh yeah Hannah hog her hand is in the [Applause] net oh you're so right and you just absolutely hate that this match is going to end on a challenge on a challenge like that just the follow through of that joust her fingers clipped the top of the tape do they see the same thing we do does the match come down to this if they have that look that is definitely a net violation on Arkansas and would give Nebraska the win every one on their feet inside the dean Center wow wow so they signal inconclusive they did not see what we saw so we play on Arkansas you live to see another day can they take advantage second match Point [Applause] Nebraska Becca Alec in the middle stopped by Zoe Evans arkans Nebraska's been successful attacking out of the middle they go there but stop by Arkansas third Match Point Nebraska service eror a sea of red is headed to Tampa Nebraska back to the [Applause] semifinals the 17th time that Nebraska Corn Huskers will play in the National semifinals such a complete team Nebraska is so good dominant in All Phases of the game it truly is so much fun to watch well I believe defense wins championships and they base everything they do off their defense and we'd be remissed if we didn't mention Joe Gillan What a joy it truly has been to cover her collegate career at Arkansas she has been such a fun player to root for and I congratulate her on a tremendous tremendous collegate career at Arkansas and the whole team I mean Jill Gillan was the leader emotionally on the team but the whole team what a performance in the NCA tournament but Nebraska we talked about it they hadn't been tested in the tournament until today how did you see them respond when they were tested right off the bat well they were put under a lot of stress I I felt like they kept their composure and then started to do what they do best and and that's block touches if they can't block the ball straight down and then their transition offense was fantastic they were able to make [Applause] adjustments and for the 17th time the first time since 2021 Nebraska is back in the National semi final they will take on [Music] pit on Thursday in Tampa you think about this what Nebraska has done this far in the season with six new faces five freshman and they've only lost one match and they're going to the National semi-finals [Music] they've gotten better every single time they have stepped on the court John Cook will tell you this team absolutely loves to train they motivate themselves every month they have improved and they are playing their best volleyball when it matters [Applause] most a dangerous team has punched their ticket the Nebraska Corn Huskers going back to Tampa we will see them in action against pit on Thursday let's get you to Wisconsin and Oregon already in action what a day here in Lincoln Nebraska victorious in four sets over Arkansas