5:30 am, December 20, 2024
No. 1 Penn State delivered a stunning reverse sweep to upset No. 1 Nebraska in the 2024 NCAA women’s volleyball semifinals, winning 23-25, 18-25, 25-23, 28-26, 15-13. It marked the first reverse sweep in the semifinals of the tournament since 2018.
Nebraska appeared poised to advance after taking the first two sets with strong performances from Andi Jackson, who finished with 18 kills, and a solid defensive effort from Rebekah Allick. But Penn State rallied, led by Jess Mruzik’s offensive spark and Izzy Starck’s key blocks, to take control in the next three sets.
The Nittany Lions found their rhythm in the third set, using a 5-0 run to take the lead, with Starck contributing six blocks and Mruzik finishing with 17 kills. The Huskers struggled to contain Penn State’s momentum as the match continued.
In the fourth, Nebraska had a 22-16 advantage, which would lead to the Huskers being able to close out the semifinal with two match points, but the set ended with the Nittany Lions stunning the Nebraska-dominant crowd sealing the fourth with a 28-26 final score.
In a thrilling fifth set, Penn State held off a late Nebraska push, with Starck’s block sealing the win. This marks Penn State’s 14th NCAA championship match appearance and their first since 2017. They’ll face Louisville on Sunday, December 22.
5:26 am, December 20, 2024
Penn State’s momentum carries into Set 5 with a 5-2 start, forcing a Nebraska timeout. Taylor Landfair’s kill cuts it to 7-5, but PSU still leads 8-6 in a tight decider.
5:16 am, December 20, 2024
Penn State stormed back to win the fourth set 28-26 in extra points. The Nittany Lions jumped out to a 5-2 lead early and stayed in front until the Huskers fought back. Nebraska surged ahead 22-16, but Penn State wasn’t done. The Nittany Lions capitalized on Nebraska’s errors and timely blocks to steal the set.
We’re going ✋
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 20, 2024
4:56 am, December 20, 2024
Harper Murray’s back-to-back aces and an impressive serving run help Nebraska climb back to an 18-16 lead in Set 4 with PSU.
BACK-TO-BACK ACES FOR THE ALL-AMERICAN @harpermurray4, WE’RE TIED TIMEOUT PSU 🗣️
S4 | Huskers 15, Lions 15 pic.twitter.com/lrFkuQOy5v
— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) December 20, 2024
4:47 am, December 20, 2024
Penn State carries its momentum into Set 4, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and maintaining control at 14-11. The Nittany Lions capitalized on key blocks and sharp kills, forcing Nebraska to call a timeout.
S4 | #PSUVB 14, Nebraska 11 Hopp SOLO BLOCK! 🚫
Huskers timeout#WeAre pic.twitter.com/NDnkujfCaj
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 20, 2024
4:36 am, December 20, 2024
Penn State keeps the match alive, winning Set 3, 25-23. The Nittany Lions used a 5-0 run to grab a 13-10 lead and held off Nebraska’s late push. Andi Jackson’s efficient night continued with her 15th kill on just 17 swings, but Penn State’s clutch play down the stretch forced a fourth set.
4:18 am, December 20, 2024
4:07 am, December 20, 2024
Set 3 is heating up! Nebraska jumped ahead 7-6 after a big Taylor Landfair kill, but Penn State rallied to take an 11-10 lead. A key review and back-to-back kills from Rebekah Allick kept the Huskers in the mix.
4:01 am, December 20, 2024
Tonight’s attendance at the KFC Yum! Center hits 21,726 — the largest crowd ever for an NCAA volleyball semifinal. Historic energy in Louisville!
2️⃣1️⃣7️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ a National Semifinals attendance record! 🥳#NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/mhgSI7aLFE
— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 20, 2024
3:48 am, December 20, 2024
Nebraska takes Set 2, 25-18, behind seven blocks in the frame. The Huskers broke away with a 4-1 run and later pushed their lead to 15-8. Andi Jackson was unstoppable, racking up 11 kills on 13 swings (.846) through two sets.
Have no fear @aandijackson is here 💪
— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 20, 2024
3:31 am, December 20, 2024
Huskers go on a 4-1 scoring run to force a Penn State timeout. Nebraska leads 11-7 in Set 2 with Andi Jackson continuing her hot streak. She has 8 kills on 10 swings, hitting .800. The Huskers have capitalized on a few Penn State errors, including an attack error from Camryn Hannah.
3:19 am, December 20, 2024
Nebraska takes Set 1, 25-23, with Andi Jackson’s two late kills securing the win. Penn State led late, but Nebraska rallied to close it out. Jackson posted 6 kills, hitting .750 for the set.
3:10 am, December 20, 2024
It’s a back-and-forth battle in the first set as Penn State holds a slim 22-21 lead over Nebraska. The Huskers started strong, building a 12-7 advantage behind a block from Andi Jackson and Harper Murray. Penn State responded with a 4-0 run to close the gap, and since then, it’s been a tight race to 25.
S1 | #PSUVB 22, Nebraska 21@CJurevicius is doing it again… 5 kills, .429 hitting!#WeAre
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 20, 2024
2:52 am, December 20, 2024
Nebraska jumps out on an early 9-6 advantage over Penn State. An ace from Olivia Mauch and a block from Rebekah Allick helps give Nebraska the advantage in Set 1.
2:38 am, December 20, 2024
