NCAA Girls
December 14, 2023
By Joey Johnson for VolleyballMag.com
TAMPA — When the season started, top-ranked Nebraska featured 5 freshmen, most of whom had been anticipated to play key roles.
“I really feel like that (being doubted) is comprehensible with 5 freshmen coming in,’’ mentioned one them, outdoors hitter Harper Murray.. “I can see why individuals really feel that manner, however I feel that’s what drives all of us. We need to show individuals unsuitable. It doesn’t matter how previous we’re.’’
She was proper.
Nebraska’s freshmen confirmed up huge Thursday evening within the NCAA Match’s nationwide semifinals because the Huskers swept Pittsburgh Panthers 25-20, 25-23, 25-17 in Amalie Enviornment.
Murray confirmed up most importantly, registering a team-high 13 kills, hitting .273 on an evening when percentrages had been low for each groups. That included back-to-back kills that pulled Nebraska to the deciding level within the second set. She additionally contributed 5 digs and two block assists.
In the meantime, setter Bergen Reilly had 31 assists and three digs, whereas center blocker Andi Jackson had 5 kills and three block assists.
“I feel they’re all tremendous rivals,’’ mentioned Nebraska coach John Prepare dinner, whose staff improved to 33-1. “That’s their tremendous energy. They’re rivals. The larger the stage, the larger the match, the tougher they compete.’’
Harper, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, wears No. 27 in honor of her late father, Vada, a former Michigan soccer participant who died of most cancers in 2011.
On January 2, 1988, Vada Harper performed in Michigan’s Corridor of Fame Bowl victory towards the Alabama Crimson Tide on the previous Tampa Stadium — about 10 miles from the positioning the place his daughter will play on Sunday for a nationwide championship.
Harper, whereas elated along with her contribution towards Pitt, mentioned she’s laser targeted on the final word aim — successful the nationwide championship earlier than an ABC-TV viewers. It’s heady stuff for any participant — not to mention a freshman — however Harper mentioned she’s prepared for the problem.
“Our captains and all our upperclassmen, they’ve been by means of this earlier than (freshman season),’’ Harper mentioned. “I feel our staff does an ideal job of studying on one another. Nobody on this staff has made us really feel like freshmen after we’re struggling.
“The entire older women do a tremendous job of preserving us on observe. I used to be simply telling Coach about it. All of the captains, all the women, we belief one another. We’re there for one another. On the finish of the day, that’s what retains us going. We’re taking part in for one another. It’s pure love.’’
Earlier than the match, Prepare dinner mentioned he thinks extra freshmen are ready to right away contribute in school volleyball due to the rise of elite membership groups, together with many in small cities.
He recalled going to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to assist a newly christened membership with a clinic. Reilly, who was most likely then within the third grade, emerged all these years later as a participant adequate to be recruited by Nebraska.
“You watch membership volleyball now and there’s not only one or two groups which are dominating,’’ Prepare dinner mentioned. “There are nice groups all throughout the nation. That’s the place I might give the credit score. It has actually helped gamers transition to varsity.’’
And definitely these freshmen performed a giant half in Nebraska’s journey thus far.
“I feel all of staff — and our entire staff — is aware of what we’re going for right here,’’ Prepare dinner mentioned. “It’s not simple to get into this place. It’s not simple to get a sweep within the nationwide semifinals. However now we’re on this place and we have to be able to play an ideal match on Sunday.”