Nebraska Cornhuskers Women Win Big Ten Title
Cornhuskers Sweep Maryland to Claim Championship
Lincoln, Nebraska - March 5, 2023
The Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball team captured the Big Ten Conference championship on Sunday, March 5, with a dominant 3-0 sweep of the Maryland Terrapins.
The Huskers, led by All-American middle blocker Kayla Caffey, controlled the match from the outset, winning the first set 25-18 on the strength of a .400 hitting percentage.
Maryland fought back in the second set but ultimately fell 25-23, as Nebraska's defense, anchored by libero Kenzie Knuckles, proved too strong.
The third set was all Nebraska, as the Huskers cruised to a 25-15 victory, securing their second Big Ten title in three years and the program's seventh overall.
Caffey led the Huskers with 15 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while outside hitter Madi Kubik added 12 kills and 10 digs for a double-double.
The victory extends Nebraska's winning streak to 12 matches and improves their record to 27-4 overall and 18-2 in Big Ten play.
With the conference title secured, the Huskers now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they will be one of the top seeds and have a legitimate chance to compete for the national championship.
Key Statistics
- Nebraska hit .350 as a team, while Maryland hit just .179.
- The Huskers had 12 blocks to Maryland's 6.
- Nebraska had a 39-26 advantage in digs.
Quotes
"I'm so proud of this team," said Nebraska head coach John Cook. "They played their hearts out tonight and deserved this championship."
"We knew Maryland was a tough opponent, but we were ready for them," said Caffey. "We played together as a team and got the win."
"This is a dream come true," said Kubik. "We've worked so hard all season, and it's amazing to finally win a Big Ten championship."
Looking Ahead
The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Sunday, March 12. The Huskers will likely be one of the top 16 seeds and will host the first two rounds of the tournament.
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