Epic women’s volleyball match: No. 1 Nebraska falls to No. 3 Texas A&M in NCAA DI tournament upset
Pictured: Texas A&M’s Logan Lednicky, Coach Jamie Morrison, and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla
Why watch women’s college volleyball?
If you haven’t heard about the biggest upset — all season — that happened in the 2025 NCAA Division I tournament, do a quick internet search on Texas A&M volleyball.
The No. 3 Aggies upset the No. 1 undefeated Huskers Sunday in Lincoln when it mattered most.
The sense of shock reverberated throughout The Bob when the final set point went to Texas A&M in the fifth set that ended with a score of 15-13.
In a sea of red and white, a much smaller sampling of Aggies fans roared. Their applause and shouts couldn’t equal that of the Huskers’ fanbase, but when it went silent, their feelings of pride and elation were captured on the national ABC/ESPN broadcast.
The fight was inspiring.
To say it was a Samson vs. Goliath is unfair to both sides, as the Nebraska women are widely respected for their perfectly orchestrated in system plays, their stingy pin hitters, and constant fluidity. And, they respect each other as individuals.
By all appearances, it would be easy to presume Nebraska (33-1) would naturally win. The Huskers dropped nine sets all season. They swept 27 matches, including Penn State twice, last year’s national champions, in swift fashion.
And, unlike the competition they faced all season, in the regional final, Texas A&M hit the gas and won the first two sets. Wait, what?
Both rosters are riddled with immense talent.
But, for the Aggies to stare down the Huskers, at Nebraska, under tremendous pressure, and still look like they were having the time of their lives, is an impressive, historical, and memorable feat.
We are fans of Rebekah Allick, Riley Bergen, Harper Murray, Virginia Adriano, and Andi Jackson, and the rest of the 2025 roster. Following the match, I texted Lily Dorf, FAN volleyball intern, and she was shocked.
Dorf rattled off names, stats, and more. She was floored.
That is the Nebraska effect.
The Aggies, though.
If you don’t want to replay the entire match, you must watch the fourth set. I thought Nebraska was set on trying to reach another world record of longest college women’s volleyball regional final game ever played.
And, their competitors, the Aggies, were in on it, too. Nebraska held on to win 37-35.
I was already in disbelief that the Aggies won the first two sets and when they only needed eight more points to win the fourth, I thought, Nebraska needs to push.
Allick, among others, did.
What felt like 30 minutes later, the fourth set finally came to an end after a marathon debate for match point.
While Nebraska had the last word, the Aggies quickly collected points in the fifth set, remained calm and ended the Huskers impressive 2025 season.
The final four include No. 1 Pittsburgh vs No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 1 Kentucky vs. Wisconsin. Both matches are scheduled December 18 in Kansas.
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