The Nebraska Huskers fell flat on their face against the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship finals. The Longhorns reaped a clean-sweeping victory over the top-seeded team, making them lose their second and most important match of 2023.
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The outside hitter of the Texas Longhorns, Madisen Skinner, stood in the center of Nebraska’s destruction. The vanquisher displayed the best of her season-long hot offensive hand against the Huskers. However, a social media post also showcased her mighty defensive prowess in the national championship finals.
Texas Longhorns adds defensive feather to her already bright resume
Texas Volleyball tweeted a video of the amazing defensive play of Madisen Skinner on its official X account. The tweet carried the caption, “Solo block @MadiSkinnerr!!! #HookEm.” The video showed the high-flying Skinner silencing a kill attempt for the Texas Longhorns and huddling with her teammates right after.
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Solo block @MadiSkinnerr!!!#HookEm pic.twitter.com/kj0pkh86I1
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) December 17, 2023
Skinner also displayed her defensive prowess in receiving the ball, securing five flawless receives. While she showed good defensive gameplay, she breathed fire on the Huskers in the offensive department as well. The Texas Longhorns star was the highest kill-scorer on both sides of the court.
The Big Twelve Player of the Year scorched 16 kills down the throats of Nebraska and burnt down their defensive fortress. Her all-around performance added to her showdown against Wisconsin and earned her the ‘Final Four Most Outstanding Player’ award as well.
The Nebraska Huskers had made headlines throughout the year for their formidable defense that revolved around their captain, Lexi Rodriguez. However, the Texas Longhorns easily overpowered the Nebraskan defense. Texas displayed a way better defensive game than the Huskers in the finals.
Humiliating Nebraska in its own game
In addition to turning the defense of Nebraska into Swiss cheese, the Texas Longhorns also showed the Huskers what a true defense means. Texas didn’t just put up similar blocking and digging numbers like Nebraska on the charts, they created massive defensive pressure throughout the match.
This forced Nebraska’s Big Ten Setter of the Year Bergen Reilly to become highly predictable like Wisconsin. Thus, while the Texas Longhorns secured 38 kills and 34 assists, Nebraska could only manage 20 kills and 18 assists.
Moreover, the Texas Longhorns also harassed Nebraska with their service aces, which couldn’t even be stopped by Lexi Rodriguez. The 3x All-American was outclassed by Texas’ libero Emma Halter, who scored nine digs while Rodriguez only scored six. Which team were you rooting for? Did the outcome of the match surprise you?
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Edited by
BHUJAYA RAY CHOWDHURY