Two weeks down, eight more to go Big Ten play for the No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team. The Huskers have sprinted to a 4-0 record to start conference play NOW is tied with No. 3 Penn State entering the weekend.

Nebraska has won 12 of its first 13 sets in the Big Ten, with its lone set loss coming during a four-set win over UCLA on September 27. Since then, the Huskers have collected three straight sweeps and seven of the last eight games.

NU took on Illinois at Huff Hall in the first first conference road game of the 2024 season as they defeated Iowa and moved to 39-0 all-time against the neighboring state. And that was all without a breakout as a sophomore Andi Jackson who is still sidelined with an unknown injury. Nebraska coach Tuesday Johannes Kok said Jackson, who is hitting .475 this season, got through two-thirds of practice earlier that day, which could potentially earn her a return on Friday.

Jackson’s return would prove big for a NU team that welcomes No. 10 Purdue on Friday before taking on Rutgers in back-to-back night games.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Huskers’ busy weekend.

How to follow

Matchup: No. 2 Nebraska (14-1, 4-0 B1G) vs. No. 10 Purdue (12-3, 3-1 B1G)

Where: Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

Time: 7:30 PM CDT

Watch: Big Ten Network

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates

Purdue Scout

Head Coach: Dave Shondell | 22nd season | 470-229 (.672) Purdue and Career HC record | 2021 and 2011 B1G Coach of the Year, all-time winningest head coach in program history.

2023 record: 23-9 (15-5 B1G, T-3rd) | Three First Team All-Big Ten selections, one Second Team All-Big Ten member, two All-Freshman Team selections | Swept by No. 2 regional seed Oregon in Sweet 16.

All-time series: Nebraska leads 24-8 (last game of 2023, Nebraska won 3-2)

Fun fact: Nebraska has won the last five games between the two programs, including 13 of the last 14 dating back to 2014. The Boilermakers last won in Lincoln on Oct. 19, 2013, where Purdeu defeated the Huskers in both games that season. Plus, Purdue sophomores opposite Grace Heaney is from Omaha and attended Elkhorn North, where she developed into a top recruit.

Main returns: Raven Colvin, MB, Sr. | Eva Hudson, OH, Jr. | Chloe Chicoine, OH, Soph. | Taylor Anderson, S, Soph. | Lourdès Myers, MB, R-Sr. | Ali Hornung, DS, Sr. | Kenna Wollard, OH, Soph.

Most important additions: No.

Key starting points: Maddie Schermerhorn, L (eligibility) | Emily Brown, DS (eligibility).

Outlook: Purdue returns all but one starter from a team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago, and is built to win in the Big Ten and compete for its first conference title since 1985. As steady as they are, Dave Shondell has always a fierce team under his belt and that is no different in the middle of his 22nd year in West Lafayette.

The dynamic duo of 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Eva Hudson and high-flying sophomore Chloe Chicoine are causing major headaches for opponents and defenders in the back row. Hudson is currently averaging a career high of 4.09 kills per set, but she will also break career highs in both digs (2.36) and blocks (0.055) per set as she grows into an elite six-rotation player. Chicoine, the former No. 1 overall prospect, lived up to sky-high expectations in her debut season by being named an AVCA Third Team All-American after collecting 3.82 kills per set. That mark is down so far in her follow-up season (3.28), but like Hudson, she’s on pace for career marks in digs (2.62) and blocks (0.32) per set.

A true breakout story in the 2024 season, middle blocker Raven Colvin is on track to become a First Team All-American for the first time in her career. Her 2023 numbers were still very good, earning an honorable mention from the AVCA with 2.15 kills and 1.34 blocks per set. However, she crushed those numbers midway through her senior campaign with 2.68 kills and 1.74 blocks per set, which is second in the country and leads the Big Ten. Additionally, her .439 hitting percentage is third in the conference (behind only Jackson and Leyla Blackwell) and 11th overall among all players nationwide.

These three form a core that any team would envy, but let’s not forget a strong supporting cast. Sophomore hitter Kenna Willard has developed nicely on the right side with 2.10 kills per set with 27 blocks. Gone is All-Big Ten libero Maddie Schernerhorn, but returning senior Ali Hornung has filled those shoes with 4.11 digs per set, which is third in the Big Ten. Taylor Anderson grabbed the starting setter spot for the Boilermakers last year as a freshman with 9.88 assists per set while the team hit .253 overall. Standing at 6-foot-1 and ranked as the No. 1 setter in her recruiting class, Anderson has taken a huge step, dishing out 11 assists per set and on pace to reach career highs in nearly every statistical category. Additionally, Purdue is hitting an improved clip of .277 through 53 sets.

Don’t be fooled: This Purdue team is an elite team and has aspirations of reaching the first Final Four in school history. With experience on the big stage and impact players at every position, Friday will be a war between two top teams as they battle for the conference crown.

How to follow

Matchup: No. 2 Nebraska (14-1, 4-0 B1G) vs. Rutgers (5-10, 0-3 B1G)

Where: Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

Time: 7pm CDT

Watch: B1G+

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates

Rutgers Scout

Head Coach: Caitlin Schweihofer | 5th season | 37-89 (.294) at Rutgers; 110-197 (.358) Career HC record | Previous HC stops at Northeastern and La Salle University | 2018 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

2023 record: 10-20 (2-18 B1G, 13th) | One second Team All-Big Ten member, one B1G Sportsmanship Honoree | Did not qualify for the postseason.

All-time series: Nebraska leads 14-1 (last game of 2023, Nebraska won 3-0)

Fun fact: Rutgers’ only win against the Huskers came in the very first game between the two schools in 1978. The series resumed in 2014 when Rutgers joined the Big Ten. Nebraska has won 13 straight in the series, with its only non-sweep a four-set victory in the spring of 2021. Kenzie Dyrstad, Scarlet Knights sophomore libero and defensive specialist, is from Nebraska, where she graduated from Papillion- La Vista South High School.

Main returns: Alissa Kinkela, OH, R-Jr. | Kenzie Dyrstad, L/DS, Soph. | Lexi Visintine, OH/DS, Jr. | Rebekah Williams, OH, Jr.

Most important additions: Aly Borellis, S, Jr (Ole Miss) | Natalie Robinson, MB, Fr. (Recruiting) | Lily Bolen, S, Fr. (Recruiting) | Avery Jesewitz, OH, Fr. (Recruiting) |

Key starting points: Madyson Chitty, L/DS (Western Kentucky) | Rikki Williams, MB, R-Jr. | Alyssa Nayar, S (eligibility) | Taylor Humphrey, OH (Texas A&M) | Tina Grkovic, MB (Wake Forest).

Outlook: 2023 was a banner year for Rutgers under coach Caitlin Schweihofer. Despite posting 10-20 overall records and 2-18 in Big Ten play, the Scarlet Knights secured their first All-Big Ten forward while posting their most wins and best non-conference record since 2012. the 2023 squad 12 entries for the Rally Era individual season top 10 records, 13 entries in the Rally Era team top 10 records, while most sets played, kills, assists, assists per set, digs and solo blocks have been collected by any team in conference play since joining the Big Ten in 2014.

Unfortunately, replicating 2023 Rutgers’ success in Schweihofer’s fifth season appears to be a difficult task. As tough as it is, the Scarlet Knights lost four of their starters to the transfer portal, including their starting libero, setter, outside hitter and leading middle blocker.

However, Alissa Kinkela stayed for her junior season after being named to the All-Big Ten Second Team last year following a season with 2.99 kills per set on a .240 hitting percentage with 1.79 digs per set, 79 blocks and a team-high 29 aces. She has increased these numbers by mid-2024 with 3.62 kills and 1.83 digs per set, along with 38 blocks and 12 aces. She is on pace to collect more conference honors by the end of the season.

Native to Nebraska and Graduated from Papillion-La Vista South Kenzie Dyrstad is the starting libero and has a score of 2.96 digs per set as a sophomore. Depleted by transfers, Schweihofer has leaned on freshmen and returning players to make a move. Freshman Avery Jesewitz is second on the team with 2.07 kills per set, while returning junior Lexi Visintine is third on Rutgers with 88 kills.

They are new setters for Rutgers this season after losing Alyssa Nayar, making her ineligible in the offseason. Ole Miss transfer Aly Borellis has taken the reins but has been spotty at 6.55 assists per set, with freshman Lily Bolen also stepping in with a mark of 3.5 assists per set. Another fellow freshman, Natalie Robinson, leads the block at the front with a 65, while she is joined by sophomore Zora Hardison with a 42.

With numerous freshmen gaining valuable playing time this season, it’s clear Rutgers is in rebuilding mode after its best season in more than a decade. Rutgers is a very tough job and the Scarlet Knights reign can be proud of the momentum Schweihofer has built, but 2024 will act as growing pains as the freshman moves toward better days.

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