The University of Texas had another great win to end their season with. This was a thrilling game to watch for the Texas fans. Coming into the game Texas was ranked second in the nation with a record of 24-4. The opposing team, the University of Nebraska, was first in the nation with a competing record of 33-1.
The year prior to this, Texas had beat the Louisville Cardinals in 2022. Not only was this a back-to-back national championship, but Texas had also beat both the Cardinals in 2022 and Nebraska in 2023 in a clean sweep and an ace on the final point. This means that in both occurrences, they won the match 3 sets to none.
According to NCAA.com, looking back at the stats taken in the game between Texas and Nebraska shows Texas winning in overall kills, digs and blocks. The first set was a close score of 25-22 leaving some hope for Nebraska to come back. But with a great run of aces and kills Texas won the second set 25-14. For Nebraska to have to come back they would have had to win the next three sets. But with no energy, Texas won the final set 25-11 winning the finals.
Texas had gone back-to-back in championships, setting a NCAA record during the matches with a total of 12 aces throughout the game. This gives Texas five total championship wins in 1981, 1988, 2012, 2022 and 2023.
Senior Keira Adrian wanted Nebraska to win after watching them fight throughout the season, getting themselves out of tricky situations and working together as a team the whole time.
Adrian states, “Although I was rooting for Nebraska, I was not upset because the Texas girls worked incredibly hard, and they have a gifted setter. I was not upset that Texas won, I was more upset with how Nebraska played.”
On the contrary, senior Liv Manning wanted the underdogs, Texas, to win.
“I think Texas deserved that win especially having so many important senior role models on the team,” she said. Manning believes that Texas had an overall better serve receive, and showed more team play than the young Nebraska team.
Sophomore Madi Ruport also wanted Texas to win. This is her dream school to go and play volleyball. She was nervous for her team because Nebraska was ranked number one. But after the first set, she felt confident in this team.
Overall, this was an exciting game for all Texas fans and was a great way to continue their winning streak. The clean sweep was unexpected but very well deserved after watching them work hard during this game and even throughout their season.
