Nebraska Volleyball Begins Season Against Indiana

• For the first time in 13 months, the Nebraska volleyball team will return to the court when they travel to Bloomington, Indiana this weekend for a pair of matches against the Hoosiers. The fifth-ranked Huskers will serve it up at Wilkinson Hall at 5 p.m. CT on both Friday and Saturday.   Friday’s match will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM with coverage on the Huskers Sports Network beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Series History
• Nebraska is 17-1 all-time against Indiana and has won 17 straight matches in the series since dropping a 2-0 decision in 1978. The Huskers beat the Hoosiers 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-14) in Bloomington last year on Oct. 25. Lauren Stivrins had 17 kills on .394 hitting in the match.

Coaches
• John Cook: 21st year at Nebraska (588-81); 28th year overall (749-154)
• Steve Aird: 3rd year at Indiana (30-34); 7th year overall (85-108)

About the Huskers
• Nebraska returns every starter from last year’s 28-5 squad that reached the NCAA Regional Final against eventual national runner-up Wisconsin.
• Senior middle blocker Lauren Stivrins and senior outside hitter Lexi Sun were AVCA All-Americans and All-Big Ten First-Team selections in 2019. Junior setter Nicklin Hames was also an All-Big Ten First-Team choice in 2019. Stivrins and Hames will return to captain the Huskers for a second straight season.
• Senior opposite hitter Jazz Sweet, senior defensive specialist Hayley Densberger and junior middle blocker Callie Schwarzenbach also provide veteran experience for the Huskers. Sweet was a member of the Madison Regional All-Tournament Team last year after 12 kills and a .345 hitting percentage against Hawaii in the NCAA regional semifinal.
• Sophomore outside hitter Madi Kubik was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2019 and, along with sophomore libero Kenzie Knuckles, was a member of the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
• The Huskers added four newcomers during the offseason, including junior Missouri transfer Kayla Caffey. The middle blocker ranked ninth nationally with a .408 hitting percentage during the 2019 season. She joins three freshmen who are new to the program: middle blocker Kalynn Meyer, setter Anni Evans and defensive specialist Keonilei Akana.
• Sophomore setter Nicole Drewnick has opted out of the 2020-21 season. The Dallas, Texas native played in 29 matches as a freshman, primarily as a serving sub.

Scouting Indiana
• The Hoosiers went 14-19 overall last year and 3-17 in the Big Ten to finish 13th. Indiana was picked 11th in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll released on Wednesday.
• Indiana graduated seven seniors from its 2019 team and has eight freshmen on this year’s squad. Third-year coach Steve Aird will rely on junior outside hitter Breana Edwards, who averaged a team-best 3.47 kills per set in 2019.

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