Silent killers? Maybe! The SMU Mustangs are quietly making big waves this college volleyball season. Just over a month ago, they stunned the No. 2 Nebraska Huskers on their own turf, handing them their first loss of the season—and they did it with flair. The Mustangs swept Nebraska 3-0, leaving the once-dominant Huskers looking anything but Goliath. But hey, some critics were quick to brush it off as a fluke—after all, SMU is ranked No. 15. So, for the Mustangs, it’s all about proving this wasn’t a one-hit-wonder. So it was time to show the doubters they’re here to stay, and lightning can strike twice!

Last Saturday, the SMU volleyball women’s team stepped into Moody Coliseum to earn another stunning victory. This time, the opponent was the table-topper Pittsburgh Panthers. But the Mustangs didn’t feel bothered by that status. Rather, they went on a full-blown attack on the Pitt volleyball team. During the game, no one stood to be favorite as the squads fought neck to neck. In the end, again, the Mustangs put the winner’s crown on their heads.

These two wins have made the unranked team a ranked squad in the college volleyball Power 10 rankings. Moreover, the Mustangs have earned their due credit from someone extraordinary. As the coach of the Nebraska Huskers volleyball women’s team, John Cook has a stunning resume. For his jaw-dropping achievements, he has earned the title of National Coach of the Year. That speaks volumes about his grab on the sport.

However, the soft-spoken coach is not very well-known for his praise of other teams. But this time, he has made an exception. In a recent press conference, Cook sang praises for the valor of the SMU squad. Noting their victory against the Panthers, the veteran coach said, “Pittsburgh found out, everybody thought they were kind of invincible but SMU is for real.” However, the latest AVCA rankings show the Panthers still sitting at the pretty top while the Nebraska Huskers are chasing them. Despite the defeat last week, the Panthers are well ahead with 41 total first-place votes. That means they snagged every first-place vote last week. That’s where the Cornhuskers lagged. 

According to last week’s AVCA rankings, the Nebraska volleyball team has collected 19 first-place votes. Although last week John Cook-coached squad presented one of the most phenomenal games of this season. On Friday, the Big Red locked horns against the No. 10 Purdue in a five-set game in their home arena at Lincoln. In the game, the Huskers remained thoroughly favorite. Yet, they had to fight to add each point to their chart of scores.

In the end, the fans sitting in Bob Devaney Sports Center felt relieved as the home team boasted of the victory in the set point of 3-2. This was their 36th consecutive victory at home. That speaks for their fortress in Lincoln! However, a top position in the rankings is still far from them. But the Huskers have a chance to nail it. 

The Nebraska volleyball women’s team may taste the untasted soon 

This season, the Nebraska volleyball women’s team has secured the first-place vote each week. However, only two results have derailed them: the match against SMU and last week’s match against Purdue Boilermakers. But apart from those matches, the rest of their story has been nothing short of a fairy tale. 

This season, the Cornhuskers have faced a gauntlet of 10 ranked teams. And guess what? Four of those were top-ten squads, and Nebraska took them all down in stunning fashion. But wait, there’s more. They’ve also overpowered teams like Arizona State (No. 13), Kentucky (No. 15), USC (No. 16), and UCLA, proving they’re not just playing in the big leagues—they’re dominating them.

And don’t look now, but Nebraska’s not done yet. They’ve got a real shot at grabbing the top spot. How, you ask? Well, on November 1, they’ll face off against No. 9 Wisconsin, and just a few weeks later, on November 29, they’ll go head-to-head with No. 3 Penn State. If they can knock out both teams, they could be in the running for that coveted No. 1 ranking. But it’s still early, so right now, it’s SMU’s time to make this contest unforgettable.