After going 1-1, losing to No. 12 Arizona State and beating unranked Marquette in five, Texas volleyball opened the Players Era Showcase with a sweep against TCU. But that was only a quiz before the big test Sunday afternoon when the Longhorns play Nebraska.
With many of its seasoned veterans returning, Nebraska looks primed for a national championship. Big Red started its season Thursday in Spikes Under the Lights in Arlington where it came out victorious against Florida and SMU. The Cornhuskers, which won 33 games last season, opened their trip to Las Vegas with a sweep Saturday night against UNLV.
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The Longhorns have not seen the Cornhuskers since the 2023 national championship game when Texas pulled off the sweep for its second straight title. Here is how UT can beat Nebraska:
Know where the offensive weapons are, get them alone
Nebraska setter Bergen Reilly will use any and every weapon at her disposal.
Florida focused on the pins so much Thursday they middle blockers Andi Jackson and Manaia Ogbeche had ample space to lay down kills; they combined for eight in the two-set match. Using the middles takes pressure off outside hitters Harper Murray and Virginia Adriano, allowing the pair to deliver big swings.
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Transition points also cannot be taken lightly — the Cornhuskers will look to set up one-on-one opportunities for the main trio. However, if there is a one-on-one, and teams read the offense, they can properly anticipate defend Nebraska. SMU setter Hannah Beauford won a joust against Murray on an overpass Thursday night because Beauford anticipated Murray would throw it down. UNLV’ middle blocker Rheanna Deen-Jackson had a solo block Saturday at the center of the net over Ogbechie when the Cornhuskers needed a bit of power and went to the middle.
Texas’ triple block can work well against Nebraska by meeting meet the power of the Huskers weapons when they try to go line or inside. But the block must pay attention to attacks from the back row, and Longhorn libero Ramsey Gary will have her hands full trying to defend the back line.
Tom Brady talks with Harper Murray of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Players Era Volleyball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 29, 2026 in Las Vegas.
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How Nebraska can be exploited
Nebraska had a 12-3 lead over SMU and a long rally featured three digs and four blocks, including the block point against Jackson. Even though the Cornhuskers had a heavy lead, the Mustangs worked to wear them down during the rally, and outside hitter Christa Wilburn recorded a solo block appearing to anticipate Jackson’s attempt. That was part of a 3-0 rally and it was one of many long points.
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In set two of that match, SMU’s libero Victoria Harris had a pair of diving digs — the team had 17 on the night— to keep a point alive and when it looked like the Mustangs were going to tool the block, they went offspeed for the point. Florida kept its game close earlier in the night, fighting for long rallies and ending the night with 23 digs against Nebraska’s 26.
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UNLV went on a 5-0 run in its game Saturday against the Cornhuskers when it kept digging and forced Nebraska to play out of system.
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With the power both teams have on offense, a lot of bodies will hit the floor, especially during long points. Texas can sometimes look for the tip during crunch time, but if it picks the right spots it can disorganize a Nebraska front expecting a big swing.
Cari Spears (23) of the Texas Longhorns reacts with teammates against TCU during the Players Era Volleyball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 29, 2026 in Las Vegas.
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Match power with more power
Florida does not have the same amount of topspin servers as Texas, but outside hitter Selena Laban did her job at the service line. She challenged Nebraska’s power by getting it out of system despite finishing the night with one ace and three service errors on five total attacks.
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Not every disorganized possession will lead to points and Texas’ new way of serving will challenge how well Nebraska can score when scrambling. Even if it has led to a fair amount of errors, Texas will have chances to score on freeballs.
The challenge for Texas then becomes changing up who the Longhorns go to for a score and how they do it. Middle blockers Nya Bunton and Taylor Harvey can drill a ball into the donut if they are set up with no one in front of them. Cari Spears, Henley Anderson and Torrey Stafford each has the power to rival Nebraska on the outsides; they will be hard to stop if Nebraska can’t take away the line or the sharp angles the trio like to take.
How the Longhorns pick up the pieces after outside hitter Abby Vander Wal went down with a leg injury Friday against TCU will be key. Texas takes the court against Nebraska at 12:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
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Harper Murray of the Nebraska Cornhuskers walks the court during the Players Era Volleyball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 29, 2026 in Las Vegas.
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