The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team opened its season with a 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20) win over No. 9 Kentucky in the AVCA First Serve Showcase at the KFC Yum! Center.The doubleheader event at the Yum! Center was the first of its kind, played in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2.
AVCA FIRST SERVE SHOWCASE 🏐
— Kinsey Lee (@kinseyleetv) August 27, 2024
What a way to open the season for No. 9 @KentuckyVB here at the KFC Yum Center for a top 10 showdown vs. No. 2 @HuskerVB
Catch all the coverage tonight on @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/PW2E4KTGkC
One of the Wildcats’ biggest stars was in the building for the AVCA First Serve Showcase. Kentucky National Champion Avery Skinner made the trip to Louisville after earlier this month representing Team USA at the Olympics and bringing home the silver medal.
Despite the circumstances, there was not too many early nerves. A back-and-forth affair, Kentucky had the early lead in the first set before it was tied at 19 and the Huskers strung together a clinching run. In the second set, the Cats were the team that fell behind quickly and then had to put together a strong run to tie it up at 14-14. Erin Lamb finished it off with a kill to tie it up at one set apiece.
Our Olympic silver medalist @averyskinnerr in the 🏠!!#WeAreUK x @AVCAVolleyball pic.twitter.com/VeCIANXiTE
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) August 27, 2024
The third set belonged to Nebraska, and they used the momentum to get the win in the fourth. They used 18 blocks to lead their defensive attack, their most since 2018. Rebekah Allick led the charge with 11 kills and 12 blocks. Merritt Beason finished with 11 kills, eight digs and six blocks for Nebraska.
Brooklyn DeLeye led the Wildcats with 19 kills, while Erin Lamb added 14. Emma Grome started her season with 42 assists and Eleanor Beavin began the season with 23 digs.
Final from Louisville.
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) August 28, 2024
Join us Friday night as we re-open Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.#WeAreUK x @AVCAVolleyball pic.twitter.com/sK1xKQJB4Z
The Wildcats will return home to reopen the newly renovated Historic Memorial Coliseum this Friday August 30th against Northern Kentucky. They will have three games against in-state competition in the Bluegrass Battle Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend.
Kentucky Volleyball In The AVCA First Serve Showcase » Greenville Sports Media #BBN #WVB #SEC
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) August 25, 2024
@KentuckyVB @CSCast_ @drinklocalbham @Jhspors @GreenvillSMedia @therealfreshcha @JacobsTalk @aberryandarose @JasonJeharrison https://t.co/FjN3vITWwk
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