The #2 Nebraska Volleyball team had little time for self-reflection.

Tuesday’s stop in Dallas proved to be a nightmare for the Huskers, who were swept by SMU for NU’s first loss to an unranked opponent in more than six years. There were warning signs beforehand, though, as a surging TCU team pushed Nebraska to four sets with an attack that looked disjointed. That continued into Tuesday, but with the addition of passive serving that rarely got the Mustangs out of system, plus sloppy passing.

“We got hit in the face and we let them keep hitting us,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “I’m pretty disappointed with how we responded tonight, but to be honest, I’ve seen this. This all started Saturday night. We talked about frustration and we didn’t resolve it. We had a great practice last night, but we didn’t compete tonight. It was pretty disappointing.”

There’s little time to dwell on the loss for Nebraska, which returns to Lincoln less than 48 hours after its shocking defeat to host the Husker Invitational. Two non-Power Four opponents await the Huskers, who must get back on track for their territorial showdown with No. 10 Creighton next Tuesday in Devaney.

Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s Husker Invitational.

How to participate

Competition: No. 2 Nebraska (3-1) vs. The Citadel (2-1)

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

When: Thursday, 6:00 PM CDT

Watch: B1G+

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and affiliates

The Citadel Scout

Head coach: Dave Zelenock | 7th season | 86-86 record at school | Most successful head coach in school history

2023 record: 27-4 (14-2 SoCon, 1st) | AVCA All-American honorable mention, 2023 Southern Conference player, setter, libero and coach of the year | Swept by East Carolina in first round of NIVC

Record against Nebraska: 0-0 (First match)

Main returnees: Ali Ruffin, OH, Sr. | Belle Hogan, S, Sr. | Jaelynn Elgert, L, Gr. | Mackenzie Martin, OH, Gr.

Main deviations: Gina DeLancey, MB (Admission Requirements) | Maddy Cardenas, MB (Admission Requirements) | Angelina Sayles, OH, Soph. (Transfer)

Prospect: The Citadel coach Dave Zelenock enters his seventh season with plenty of hype, as the Bulldogs were voted preseason favorites to win the Southern Conference. That’s coming off a record-breaking 2023 campaign in which The Citadel went 27-4, breaking the program’s record for wins in a single season by 13 points. The Citadel won its first-ever regular-season conference title and entered the SoCon Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The season ended with a sweep by Samford in the semifinals, but history was made.

The Bulldogs return four of their seven players who earned all-conference honors in 2023. Leading that group is 2023 SoCon Player of the Year and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention Ali Ruffin. A native of Greenville, North Carolina, Ruffin will go down as one of the best players in program history. In 2023, she recorded the 12th-most kills in the nation with 529 (4.52 per set), which also holds the school’s single-season record. She also recorded 47 aces, 405 digs and 34 total blocks.

Ruffin was helped by the play of 2023 SoCun Setter of the Year Belle Hogan. She broke the program’s single-season record for assists with 1,265, plus career highs in kills (108), blocks (60) and aces (34). She was seventh in the NCAA in assists per set with 10.73, while ranking 13th in total assists. Libero of the Year Jaelynn Elgert is also back after a program-record 609 digs. Tulane transfer Mackenzie Martin enters her second year with the Bulldogs after posting 243 kills in 2023.

The Citadel still suffered some losses. All-SoCon Second Team middle blocker duo Maddy Cardenas and Gina DeLancey both graduated. Additionally, All-Freshman Team member Angelina Sayles transferred to Bradley after scoring 237 points.

Wright State transfer Aaliyah Byers will take control of the middle, along with senior Sadie Gomez. There’s plenty of experience on this team, so I don’t expect this team to be overly intimidated. Nebraska should be able to bounce back from SMU in this matchup, but this Citadel team could be fun to look back on at the end of the season.

How to participate

Competition: No. 2 Nebraska (3-1) vs. Montana State (1-1)

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

When: Saturday, 2:00 PM CDT

Watch: Nebraska Public Media

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and affiliates

Montana Explorer

Head coach: Matt Houk | 2nd season | 25-10 record at school |

2023 record: 24-9 (12-4 Big Sky, T-2nd) | Lost in five sets to Weber State in the Big Sky Conference Championship match

Record against Nebraska: 0-1 (2016)

Main returnees: Jourdain Kamps, OH, Gr. | Lauren Lindseth, L, Jr. | Madilyn Siebler, OH, Jr. | Camryn Greenwald, MB/OH, Jr.

Iey Departures: Kira Thomsen, OH (Eligibility Requirements)

Prospect: Montana State coach Matt Houk has a tough job to do after his debut season in 2023. The former Minnesota associate head coach led the Bobcats to a 24-9 overall record and 12-4 mark in Big Sky play, both school records. They also finished tied for second place in the conference, another first for the program. Montana State lost to Weber State in five sets in the conference finals, but postseason success followed. The Bobcats reached the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Wichita State.

The Bobcats lost outside hitter Kira Thomsen, who led the conference in total kills, kills per set, points, points per set, aces and total offense. Jourdain Kemps returns after a 2023 season with First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors. Hitters Camryn Greenwald and Madilyn Siebler both look to improve after this season, scoring nearly 300 points. Starting libero Lauren Lindseth is also back and provides experience in floor defense.

Nellie Stevenson returns for her sophomore season at Montana State as the starting setter. The California native played in all 33 games last year and dished out 1,049 assists for a rate of 8.53 assists per set, the fourth-highest total in the Big Sky, while recording six games with 40 or more assists.

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