Texas Claims Second Consecutive NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship with Sweep of Nebraska
The Texas Longhorns secured their second consecutive NCAA women’s volleyball championship by sweeping the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday. This victory solidifies Texas as the top program in the nation. Here are the key highlights from the match:
Impressive Performance by the Longhorns
- The Longhorns, with a season record of 28-4, showcased their dominance by defeating three of the top four seeds in the postseason. They sealed their championship run with a commanding 25-22, 25-14, 25-11 victory against the No. 1-ranked Huskers.
- Senior outside hitter Madisen Skinner led the offensive charge for Texas, recording an impressive 16 kills.
- Texas’ precise serving disrupted Nebraska’s offensive rhythm throughout the match. The Longhorns set a championship-match record with 12 aces, including four by All-American middle blocker Asjia O’Neal during an 11-0 run in the second set.
- Despite a red card issued to Texas coach Jerritt Elliott during the first set, the Longhorns maintained their composure and closed out the set with a 3-0 run.
Significance of Texas’ Victory
This triumph solidifies Texas as the premier women’s volleyball program in the country. Their back-to-back championships came after overcoming formidable opponents such as Stanford, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. The Longhorns’ resilience is evident as they rebounded from a slow start to the season, losing three of their first eight matches in September.
Furthermore, Texas’ victory against Nebraska marks their first win in three championship meetings and their fourth overall title. Madisen Skinner, a standout performer throughout the NCAA Tournament, secured her third national championship win. Skinner transferred to Texas last year after helping Kentucky claim the 2020 title.
The match was broadcasted on ABC, marking the first national network coverage of an NCAA women’s volleyball championship. The sport has experienced significant growth and increased interest in 2023, fueled by Nebraska’s record-setting event in August, which drew a crowd of 92,003 at the school’s football stadium.
(Photo: David Buono / Getty Images)