2024 Aug 27 - Volleyball - #9 Kentucky vs. #2 Nebraska - 2024 College Volleyball Season - 20240827

there's so much excitement for the start of a new season that we're building the drama to the countdown just a little bit more you can take it right great Nebraska crowd turning out as always Kentucky fans turning out and we are just about ready for the first serve of a new season they just want us to wait a little bit longer right why why it's been a long time since December let's go let's play the first serve of new season belongs to the sophomore from South Dakota Bergen Riley in the 2024 volleyball season is underway that drops in and the first point goes to Kentucky the Wildcats ranked ninth in the country a season ago picked up 21 wins 17- one in the SEC the seven time defending SEC Champs or co-champs that's how dominant they've been for a while that one drops down and the first point for Nebraska how about Bergen Riley isolating her left side hitter Kentucky block is frozen in the middle you see that and then Meritt beas is the beneficiary on the outside hard contact not much that Elanor be could do about that one 21 Nebraska play a best of five really nice shot by Nebraska putting the on Kentucky forcing that over pass so Rebecca Allen can go up and bang Harper Murray sent back Rodriguez with the bump set Murray reloads Kentucky there defensively swing from delay who's got a big arm she'll try again but Nebraska's defense is there Elite defensively time it again really nice job by Meritt B on that right side for Nebraska setting up a really strong block so that Rebecca Alec could close totally seal the net there excellent block Nebraska held opponents to a 137 hitting percentage a season too tops in division one for a second straight season delay tries again that's off hands and it's a point for Kentucky Brooklyn delay worked this summer in the USA gym and she had to find more tools bigger block internal and that was one of them that flat High swing off the big block delay the SEC freshman of the year and honorable mentioned allamerican from the ABCA Molly tuzo back to serve Craig Skinner could not say enough great things about number 12 and the work she has done to be ready to take her game to the next level SEC all freshman last year there is tzo she does a great job keeping points alive set for delay Riley to be and delay there on the Block Brooklyn delay for Kentucky looked around to see where that ball went but block successful for Kentucky there you see Craig Skinner former Nebraska assistant coach coach of the year just a couple of years ago national champions back in that 2020 2021 season the first sec team to win a National Title beon digs it out Gro with the set the back row attack from The Freshman Thigpen delay drops it in showing a soft touch so we know she's got the big arm and she's showing a softer side as well well Holly just talked about it she's trying to get more Tools in her toolkit trying to mix it up to keep a defense honest nice job by imig keeping her in system and tight enough to the net so she could place that tip right over Nebraska's block good service run here for tuo is KY in front great serve at the Nets and the point for Kentucky Brook Tima the red shirt freshman from Cincinnati did not play last year had an ankle injury in the preseason so making her Collegiate debut and Brook btim had to be patient on that ball because the setter for Nebraska Bergen Riley could jump up and set that and she couldn't block it otherwise tuo locked in right now Murray there's Kentucky there with the block and Kentucky continues their run cig Skinner told us pregame coming into this match he feels like this is the best serving team he has at Kentucky he loves the way that they're being aggressive from the service line and really putting it on passers now they've obviously started off great job with Molly tuo five run tuzo again again another good serve a line drive handled by Nebraska but Rebecca Alec was off the mark six nothing run for Kentucky and this is a team for Kentucky that needs to serve tough they want to use their speed and they also know rallies are going to be extended against a team like Nebraska so their hitter coverage is crucial worth pointing out Molly tuo would be a starting labero on most teams in the country if it were not for Elanor Bon being a true senior here for the Kentucky Wild Cats Craig skner determined to get her on the court as much as possible and she just showed that at the service line that run end with the service error so it was a six nothing run for Kentucky to put them on top 73 and now Lexi Rodriguez speaking of great libros roome baltim Off the Mark Point Nebraska Rodriguez in her final season in Lincoln a four-year starter a threee Captain two time first team All-American All-American three times overall that's a big swing from Asia th pen freshman from Pittsboro North Carolina and Craig Skinner knew that Asia th pin would be on the floor tonight she didn't know he didn't know what capacity but you see her defensive specialist out of the back row with the kill so you'll see her come in for Aaron lamb who's playing outside right now she just checked into the game figpin will play in the back row great hustling play by tuzo who else free ball at the net and B takes advantage really nice timing by Meritt B there tracking that ball it was a great first touch by Molly tuzo unfortunately Elanor beev sends out a little bit too tight heads up play by Merritt B exactly what you'd expect from the leader on this Nebraska team one of the great stars in college volleyball the senior from Gardendale Alabama in her second year now Nebraska with the serve off hands good hustling play by delay but it heads out of play and it's a point for Nebraska 25th year for John Cook at Nebraska 689 wins four national titles his 31st season overall the ABCA National coach of the year last year we didn't want to dig up too many questions from how last year ended but we did ask was he shocked by what happened against Texas in the national championship and shook his head right away said I thought we were going to win the national championship I thought we had the team it was our moment all credit to Texas for how great they played in Tampa coming out of the Stanford Regional Texas came in and really took care of Wisconsin and Nebraska by serving the B exceptionally well on the big stage but you have to think guys that it's invaluable experience because there are so many true sophomores over on this Nebraska team at this point they were true freshman a year ago that experience playing on that stage in a national title game has to do good for them going into this season they have to be comfortable with each other on the biggest of stages no seniors of course as well documented on last year's team and cook has said we are the most motivated team in the country a motivated Nebraska dangerous thing a frightening thing lamb tried to throw it down and she does successfully Kentucky up three here in set number one Emma gr the setter for Kentucky is so good pushing that out to the left pin and Aaron Lamb's able to sneak that one through the block here is boltim back to serve catches the tape good diving save for Nebraska's Andy it turns into a point for Nebraska that's just a heads up play by Harper Murray she recognizes that you've got a middle blocker back to serve middle blockers sometimes are not the greatest of Defenders I think that's fair to say She lays a tip right in front of Baltimore out of her reach just a really nice job of recognizing who's in the back row at a given time by Harper Murray can I borrow your phone this is when your middle blocker Friends start texting you saying it'll happen yes it'll happen do not insult us time and again K I think there's a trend that middle blockers are taking more pride in their serve and their defense these days way higher level trying to be more complete players yeah they're usually so tall though you know it's hard to get down there but usually good servers High contact Point Asia O'Neal for Texas last year came up with some big dig go her serving runs were incredible too back roow ATT for be but the single block Jordan d r sh freshman she didn't play last year but Craig Skinner loves how she hand the the big stage one-onone on an island you know what you're going to get from Meritt be coming up middle out of that back row she's getting all the love from her teammates for that stuff block as she should they go away from Dy this time good save there by Gro lamb off the net Gro with a dig it was beon with the first save lamb tries to drop it in big swing dug out by be again lamb dials one up for the Kentucky kill great point for Kentucky Craig Skinner loves it Kentucky came up with some big digs stayed in the rally and got a few opportunities lamb finally able to go to work after this dig by beon look at Gro push that pace again to the left side and lamb Works through the block here's Gro with the serve three time ABCA allame but a service air point for Nebraska and I think hly what grome does such a nice job of is even when they're in medium situations not a perfect pass she gets her feet there and she takes an average situation and makes it a better one and puts her hitters in positions to succeed that's the Mark I think of a veteran Setter definitely that's what makes EMR special third on ky's alltime assist list as she enters her final season with the wild cats Kenedy or with the serve for Nebraska Riley with the bump set we've seen the return of Lindsay krowy who missed most of last year last played October 14th last season because of an injury and a point for Nebraska [Applause] that time Meritt be out of the back row find some space to operate you see the cover play on this Tight Ball and then the pipe down the middle Dy took a step left third kill for b lamb leading the way for Kentucky so far with three kills and Kentucky gets the point back a little bit of a frustrated look for John Cook we talked to all four coaches for these two matchups leading up to the matches here today and it's such a challenge because you don't really have time to figure out who you are or what you have but you have to figure things out against a top 10 opponent here tonight but Craig Skinner told us he said look we can learn way more about ourselves tonight than we can in a 3 Victory no matter what happens we're going to get challenged we're going to get exposed and that's going to help us grow here's the Nebraska block Rebecca Alec leading the charge at the net Rebecca Alec is just so dynamic Lally with her footwork she's so fast and able to close and gain speed the closer she gets to those pinside blockers great job by Becca Alec grome Wilson is blocked Scramble for it it's a point for Kentucky we've reached our first media timeout of the first match of the season and the Kentucky Wild Cats are up by four at dominoes we've heard in focus groups that some people don't love our classic crust too doughy not thin enough so here's another Pizza all the ingredients come together and so what if I told you this was Domino for Domino introducing Domino's New York style pizza try it tonight well it was a remarkable freshman year for Harper Murray on the court but since the national championship match in Tampa it's been a complicated off seon she said she takes respons ibility for her actions and has also focused on her mental health much of what she's dealt with was documented in the excellent E60 documentary there's no place like Nebraska hope you've had a chance to see that it'll also be shown after our second match tonight tonight turning the page on a new season and I'm sure thrilled to be on the court so far for Murray she's got a couple of kills on seven swings she'll watch here as Kentucky puts it into play out of the media timeout Riley with the quick set to the middle and Rebecca Alec it is Rebecca formerly coming off a great season a year ago Rebecca Alec is so dynamic as a blocker but also can be an offensive threat as well on a quick one set here from Bergen Riley She's Got either option either side of the court she goes wrist away there deep to zone five excellent swing delay on serive set for Wilson Riley Murray back on the court there's thig pen for Kentucky crowy on the attack oh great job and big pen almost got there but it's a point for Nebraska so lindsy krowy as I mentioned her last match was October 14th against Penn State 14 total matches had an ankle injury John Cook did not have her at his disposal for that run to the championship game so good to see her back on the court just adds to this amazing depth for this Nebraska team she's got an absolute Cannon so does Mar be the defensive transition from Nebraska has been so impressive they're trying to go quick to Wilson for Kentucky on the right side but Rebecca Alex so quick to block that ball and Nebraska just turning those digs into points rowy with the serve delay this is just such a nice job by immigr heck of a serve from Nebraska kuy's in an out of system situation so imig's on the Run look she runs past the 10 foot line still is able to put delay in a quick in Tempo in system set even though the pass didn't warrant it really nice job by Groome getting her feet there tzo back to serve she had that great service run Kentucky had a six nothing R to go in front but one and done this time out for tzo Point Nebraska [Music] Rodriguez back to serve another back row attack for big p b tuo with the set little too tight at the net Gro keeps it alive good save by Riley be off hands Point Nebraska bodies on the floor keeping the ball up for Nebraska Meritt finishes the job off the hands of the KY block I'll tell you Kentucky has missed some opportunities with their transition setting yeah three or four times too tight unhitable balls Rome looks for the point Katie George's favorite right there you got shoot from an undersiz Setter just when you think she's going to go out to one of the pins she just shoots it sideways right over the net skirt skirt right to the donut is what we like to call that Eric don't get hungry it's going to be a long night we do need a between match snack so are there dut shops around here that sounds good let's see what we can do that's a quick attack right there and the big swing by [Applause] andy9 year sorry I'm just so excited because she's so unbelievably explosive my goodness she gets up on a 31 Gap set look at the angle she's able to cut there because of how high and she elevates able to contact that ball at such a high point Kentucky gets it back Wild Cat's definitely in the fight here first set Nebraska has to be aware that the setter is front row she's already attacked the ball with that two hands set over a block need to stay on Emma when she's in the front row Holly were you an aggressive attacking Setter sometimes I preferred setting my hitters but every once in a while it's important to attack and keep them honest Oli loves sharing the wealth you did too K that's going to head out of play and that's another point for Kentucky we creep closer and closer to the 20 point mark we play to 25 I have to say K's done a nice job getting some key block Touches at the net really slowing these attack down so that their defense can put up good balls behind [Applause] them Nebraska fans and there are plenty of them trying to Rally the Huskers and it's a service error for Kentucky we've seen a handful of those so far here in the first set but that's going to happen when you're putting service pressure on a team like Nebraska you has to go for it that's four service errors for Kentucky here in set one chob boy with the serve for Nebraska Oscars Trail by one delay recovers to keep it alive lamb hangs in the air flying save by chaboy off hands drops iny point we're tied at 19 and Nebraska wants to attack Emma Gro she's the shortest front row player for and you'll see them push it out to Lindsay crowy look at CH booy does what she does best slides under that ball keeps it alive transition Point Nebraska tight first set in the best of five Nebraska looking to retake the lead Rome to Dy Rodriguez [Applause] crowy lindsy crowy does an excellent job here out of system situation goes thumb down wrist away cross to that hard sharp zone five angle really nice swing there by lindsy crowy in the Kentucky block was inside they just couldn't stop it so a timeout called here Nebraska in front for the first time since they LED 3-2 here in the first set they're up by won 20-9 this Labor Day weekend we have a Full Slate of great college football matchups on ESPN and ABC it starts Thursday night 8:00 Eastern Time North Dakota State taking on Colorado then Friday 7 Eastern Time on ESPN temple in Oklahoma Saturday noon ABC Clemson Georgia 3:30 Eastern Time Abc KY will be in the swamp for Miami and Florida and then 7:30 on Saturday night Notre Dame in Texas A&M and it gets better Sunday 7:30 USC and LSU all coming up this Labor Day weekend so Nebraska is in front Meritt B has been a big reason why Meritt B already has five kills on 10 swings hitting 300 with two digs but it's the big swings and she's always composed for this Nebraska team so fun to watch and she's one of the top 10 volleyball players heading into this season that we have listed you can see why first team All-American First Team all big 10 almost four kills a set hit 282 for the Huskers delay that's blocked back and a point for Nebraska and it's Andy Jackson with the celebration kind of an interesting play here from Kentuck Brooklyn delays in the back row she doesn't come straight up the middle she actually kind of goes on this slide behind the setter unfortunately for her Nebraska's Andy Jackson is all over it 4 nothing Run for the Huskers Kentucky getting a little tight here late but you turn it over to the swing of Aaron lamb and she makes everything all right Aaron lamb number 13 in blue has never been afraid to take big swings no different tonight well formed Block in front of her and Andy Jackson The Middle blocker for Nebraska is so good at closing that block but lamb found a way AMR Riley sets it back that's [Applause] in Andy Jackson perimeter swing High contact Point that's Unstoppable she's just so Dynamic and she elevates so well off the ground off of one foot specifically behind it's hard to stop grome for lamb lamb throws it down for another Kentucky Point nice play by Aaron lamb there recognizing the block actually is not going to close in time and so what she does is she just tips that ball throws down right between the two blockers in the scene takes advantage of what's before her back for Aon lamb to [Music] serve Alec oh found the opening and got the point for Nebraska that starts with Lany CH booy heck of a serve receive from her incredible getting that ball up to Bergen Riley and then Jordan Dy late to chase her middle pulls off the net and Rebecca Alec recognizes that for Nebraska probably a little technical difficulty right here trying to get different camera angles and replays we're working quickly on it right now that's why we're going old school with this camera one look I love old school beauty of this is you can see the entire court the entire time and see that ground that was just covered to get there to keep it alive for Nebraska bodies continue to fly around that's the center Riley down grome for delay [Applause] so you can see a little bit of looking around if you haven't noticed we don't have line judges here today we're using bolt six technology to determine if balls are in or [Applause] out I think Craig Skinner was waiting for the replay on the Jumbotron decide if he wanted to challenge or not yeah we play on it is set point for Nebraska off hands Nebraska to take set one right here Rodriguez krowy and a really good return to the court for Nebraska she keps it off with the swing her fourth kill no attack errors in the first set and Nebraska takes set one 25 21 the teams change ends the season is underway here in Louisville at the ABCA first serve showcase Welcome to the the American volleyball coaches association where Champions are made join a community of more than 10,000 volleyball coaches from all levels of the sport and take part in Premier Events Nebraska and Texas meing for the national championship one of the greatest Seasons we've ever had in Nebraska so this match isn't going to Define that hopefully it'll motivate us get back here in 2024 I know everyone's going to be very motivated to get get done next year I think we're going to win three national championships the next three years we all know how it ended and laying the groundwork for what was to come after sweeping Pittsburgh in the National semi-final holding the Panthers to 137 hitting 15 blocks it was all Texas in that Championship now John Cook's team in a 2024 season opener against ninth rank Kentucky with a good start 2521 in set one they hit 353 and St take a look at the season outlook Texas the number one team in the preseason poll every starter is back there wasn't a senior on last year's team so much talent on this team very dep very deep team we haven't seen Taylor land yet make de Blackwell two players from the transfer portal what changed Holly and KD in that first set remember Kentucky went on a 6 nothing run they had control but then Nebraska flipped the script what happened well it's the red right when the score hits 20 Nebraska steps up this is a team that knows how to win we saw it all last year they W 27 matches in a row and we talked about the motivation from last year they're hungrier than ever set two underway for Kentucky big pen with the serve here's Rodriguez delay tries to find an opening Rodriguez back to krowy On the Block and Rodriguez got a hand on it it's a point for Kentucky we also have the unique perspective this evening with these two matches to have all four head coaches miked up and we'll obviously show you some of that sound as we go throughout the course of the night but during intermission you heard Craig Skinner tell his team we started off serving lights out we served the crap out of the ball the first five points of the game and then it slowly kind of let off we let off the gas we got to continue to put it on Nebraska as we get further and further into this match so an aggressive serve there from Big pen misses the mark you'll live though you touched on a little earlier H you'll live with some service erors you've got to be aggressive from the service line definitely you cannot take your foot off the guas especially against such a deep Nebraska team Riley servers for the Huskers set back and a big swing from the right side from Megan Wilson and that's a new look for Megan Wilson of old but last season for Kentucky she played predominantly on the outside pin Reagan Rutherford was on the right she's transferred to Texas so they've moved Megan Wilson out to that right side pin where she feels like it's a very natural home base for her Alec to Big pen couldn't control it Point Nebraska Nebraska was out of system on that play but you see the discipline approached by Merit fees and paying off finding a way to still score high off the hand crowy serves quick set Riley was ready for it Rodriguez drops it back to Harper Murray with the big swing and a Nebraska Point what a beautiful transition set for Nebraska in Harper Murray knows what to do with it watch this ball Bergen Riley puts it up Lexi Rodriguez sets it a little inside and Harper Murray goes to town tough one for Wilson got caught out of play and a point for Nebraska you are not allowed to double contact the ball when you're going over the net only on your side of the net and that's a new rule this year on second contact you're able to double contact the ball oh that's a hard one to handle and it's a point for Nebraska they stretch it out to a three-point lead here in the first in the second rather crowy at the [Applause] line Rodriguez calls for it sets it for Murray Murray again back throw attack from pigpen that's someone who would not have showed up on any Scouting Report because the Freshman making her Collegiate debut here today and she's come up with a few points she's got ups and you think Emma Gro might be going back to Megan Wilson or to her middle block on a gap swing and then she just throws it really short shallow for Asia thick pin to go up and swing out of the back row just makes the offense a little bit more Dynamic by throwing in a fourth arm there to keep an eye on to with serve battle at the net won by Nebraska Rebecca Al owns the net for Nebraska watch her just Dominate and then Harper Murray I think finished that one off but she is just Fierce defensively at the net Rodriguez the serve for Nebraska there's been a couple of tough ones for these attackers for Kentucky to handle and a results and a point for Nebraska and Rodriguez will serve again lots of new players on the floor for Kentucky and they're working through some things that Setter hitter connection mentioned the losan Rutherford there Anie ther who is a fixture on this Kentucky Team B pen was ready for it this time and off the hands Murray with the attack it's a really nice job by Harper Murray because Bergan Riley goes to the back row I mean she sends a really high set out to this outside pin Hart Murray has to redirect her footwork regain her footing and still is able to jump up and get a kill great job by Harper Murray and you SE Nebraska out to an early fivepoint lead here in set number two from the KFC CER at Jimmy John's just $10 get you a full eight inches of any original sandwich Jimmy chips drink and a dessert it's a deal so good we didn't have to spend a lot on this app oh but we could afford confetti order the $10 total package meal only at Jimmy Johns there are men coming here to kill you give up to girl or help s every color in the city after you ABCA Ser showcase here in Kentucky I want to talk about this catapult monitor that Kentucky volleyball is currently wearing it's kind of like a sports bra you can see the monitor right here they wear it during practices and during games and it shows how intense they're practicing and playing it also monitors their workload so they'll go to Craig Skinner before the practice and they'll say how exactly intense do you feel like this practice is going to be and then they're able to measure whether or not that practice was intense there's numbers that they kind of uh track throughout practice and they're able to see whether or not the players are getting out of practice what they're supposed to be getting did they have that technology when the two of you were playing what was what was the what was the measure of how tough practice was back in your day when you were playing if we crawled out of the gym or not basically and we did that on the regular crawling was crawling was good right you making an old joke to the two of us no we didn't have that technology we play that's out of play a point for Kentucky what the biggest what was the Breakthrough and Technology back in your playe I think we had a a speed gun could measure how fast our serves were that was Tech that was bells and whistles back then I me we're pulling out bells and whistles and Technology here we talked about the bolt six system which is being used for replays if we get the challenges and in andout calls that one's going to be just long it's going to be a point for Nebraska we've got this insane jib camera that is over us right now bringing you some amazing views of the KFC Yum Center I tried to get Joselyn our director to hook you up there in a harness have you ever been to a pink concert Katie I have actually here at this very venue I wanted you I wanted you on that jib and just have Jocelyn spin you around while you were talking about this match up here today wanted that to happen I talked I talked about [Applause] it that's out Point Kentucky Harper Mur cross body swing down that line lit it up but just wide I mean this is a big event so you need the extra big jib down there in the corner so we've we've got all sorts of bells and whistles going off here today here's Rodriguez Jackson Point Kentucky in two really good runs by Bergen riy I love that she brought Harper Murray inside on a gap set on the previous play she runs in a tried and true slide unfortunately just two attacks a little bit wide Murray chance here for the wild cats the leg goes with the soft roll hcky down by four still in this point lamb Rodriguez with the pancake great save by Lexi Rodriguez and that heads out of play and it's a point for Nebraska does a free ball count as a Kill from Harper Murray that was a tough free ball she sends over it was had some Pace but Lexi Rodriguez wow two BS in the middle of the court that were for sure kills she kept alive so Craig Skinner has brought out the challenge card so you can see the crowd here at the KFC Young Center has been alerted that there's a challenge do you have to wonder if Craig Skinner is challenging Lexi Rodriguez's pancake that maybe he didn't think that her hand got underneath the ball on that first Contact when the ball came over so part of the bells and whistles that I mentioned this bolt six technology is these high frame rate cameras so we should be able to get a really sharp look you can see Rodriguez on the left side there they'll use our cameras they'll use fixed cameras I think she got there I thought so too I think it hit her wrist if anything well are they looking perhaps too for the double contact Holly talked about the rule change like if you double but over the net that's not allowed or they're looking was their we got a lot of things going on here take your pick multiple choice for what they could be challenging here perhaps yeah but I mean look at how much ground Lexi Rodriguez is able to cover I mean she's set up on that back line over there and she comes all the way across the court through the middle to be able to pop that ball up that's why she's one of the best Leos in the country so this is the bolt look right there and that is a pretty cool Replay that you can clearly see and they were showing it to the crowd here at the same time and I think you can tell the Nebraska fans are pretty happy with Rodriguez just went to work what a dig perfectly executed pancake I'll tell you she's crashing the middle that's not an easy ball to pick up so the bolt six replay used in this double header here tonight there are no line judges they have these cameras spread out around the arena to kind of catch all the lines and plays like that where Rodriguez got her hand under it so an unsuccessful challenge for Kentucky that's blocked out of play point for Kentucky Aaron lamb taking a big swing off the block ofing it out of bounds trying to find tools to score points for Kentucky and now you've got emigo back to serve for Kentucky one of the best servers on this team and we saw Molly tuzo go on a run early in set one if you're Kentucky you really got to be aggressive from the service line and try to get this Nebraska offense out of system as best you can it's hard to do because you got Lexi rodri Lany CH boy back here but maybe go down the line and try to key in on Lindsay krowy you mentioned before Craig Skinner liked when his team was aggressive with the serve early in the match they went away from that as that first set went on Andy Jackson there for Nebraska off the Touch the point for the Oscars I think it's a mistake if you're serving Lexi Rodriguez play keep away I mean she's keeping them in system Craig Skinner talked about maybe loading up the in the front row but you want to serve away from Lexi Rodriguez of Nebraska you know that's what Texas did such a nice job of in the national championship game last December in Tampa they completely avoided Lexi Rodriguez because she passes Nails what was the total last year Texas aced Nebraska 12 times in that threet Setter just a pause here for our officials and now we're set and ready to go and Kennedy or will serve Rodriguez with six digs so far here tonight or's got it there's crowy blocked back save Choy and krowy teaming up lamb unable to control it was Kennedy or and it's a point for the wild cats Aaron lamb will head back to serve for Kentucky Aaron Lamb's having an excellent match for Kentucky she's got eight kills on 14 attempts zero errors she's doing a great job taking care of the ball Riley sets it back to B now that's a good job by the Li rope for Kentucky beon to keep it up rowy blocked Rodriguez kept it alive oh what a diving play but CH boy just couldn't get over the net and she paid the price extended her arm out fully and put a lot of weight on that arm that was contacting the court it would appear Laney Cho Choy is Relentless defensively she plays every play this way there's no slow up [Applause] Wildcats get a quick point off the Touch from Nebraska and a timeouts being called here by Nebraska Kentucky fighting back I've been really impressed with Jordan Dy in the middle defensively blocking for Kentucky it was interesting because we didn't really know what Jordan Dy and Brook Baltimore were going to look like for Kentucky because we've been so used to seeing Johnny terer and other veterans play for them in that middle position but I agree with you Jordan dy's been so fast in the Middle with her block Craig Skinner said she's probably one of the most natural blockers he's ever coached Brook voltima a little bit more offensive but it's always I think as a Setter a little bit stressful when you've got newness to play with especially because the middle is such an important an important role we think of them more as defensive players but offensively they got to be able to produce about how we just did what we're going to do right now on this point okay find a way to execute the engaged right now let's do it here [Music] so live in hle with Craig Skinner checking out some of the data as well after talking to his team as they push back here in the second set they lost set one 2521 they watched Nebraska hit 353 in that set Nebraska hitting 053 here in this second set both teams hitting under 100 in this second set can Kentucky continue to build the momentum now down by two Lamb with the serve and it's a good one Bo you're right Katie she's had a great match remember how her season start ended last year the last game of the season she had 15 kills in that NCAA tournament lost to Arkansas she's been great here tonight too and last year she was banged up a little bit was isn't 100% healthy so we saw that consistency fluctuate she's been great so far tonight soon as I say that of course she goes a little bit long but she's got such a high contact point on that serve she really puts a lot of nice Pace on [Music] it so lamb will head out as th pen will come on and back to serve goes Bergen Riley Big 10 Setter of the year a season ago the first freshman to win that award average better than 10 assists a set Alec picks it up Alec the quick set from Riley for the point what a feed from Bergen Riley to Rebecca Alec tacking the seam right between the right side blocker and the middle blocker for Kentucky and sometimes those throws and tips and dinks and dunks are actually more difficult to defend than an attack oh great job by Riley but they're going to say it was down why are they tougher to defend than a standard attack those dinks and those dunks well I think when you're attacking and you're hitting it from a high point you can set up your read easier as a Defender when you're throwing it from behind your head you can't see the angle that it's coming from you can't see the trajectory of it or the speed exactly so it makes it really hard to read and react to point for the wild cats great placement well what I liked about that play for Kentucky is Bon put up a really nice transition set and in the first set I don't think Kentucky was as clean look at that nice lift and then Brooklyn delay finds that corner open good Serve by beon jumps in to keep it alive B Riley crowy off balance that drops off the net and it's a point for Kentucky the wild cats continue to claw back they've tied it at 14 that time Megan Wilson just working inside the block patience not trying to hit that ball too hard but that ball Falls for Kentucky and the defense in tough serving game has been the difference and now we've got a substitution our first sighting of Taylor landfair the transfer from Minnesota she comes in the game for lindsy KY here B big pen with the dig that one's down it is a point for Nebraska I love it you've got Nebraska fans sitting Bes us behind us saying Setter Setter they want to see Taylor Landair take a swing as a Nebraska corn husker they're going to have to wait a little bit longer Bergen riy knew everybody thought that she would set the new kid but no she's playing chest a step ahead here although landfair is going to check out right now because they'll bring on the serving sub for Nebraska and it's Olivia m freshman from Bennington Nebraska who will come on look out Brooklyn delay gets on top of that ball quick for Kentucky really nice pass by delay and then look at her work the outside hand of Meritt beas on that right side that deflection was heading for Holly and Katie and I jumped in front of it so chalous of you you are hiding under the table chivalry is not dead here on this side of the table that's for sure see the total errors for Kentucky eights feels like a lot but I think Craig Skinner would agree they have to continue to be aggressive if they have a chance here here's Rodriguez Good set for delay who can get that big arm fired up and again this pass is on the 10 foot line for Kentucky but immigr does a nice job running it down gets her feet there jump sets and pivots still puts delay in an ins system swing she goes Cross Court for the kill delay back to serve the sophomore who's really worked on this part of her game game as well there's a lot on it can she get it into play yes Murray on the serve reive Point Kentucky and that's just the benefit of a Top Spin serve like that it is coming at you so fast even if you're able to get a good platform on it like Harper Murray did she can't absorb it and keep it on her side of the net and that's something that Brooklyn delay has been working on since last spring she played with it last season but it wasn't consistent enough you were saying risk reward high risk reward so that lead for Kentucky was their first since they LED 2-1 here in this second set remember Nebraska led by five here in set two the Wildcats come back be goes long service air for Nebraska so they give the point right back and kuy's back in front here in the second set now if you remember in this rotation Bola served and Harper Murray made a heads up Play She tipped right over the Block in front of her trying get Baltimore on the tip they serve it at the Freshman now here's Murray good contact not much Kentucky can do with that as Murray delivers with the kill that's her fifth Murray will check out as will the Freshman mount and far is back on and back to serve is choboy tied at 18 replay to 25 and that was a little too aggressive from Andy Jackson at the net Point Kentucky Andy Jackson of Nebraska is not allowed to block the setter as she's trying to set the ball if the ball's in the middle of the plane of the net it's fair game but if it's on Kentucky side she cannot interfere a little greedy little greedy just a bit for it Point Kentucky another one misses the mark for the wild cats that's the third service air this set and the 10th of the match Kennedy or back to serve tied at 19 [Music] set back for lamb Nebraska ready for her from the back row sent back Wilson leading the charge at the Net Daily there as well I'm just waiting for that set to land on the outside but here's Meritt beas out of the back row Good Help by Megan Wilson coming in from the left side to help Dy on the Block in the middle [Music] Kentucky with a block Edge over Nebraska Kentucky last year was 10th in the SEC in blocks per set now we've crossed the line I I said it's good to be aggressive from the service line but that now that's 11 and this is crunch time the rule of thumb when you get to 20 you want to play errorless volleyball even if you're trying to be aggressive from the service line you got to be able to make it play well then given back by Nebraska so a mistake by the Huskers that helps Kentucky out so do you change your mindset serving now for Kentucky do you have to pull off the gas a little bit tough but in no lollipops Eric all right Elan be no lollipops Rodriguez caugh for it sets B two nice digs by be CH booy dug it out on the hit by delay that's three for B back row attack big pen too strong and was it a touch yes they say it was a touch it's a point for Kentucky I think John Cook is going to protest this although he hasn't grabbed the challenge card I haven't seen yet maybe he's just going to call a timeout it looked like a net violation kenty's players were pointing at Annette and the referee looked like she agreed so the timeout is called by John Cook good Eyes by you Holly thank you two-point Advantage for Kentucky reminds you a lot of college football coming up this weekend are you ready for the swamp do you have dry breathable clothing to wear when you'll be there Miami and Florida that's coming up Saturday before we get there it's Colorado in North Dakota State the bison and the Buffalo Thursday night Friday night on ESPN temple in Oklahoma Saturday triple header ABC Clemson Georgia Miami Florida Notre Dame Texas A&M and then Sunday night 7:30 Eastern Time on ABC it's USC and LSU all right so we take you back to that last point for Kentucky net violation yeah there's no touch I thought maybe there was a touch but there was a point at the net I think you just go down a little bit that arm right there there's there's your contact in this second set Kentucky is hitting 207 Nebraska hitting zero after they hit 353 in set one good serve there for Kentucky here's B off the block and a point for Nebraska nice job there by Nebraska kuy's clearly serving Taylor landfare they're able to side out efficiently to get out of that now you see if she can go on a run with her serve so here is Taylor landfair first team Big 10 for a third time last year with Minnesota in her Nebraska debut tonight Oscars did well to keep it alive and he do so again with Riley on the save tied at the net Murray Riley resets for Murray set by the Lio back for delay who rolls it in point for Kentucky delay kept that point going initially when she was able to just throw down the ball and keep it out of the antenna we've seen a lot of shots from Brooklyn delay I think that's shown her Evolution and progress from her freshman year to her sophomore more tools tuo on to serf for Kentucky two points away from evening things up here in Louisville Riley for B who drops the hammer Point Nebraska Kentucky testing Harper Murray in serve receive and Harper Murray puts up a dime Rodriguez on to serve for the Huskers delay nope Point Nebraska tied at 23 Emma Gro was on the run there I think she left that ball a little low and a little inside so Brooklyn delay couldn't quite get on top of it and said she has to push it and she pushes it long so now a challenge from Craig Skinner and he's going to challenge whether or not there was a touch by Nebraska on that swing for the moment we're tied at 23 if this challenge is successful it'll be set point for Kentucky so here's a look from the bolt replay [Music] so the challenge uph a successful challenge for Kentucky they say there was a touch after looking at the bolts angle so that does mean it is set point for the wild cats delay with the serve tied at the net free ball Kentucky takes set [Applause] high risk High reward Brooklyn delay puts a really nice Top Spin serve into play results in a discombobulated out of system situation for Nebraska and you've got Brook volma who throws it down to tie things up one set a piece here in Louisville so a good challenge by Craig Skinner and then delay and Kentucky put it away to even up at a set a piece as we head to the locker rooms for a a mission and before we get there here is Craig Skinner with Christine coach uh you guys split the first two sets and I know going into this match you said that serving was the most important thing where would you rate your players serving so far in this match up I'm doing a great job I mean we missed a couple but we're applying a lot of pressure giving ourselves some opportunities out of system which is what this time team's identity needs to be um so we got to keep doing it we're going to live with some errors but we chance how do you make this a win for you guys tonight definitely transition a little bit better kill BS and transition behind transition better we'll let Katie and Holly have their breakdown as we get to set number three good response by Kentucky even up at a set of piece against Nebraska on an opening night in Louisville [Music] welcome to the American volleyball coaches Association where Champions are made join a community of more than 10,000 volleyball coaches from all levels of the sport and take part in Premier Events like the ABCA convention which is held each December elevate your game by becoming a member of the avca we're obviously having a good time it's a great way to start the season first of two matches here tonight inside the KFC Yum Center this is where the national championship will take place in December Eric and Katie and Holly back with you here Courtside great response by Kentucky ten Nebraska took set one Kentucky comes back in set number two what was the difference in that second set for Kentucky H well I thought Kentucky did a much better job transitioning the first set they had opportunities they were right there till 2020 and the second set they were able to execute Nebraska made some errors too their hitting percentage came way down and Aaron lamb has been spectacular Aaron lamb I think was somewhat of a question mark coming into this you know Brooklyn delay was going to bring it she's the 2023 SEC freshman of the year who that two was and what kind of production going to be able to add question and phenomenal tonight errorless n kills 16 attempts errors not just from the and her blocking but what she's been able to do from the service line as well well let's show you what Aaron lamb has been doing so far in this match here tonight CU she has been error free on the attack for Kentucky and she's not just getting it done with her kind of roundhouse really powerful arm swing She's mixed in some tips she's used the block to her advantage rightow straight through the scene she's just had a really good awareness of what's in front of her and how to utilize it Holly and Brooklyn delay had a slow start she was hitting negative numbers in the first set and she's really done a nice job working her way back finding ways to score and keep it alive it felt like Nebraska got better as set one went on as if they played sharper as that set got to the nitty gritty right 20 and Beyond we just saw too many hitting errors from Nebraska and a couple key service errors from Nebraska in set they clean that up I think it's a different story so the momentum for the moment with the team in blue the Kentucky Wildcats who were picked third in the SEC preseason poll that's different right because it's always been Kentucky and Florida Kentucky has won an SEC title every season since 2017 but there's this addition of a team from Austin Texas that has changed the dynamic in the SEC yeah it's interesting right the big comes Oregon Washington UCLA USC ACC now has to deal with the likes of Stanford and SMU and Cal but nobody got a bigger challenge than the SEC having to welcome the backto back national champions in [Applause] Texas third set ready to begin here at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville Nebraska with the opening serve of this third set from Bergen Riley set for Rebecca Alec that's her sixth kill of the night that's exactly how you want to start set three you force Kentucky out of system you get a free ball and then you execute with a Kill from Rebecca Alec we can tell as we just talked about before John Cook was less than thrilled how his team finished in that second set was it what they were doing at the end of the second set was it Kentucky doing something that was throwing Nebraska off well I think it was a tough serving right that that was one of the they were going for it and and then the transition swings at Big moments Kentucky was able to do it better Craig Skinner told Christine too he didn't seem to be afraid of what they were doing from the service line just keep doing it be aggressive beon couldn't save that one point for Nebraska up 2-1 here in the third and now you see Nebraska's gone back to Lindsay crowy in the line up she gets a nice swing down the line for the kill I'll be curious to see if we see Taylor landfair again but he's made the move back toy here well Taylor landfair played but they never set her I was waiting well you're going to have to wait a little bit longer it looks that way there's a good serve Bon will track it down how about that b almost got it in position for delay to do something with it but Out Of Reach 3-1 Nebraska and Nebraska going after Brooklyn delay making her pass the ball catching her up high and getting them out of system they serve delay again delay and serve received Nebraska miscommunication delay kept it [Music] alive delay Nebraska there with the block a little change up for the point that set went wide and Mer just chops that ball little redirect to the middle of the Court well placed Brooklyn delay had to take three heavy swings there on Kentucky side they've been out of system so often if they get in system imig has more options to use they serve delay again making her work oh quick set to the middle btim yeah I was just thinking Kentucky when their in system needs to use midd a little bit more they're relying so much on their outsides when they're out of system try and push those midd to free things up really impressive swing by voltima there that was a pretty low and fast set and she was still able to get on it second kill for the Freshman middle and now tzo with the serve een and the block Point Kentucky the L has been in the middle of everything here in this third set Brooklyn delay the left side blocker sets it up gets out in front of Meritt be and then shuts it down so far Kentucky out blocking Nebraska as we play here in the third roome back row attack bpen Point Nebraska big pen going for that away way to the left deep Corner missing just long but she's taking some big swings for Kentucky Lexi Rodriguez serves it to tuzo roome to the leg roome back to boltimore bolma On the Block good recovery by bolma Rome delay the block led by Andy Jackson for Nebraska Andy Jackson laterally for Nebraska we talked about the middle blockers for Nebraska look at her get out and close that block Meritt be does a nice job with her left hand shutting that down as well yeah look beon more than Jackson they were both there for the Nebraska block and the point Bola on the slide and the wild cats get the point I was talking to Katie Paul the athletic trainer for Kentucky earlier today just about how hard Brook bolts going work I was about that monitor hard Brooke seems to be going in every play athleticism isn't as natural to her so she's working a lot harder than a lot of these other girls and that's something that they're able to monitor when it comes to the Catapult you can tell Christine I mean the middle blockers are by far the biggest work horses on volleyball teams they don't get all the the pub and the fame and the notoriety because sometimes their work I think just goes undervalued or underrated I always value it I should say maybe a little underrated but by far kudos to baltimo she's working hard in there oh there's another swing another point for Aaron lamb in the double digits now a 10 also middle blockers just have to cover so much ground they have to be so physically in shape to do what they do laterally on the net as Defenders but then also to constantly be running on slides behind the setter Jordan Dy out there in the middle now for Kentucky service erir for Craig Skinner's team another one he doesn't seem too concerned about it because as he told Christine as we've talked about quite often just keep being aggressive with it 13 service airs compared to four for Nebraska and then CH booy all of Nebraska's service errors it feels like have come right after Kentucky service errors back to back so Emma Gro will go back to serve senior from Loveland [Music] Ohio remember her challenge her freshman year following after Madison Lily big shoes to fill but she's done it well Huskers get the point nice job by Annie Jackson there that means the ball is able to skirt through that the block is not fully sealed and she was able to just power her way through that block on Kentucky side and Jordan DY for Kentucky realized that right away she's got to be quicker with her press Chrome to Lamb on the right side and on the Block kow's there Nebraska gets the point Lindsay krowy on that left side she is a big presence number 22 in red for Nebraska timeout called by Kentucky they've fallen behind by four here in set three in [Music] Louisville a cool Fan Experience here in the building so far tonight we got the MC light show going and we've got the first of two matches between some of the Marquee teams at college volleyball on the court this is Kentucky Nebraska Louisville and Wisconsin still to come here tonight from the KFC Young Center out of the Kentucky timeout Nebraska with the Ser grome looks for Wilson on the outside but misses the mark and Nebraska stretches their lead to five remember they LED 116 last set but Kentucky came back and won that second set 2522 Chrome back throw attack the leg crowy on the swing nothing Kentucky could do about that krowy now with six kills and a return for Nebraska I have say that speaks a lot to Lindsay Crow's mental toughness right you get pulled out in set two for Taylor landfair you come right back in set three and you're taking big swings and executing roome delay got in the way didn't really realize it as Groome tried to get there and it's unraveling a bit here for Kentucky in this third set I'd still like to see Kentucky run their midd Jordan D in the front row right now can they use her she's so quick offensively Craig Skinner's going to use his final timeout to try to slow this Nebraska run down it's a 5 nothing run and I think Nebraska is doing a nice job mixing in short serves right now you've got Jordan Dy up there who already made a pass out of server middle blockers aren't usually used to being in server they done a nice job kind of yoyoing Kentucky server and short serves really limit the the pass that you can run as making it a very predictable offense makes it a high traic area by dropping in a short Ser like that and ser we' SE the L targeted quite a bit The Freshman targeted a little bit you see when we show cook telling his server where he wants them to go so kind of pulling the strings right here of how they're going to control things with the service game I think it's common for most teams to go after the L1 the L2 who's back in servy if you really want to wear down that outside have to go up and swing and try to get kills time and time again it's another to constantly have to try to mentally pass a good ball every single time you're in Serv and right now Nebraska's doing that with Brooklyn delay give credit to Kennedy or for executing things from the service line mixing things up trying to continue this run a five nothing run for Nebraska out of kuy's final timeout of this second set once again the serf to delay lamb tried to throw it down and that is going to be another Nebraska Point all Huskers right now and now he's going to switch up his serve receive here he's bringing Megan Wilson and Aaron lamb back into the folds you're almost seeing him pass four here Holly and Del can't handle that and Kennedy or continues the run for Nebraska and kened or very accurate serve going after Brooklyn delay trying to keep the pressure on her finding her with four passers in the back court Delay from the back row and that ends the run so it was a seven nothing scoring run that put Nebraska on top 15 to six before that Kentucky point and I would say Kennedy or doesn't wow you with her Pace it's not coming at you super fast but my goodness the ball moves the crap out of the ball that ball is fast Aaron lamb attacking from the service line Craig Skinner said look we've been really focused on our Ser we know it's an important part of our game to score points and set up transition opportunities another good Serve by lamb grome sets it back for Wilson Wilson off hands they say no I thought that was off hands it's not going to be challenged it's just a point for Nebraska I would have loved to see em a run that ball to Jordan Dy in the middle no Blocker in front of for Nebraska they know it's going to a pin 168 Riley serves Riley Diggs delay oh great job choboy again Riley goes to the court Nebraska fans love it and it's a point for the Huskers great defense by Nebraska Lany Choy is such a momentum player when she makes UPS like this body on the line keeping things alive excellent job pursuing that ball I like that Emma Gro ran the middle to Jordan daily like you mentioned incorporating her more I know it didn't result in a kill but still trying to keep those blockers honest I think will farewell for Kentucky moving forward it can pay off down the line 178 Nebraska serving with the lead roome to the Lane there's the defense again and with the Block in for Middle blockers when you're not getting set you're not always ready for it and you been set a lot so Jordan Dy needs to be ready and if you're em andr you're coaching her up say hey be ready I need you offensively Rome sets it back for Wilson and Wilson has it set back Kentucky not done to the point yet and Kentucky hangs with it good fight by the wild cats to end the mini run by Nebraska Elanor bevon comes on to serve for the Wildcats Riley to be kept alive and set over by dro oh wow but then the quick set in the point for the Huskers really nice job by Emma to keep that alive for Kentucky but it's a free ball essentially for Nebraska and this is textbook great 31 set to Rebecca Alex she gets on it fast right through the scene heck of an angle really difficult to defend Thigpen oh that caught a hand and so th pen gets the point for Kentucky that time agent thp he eased up a little catches the edge of the block and goes long nice Point by The Freshman for Kentucky here's tuzo Tucky could use a service run like she had in the first set wildcat's had a six nothing run while she serves serves it to Rodriguez which usually doesn't work out very well she'll receive it the go be in syst him and score I said it earlier I think that's a mistake if you're serving Lexi Rodriguez she is one of the best passers in the game now Rodriguez to serve 2010 Nebraska locked out of play point Kentucky what a response from Nebraska though kind of lost the threat a little bit was not as sharp in set two came out in set three and has been Nails on it from the start well you were surprised earlier when you saw the numbers that Kentucky was out blocking Nebraska but in this set Nebraska has a 5-1 Edge in blocks so that's an area where things have certainly turned around and it shows on the scoreboard as well delay from the back row Nebraska can't block that attempt and it's a point for the Wildcats and Brook baltim set sorry Brooklyn delay set that play up with the tough ser Nebraska out of system and then attack out of the back row for the point I'm impressed H it took till the third set before someone had a brook and Brooklyn the BBS yes I mean I thought that was going to come early in the first set from me not from you well I wanted to see Emma Gro sat Brook boltim and and it was on the top of my mind give the woman what she wants I know here's Bon delay B Rome sets it back for Bola that drops in Point Nebraska you like the run to get Bola involved on the slide but when she goes that far away from the group of players you got to follow her so you can be down ready in in coverage position in case she gets blocked unfortunately Kentucky was just out of position there gr looks for the kill Nebraska was ready for it this time great hustling play by Gro to keep it alive for the moment for Kentucky and Aaron lamb says that was touched the officials [Applause] disagree and Craig Skinner's telling them to play on he's not going to challenge here and the closing in on a third set Victory two points away short serve another good swing what a great game from Aaron lamb 11 kills what a set I mean the ball's coming behind imig's shoulder and she's still able to turn this ball and put up a beauty to get Aaron Lam position to take that kind of rip boltimo gets the ace Brook boltim one of the best servers on this Kentucky team she and Brooklyn delay this is one of those moments where you look at the score and say well this set belongs to Kentucky to Nebraska rather but if you're Kentucky what can you pick from it if anything besides a service error that gives set points to Nebraska to try to build for set four but right now the momentum building the energy building for Nebraska trying to put this one away heading to a fourth [Applause] set rowy has it sent back B didn't have a lot on it lamb dug out by B Skyball controlled by beon back row attack delay to your question I think if you're Kentucky you side out like we just saw and see if you can go on a run here with immigr serve you're obviously I want to say Obviously but you're likely not going to win set three here so can you build some momentum some good on that you can take with you into set four [Applause] exactly nice save Point Nebraska set Nebraska they lead two sets to one a dominating third for the Huskers Bergen riy doing a really nice job getting her middles involved on the Nebraska side of things you saw Rebecca Al and Andy with big kills and key moments Nebraska regains the lead two sets to one here in Louisville to the American volleyball coaches association where how am I going to find a doctor what I'm hallucinating what do you think be Monster uh what about sock do sock do Dr castelle has a great bedside Manor so many options but Dr Shi Chan will take your Sky Insurance sh Chan sh Chan thanks Bro you've got more options then you know book now the play kits by love every are here to help with every Milestone from ages 0 to 5 delivered just in time for each stage of development the play kits will be there to help your babies learn to roll over on the day they take their first steps on the day they say their first word on their first time helping out there's something for every Milestone try the play kits by love every designed by experts for your child's developing brain no place like Nebraska our E60 feature on the 20123 season for the Huskers takes you inside the program that John Cook has built you'll get never before seen footage unprecedented access to players and coaches it's available right now on ESPN plus we'll also show it after the conclusion of our second match that is between Louisville and Wisconsin you don't have to be a Nebraska fan it's great for all volleyball you see the difference well first two sets very similar but Nebraska had Kentucky out of system the third set and that made the blocking much easier because they knew it was going to be predictable to the pins ready for set four here at the KFC Yum Center Brooklyn delay with the first set first serve rather of this fourth set and it's a good one Riley kept it alive KY Aaron lamb has it blocked there's more of that Nebraska block that was so strong at set three nice job by Bergen Riley just setting up right in front of Aaron lamb sealing that net it would be curious to see if the blocking continues for Nebraska here in set four because they did a really nice job defensively at the net in set three tuo got in front of delay to receive that serve no catching this and it's a point for the wild cats I think we should keep track of how many kills Kentucky scores from their middle blockers because they have to get them involved they can't rely on the pins to carry them this whole match against a team like Nebraska for Bola the middle that was her fourth kill just makes your offense way more onedimensional right where you know it's going to go to the pin time and time again mixing in the middle just keeps the honest makes them honor and respect all Lanes on the net at service era number 15 for Kentucky five for Nebraska good serve from crowy lamb is denied that set is dying inside and with the big block by Nebraska there's nowhere for Aaron lamb to go my coach used to say you're leaving her in a closet you're putting her in a closet and she's just going to get stuck if you don't put the ball high enough and out to the antenna so she can work with [Music] it P tracks it down be delay battle at the net the center versus Rebecca Alec Advantage Alec well advantage Al for sure but Setters are really good at that particular skill that time memr comes out on the losing end that was nice of you Holly because Katie was talking about you know the coaches blaming the Setters whenever something bad happens you know the whole the whole closet thing and then do you give a little Setter love that was good well Katie and I are both former set so I had to do it's it's been a hard Road you know one is the glasses half full set one is the glasses half empty settime yeah lot Glory a lot of blame just like quarterbacks or point guards Nebraska picking up where they left off and set three up 51 and guess who Aaron Lamb with another good rip that's kill number 12 for lamb she can really get on the ball I mean she's got a strong powerful arm swing especially Cross Court I've been really impressed with the growth and the maturity we've seen from Aaron lamb this evening and if it remains consistency good things for Kentucky moving forward next up for Kentucky will be their home opener against Northern Kentucky Friday in their return to Memorial Coliseum last season they played their home matches at rup Arena as Memorial was undergoing the $83 million renovation Chris sches showing us some pictures everything looks awesome the court went down Thursday the first time that Kentucky was in the renovated Memorial was a scrimmage on Friday so it'll be new to them as well but it's good for Kentucky to be back in their home at Memorial all four of these teams have really tough non-conference schedules none other than kuy I mean what a doozy Craig Skinner has put in path for his team but gosh they're going to be better for it because of all the tough teams they're playing early on here to start this 2024 season and there's a point for Nebraska well they're running into a buz saw right now Nebraska you think about last year Kentucky they went three and seven in their first 10 games then they won 18 in a row before losing to Arkansas in the NCAA tournament and included in those first seven losses two losses to pit excellent Team final four loss at Purdue and five loss here at Louisville lost at Nebraska their lone SEC lost to Tennessee so they played that real hard schedule non conference and hard at the beginning at conference play but it paid off because they went on that run and they were good at the end of the season right now they don't have an answer for Nebraska at the moment all Nebraska timeout called by Kentucky 82 in the [Music] fourth welcome back ABCA first serve showcase last played in 2014 after a 10-e absence we're back kie mCP go Andy Jackson number 15 in red is something special her coach has told she is next level high contact Point Dynamic attacker you see her numbers five blocks six kills she has something special High contact point they said she added three inches to her vertical she's now touching 10 10 beon with the Dig delay with the attack Rodriguez can't handle it Point Kentucky kuy using their back row attack and that time a SE ball not a d all the way out and that's attacking the seam of the Nebraska Block in transition paying off for that last point B is denied by kuy defense so the wild cats out of the timeout get a couple of points yeah guys I was over in kuy's timeout that last one and Craig Skinner really wants some energy out of his team team as soon as they called that timeout the girls weren't really talking to each other he said he looked at everybody and he said hey they're getting a big block up but we've got to cover some balls and everyone needs to go out there and compete misses the shot down the line so Skinner team now within three after three straight points it started with a block by Brooklyn delay number 17 in blue and then the next swing Mar be turns this ball wide see the Beautiful out call I don't know if Bolt six has ever been called beautiful before I think it's beautiful is smiling in AI technology way but to Christine's Point CRA Skinner made his money on having a really gritty team that doesn't go away even when their backs against the wall in the past years they always come back they're never out of a match so I I appreciate the message to them of hey show some energy we're not out of this we can force a fifth but we got to play cleaner volleyball and they are 96 Megan Wilson with her sixth kill she's had a quiet night offensively on the right side for Kentucky thought it was interesting Craig Skinner said she may be the best right side blocker he's ever coached and not saying something because ky's had a slew of excellent right sides but to be the best blocker she must be something special there's Andy Jackson you talked about her ability her athleticism showed a little of it there to get the point we used to talk about AE O'Neal of Texas as the slide Queen I think Andy Jackson is definitely the new slide Queen so good at going off one foot behind her Setter a passing of the Crowns if you will yes are we giving that Crown here in in day number one are we for now I think we cansol Ely give it TOS yeah somebody has to take it away from her nice oh [Applause] good that's going to be a point for Kentucky great save by Murray earlier in the point but in the end wild cats get the point we talked about transition look at Harper Murray do everything she can to keep that alive and then CH booy gets it over the net but delay has the answer for Kentucky Nebraska's so good in the unscripted scenarios the unscripted situations where they just got to have their instincts make plays yeah the improvisation amazing they've got the athleticism that could put that improvisation to work and it's a point for Nebraska big quick trans transition swing goes long for delay little pause from the officials are they just confirming the Inn outs and now Jackson will come off and here comes Kennedy or to serve served well in that third set one by Nebraska [Music] 2515 still to come Louisville and Wisconsin in game two of our season opening double header I don't know if we fully settled that last Point well looks like Nebraska's checking their rotation so while they talk I want to your first thoughts on Wisconsin and Louisville still to come because we've got quite the double header here tonight well I'm really excited I think we're going to see some new people in important roles but also some really can't wait to see what louville looks like different systems of all the weapons they have a little bit more known to us but I am so excited to see what Charlie furer the true freshman Setter for Wisconsin brings to the table she is an exciting player the number one setting recruit out of high school she's going to be awesome I've been told between matches Christine and Jen are going to be wrapping up our first game and previewing our second match and during the warm-up for match number two that Sarah Franklin from Wisconsin the ABC player of the year last year and Anna deir the queen of Louisville you gave up that Crown they're going to be miked up and they're going to be able to interact with j and Christine during the warmup so they'll have a little back and forth and you'll kind of be taken onto the court and there you see this match up of two of the very best players in the country set to go head to-head in match number two these two have been faces of college volleyball for quite some time Sarah Franklin has been a a household name up at Wisconsin and it's beer has really changed this program here in Louisville leading them to their first national semi-final we've got movement finally from Nebraska John Cook continues to have conversations with the Down official and because Nebraska was out of system Kentucky gets the point you don't see that often that teams get out of rotation it has not been fully sorted out as of yet I think when it's all said and done Kennedy ORS well at least she looked like she was going to come back off the court C get explanation from Michelle [Music] Prader Craig Skinner staying just close enough of course Skinner and cook coach together Harper Murray telling their teammates of Nebraska that they are in rotation five we talked to as they still sort this out I just I know it's been talked about so often about you know Craig Skinner was an assistant to John Cook and Craig went through the story because he says as you get a little older you get more nostalgic and moments like this feel so great because John Cook gave Craig Skinner a job that paid $112,000 a year and Craig lived at a $250 efficiency apartment and loved every minute of it he said he had a futon and a wicker chair from Pottery Barn he said those were his two items in his lovely apartment out in Nebraska that hit home I feel like I had the same my rent was never 250 I'll take [Applause] that connection's all over this match up because Craig Skinner and Kelly Sheffield were assistants together in their start of their coaching Journey High School do you know Danny bus boom who was a stand out Nebraska one of Craig Skinner's last recruits when he was an assistant coach at Nebraska was Danny bus boom who is now the head coach of course here's that tree oh okay so we've got the the John Cook tree oh there you go there's Craig back in the Nebraska days and Danny Busom Celly will have her team on the court here momentarily taking a few moments than expected more than we planned on because of this delay here just trying to get the Personnel set they want to get the score set as well I bet this is eating at John Cook because he's all about efficiency right he's talked about numerous ways that we can speed up the game of volleyball that's why you see bolts here tonight they're talking about implementing a serving clock like a pitch clock that they have in college baseball and MLB sure he doesn't like that this is extending and extending but e the bugler back out here bugler was here the called the post very Louisville thing to get things started did the bugler go home can he come like does he know any other songs outside of the call the po I'm not well vered in what the bugler knows and does not know you're from Louisville so there's only one song that matters really matters and he does it really well just like Andy jaon does really well getting kills out of the middle for Nebraska how about that for a segue you got them all all right so now as we mentioned before Kennedy or was on then was off and now she's back on I think everything's all set 118 is the score 128 is the score then Nebraska block there again crowy textbook block by krowy number 22 in red she just gets there and so quick with her press over the net that there's nowhere to go offensively both 64 they're like synchronized divers or swimmers that you saw in the Olympics they go up together they press together everything's sealed they don't smile like the synchronized swimmers like nonstop working too hard up for Murray couldn't get that one it's a point for Kentucky and again Aaron lamb coming up big when Kentucky needs a kill she's been the answer lamb now with 13 kills 29 total attempts how about the work Brooklyn delay is putting in tonight 51 swings the highest swing total for any Nebraska player is 32 for Meritt be well I also think that yes Brooklyn delay is tried and true so yes you want to go to her often but kuy's been out of system a lot so they had to utilize that outside pin krowy for Nebraska lindsy crowy looking so smoo before she went out early last year she was the Big 10 player of the week she was putting up incredible numbers and you see her returning to form for Nebraska there's delay Rodriguez lamb another kill for Aaron lamb 14 for Aon we didn't ask if we got the green light but we heard the teammates and Craig Skinner refer to her as Lambo which where as far as nicknames go I dig it that's a good one that's a good one that's off of Kentucky point for Nebraska up by four nebras have been really good lately getting their middles involved we saw Andy Jackson go off offensively now backa Alec scoring one top in the crosscourt good Serve by crowy at delay they continue to put pressure on her there's Dy Rodriguez Harper Murray set by Bon now delay and that's out of play Point Nebraska to Holly's Point Rebecca Alex hitting 615 Andy Jackson 467 so both have been extremely efficient when given the opportunity by Bergen Riley Nebraska very efficient in this fourth set hitting 400 good serve here lamb tried to get to it cameraman I think took over took out of camera Zach is up thumbs up yes timeout called by Kentucky wo so one of the added bonuses of being here for this opening night as we have all four coaches miked up starting here in match one Craig Skinner for Kentucky John Cook for Nebraska let's listen in some what's what's been said tonight what is now is what we're talking about okay regardless we're down two down five up five let continue to stay in the now so we stay present got to get the left handed thing you guys got to see where going it's out there left hand we got it shape smile you're the best server in the country trust it and stick it Harper no bounce blocks wait get there and go high and use the block over yes deep that pressure on everything we do discipline Andy I think Nebraska kept the pressure on especially in set three and sets four here they've been almost surgical with the efficienc we've seen not just at the net Hol but in the backboard as well I agree and when they serve well and they put pressure on you with their block it really shrinks the court in the back court it is hard to find open floor there's just so much continuity with this Nebraska team I mean Bergen riy knows all of her attackers extremely well because she went through an entire season a year ago with them whereas Emma Gro although she's a veteran Setter she's working with new pieces this season especially in the middle kentu able to get Megan Wilson involved again offensively the more kills they can get from her on that right side that time she goes off one foot the better again taking the pressure off lamb in delay on that left pin Wilson as mentioned before in a different position this year for Gro to work with over to the right side from the outside we mentioned Jordan Dy and Brook Bola in the middle Asia th pen a freshman added to the mix for this Kentucky Megan Wilson played predom on the outside last year for Kentucky but when she was at Oklahoma she got time on both pins so she is very comfortable on that right side mistake again do not serve Lexi I mean we've talked about it serve away from her short disrupt some routes but another great set where they're able to run that high percentage attack to Rebecca Alec number five in red cook loves it oh yeah what's not to love great balance for Nebraska Alec with 10 kills B with 10 kills Jackson with Nine Kills crowy with seven Murray with seven I mean that is an Allstar team and they're spreading the wealth beautifully that speaks to Bergen Riley knowing what her hitters need and being willing to get everybody involved but to be able to get everybody involved you have to pass well that's an overpass but so far throughout the night Nebraska's done a really nice job in server delay there's Rodriguez with the dig to Riley to B delay has it sent back but it's out of play point for [Applause] Kentucky there was a point for Nebraska where Harper Murray got stuck in the middle and she was going outside to close that block and then in transition sh Andy switch nice heads of play by them Murray and ser reive got set up for the kill and put it away for her eigh of the night I remember last year John Cook isolating in Harper Murray's ear working on her footwork for those particular situations and you see how hard she works with her feet to get there because she comes forward right they drop the ball in front of her so she's moving forward she makes the pass and then she's got to work her butt off to get outside transition so she can take a full approach back to the net it's really hard work here's tuo you heard Craig Skinner singing her Praises as far as her serve delivers a good one here Nebraska able to handle it and Nebraska gets the point I love that play from Bergen riy because it's not a perfect pass right on the net when most Setters run their middle she's a step or two off the net but the fact she's still able to run Andy Jackson she gets her up high enough so she can still attack off the net but being able to keep your midds involved in not so perfect situations makes you a really hard offense to stop and Andy Jackson has a big offensive window to get her that ball Choy to tuo delay Nebraska's still into the point be track it down CH booy with the Dig Jackson and Riley were there but it's a point for Kentucky lots of good defensive touches by Nebraska but delay able to score on that last transition swing John Cook wants a time out his team up by four but seeing something he didn't particularly care for there so he's going to take a moment here and bring his team together they're up two sets to one trying to win their opener here in Nebraska will take on Texas A&M Corpus Christie Friday TCU on Saturday back in Lincoln 319 straight sellouts by the way their big 10 opener this will sound a little different UCLA on September 27th in this Nebraska Ben shot in all black that's Jordan lson she just came back from Paris and you want to know how many days head coach John Cook gave off weeks 0.0 zero she wanted to go to Mexico with her friends he said I'll see you tomorrow she said okay I said what one of the greatest players of all time for the USA Class Act she's up to four Olympic medals right so four Olympic medals doesn't buy you at least the weekend in km it's crazy seriously like we need to talk to John about that I think we do he might not listen no he probably won't she's going to be an excellent coach the player is absolutely lover her she takes them to coffee in the morning just to check in with them not just as players but as people having that kind of resource on the bench is massive and Jordan Larson has been where all these players aspire to be what a great role model in connection so when is the vacation is it like last week of December now she said she might get a few days off at Christmas after the volleyball season December 22nd is the last day in this building by the way yes December 22nd to January 2nd and not a day longer Nebraska the first team 20 here in set number four Nebraska won set one Kentucky won set two but then Nebraska took over establish their block one set three with ease and they're up by four here in the fourth they're up by five in the fourth seems like that set might be dying a little bit inside and Aaron lamb doesn't have room to operate around that block know Kentucky wants to run it really fast but even though you're running it fast doesn't mean that you have to shoot it low you still want to be able to shoot it high enough so that your hitters can Elevate you saw the block totals have completely swung in the brasz direction after Kentucky had a one block Edge after set number two all Nebraska in that category since then can Kentucky mount a late comeback here in set four starts with a good serve they get it and they get the point Ace for the wild cats Brook voltima has done a really nice job from the service line as a middle and as somebody who has been untested right she was out a season ago she red shirted and now this is her first true season with the wild cats she's been impressive and again a middle blocker taking pride in her serve and her defense BMA again missed block assignment by Kentucky and Meritt be all alone one on none great job by Bergen riy recognizing that B's coming out of the right back no blockers nobody home to work with heck of a play but that was made happen because she was left back and ran all the way across the court and Kentucky lost her with the block another block for Nebraska since set number two ended Nebraska's block Edge is now 13-2 wow two points away from taking the Opening match of the Season B 11 kills five blocks eight digs that one is long and this great Nebraska crowd that filled up this building tonight going to make some noise because it's Match Point here in Louisville Nebraska fans traveled well to Louisville Kentucky to support their [Applause] team delay now that one was close on her 58th swing of the night she catches that Cross Court line you both S I love the immediate Replay in Ball Match Point number two for Nebraska Harper server seed [Music] crowy kept alive B blocked back ky's not done yet I always say when you sat your middles get them involved the offense I feel like they're more connected to the game and they block better sure keeps them more engaged Match Point number three for [Applause] Nebraska Alec puts it away and Nebraska starts 2024 with a victory over Kentucky [Applause] bir [Applause] [Music] [Applause]