NASHVILLE – For the first time in program history, the Lipscomb University volleyball team faced a national number one, and they were able to do so in front of a near capacity crowd inside Allen Arena. Hosting the University of Nebraska, the Cornhuskers defeated the Bisons in straight sets. 

Nebraska is ranked number one in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Poll. 

Final Score: No. 1 Nebraska 3, Lipscomb 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)
Location: Allen Arena
Records: Lipscomb (0-1), Nebraska (3-0)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The preseason favorites to win the national championship came out strong in set one with an 8-3 lead before the Bisons burned their first timeout. 

Unfortunately, for the Cornhuskers, the break did not phase them at all, as they swelled their lead to 20-9. 

After Nebraska got it to set point, the Bisons rallied off two straight thanks to a Cornhusker attack error and a Cora ter Kuile ace. However, Nebraska earned the sideout and took set one, 25-13. 

From there, the nerves settled for Lipscomb in set two. The Bisons took an early 4-3 lead after an assisted block by Brooklyn Fuchs and Ella Durham. Unfortunately, a service error by Lipscomb brought the ball back to Nebraska, and they went on a 6-1 run to lead 10-6. 

The Bisons made it a 12-10 affair with a Courtney Jones solo block from the left side, but Nebraska stayed focused with a 9-4 run before the home team had to burn a timeout. 

Similar to the second set, it took some time for Nebraska to secure a set. With the score at  24-18, the Bisons rallied for three straight points, thanks in large to an assisted block by ter Kuile and Berkley Mischler. 

On the next point, Jones pinned a big service ace to make it 24-21, but a service error on the next rally gave the Cornhuskers to the second set victory. 

Despite the Bisons falling 4-1 early in the third, they rallied back to even the score with a Mischler kill and ace on back-to-back point. 

For Nebraska, despite Lipscomb making a 9-8 affair in the frame, they rallied off a 9-3 run to lead 18-11 en route to a 25-15 score and match win for the top team in Division I. 

Despite the stats from the match, the second set proved to be the most competitive of the night for the home squad, posting 10 kills on 29 swings. However, Nebraska totaled 42 kills for the match. 

QUOTABLE
Hear from head coach Brandon Rosenthal after Friday's opening night match. 



KEY STATISTICS
Four Bisons posted five kills in the match: Courtney Jones, Sydney Strenger, Berkley Mischler and Ella Durham. 

Mischler added four total blocks, while Cora ter Kuile totaled three on the night. 

Jones led the receptions with 10 digs. 

HERD NOTES
This is the first time ever Lipscomb has played or hosted a national number one team in program history.

Overall, the Bisons have played two teams ranked No. 3: Texas (2016) and Florida (2017). Both were true road matches. 

Additionally, Tennessee's No. 9 ranking in 2005 was the highest ranked foe to visit Allen Arena until Friday night. 

Attendance for the game was 4,235, setting a new volleyball record in Allen Arena. The previous high came on Aug. 26, 2022, when 3,167 fans saw Lipscomb take on Stanford. 

UP NEXT
The LUV Invitational continues on Saturday when No. 7 Kentucky visits Allen Arena for a 2 p.m. serve.