Undefeated Nebraska takes a perfect 19-0 record into Thursday's showdown with UCLA, providing a sneak preview of one of the toughest tests on the Huskers women's college volleyball schedule this season.
Nebraska Earns Multiple Player Honors This Week
The Huskers head into the match riding individual bests. Sophomore Teraya Sigler earned Big Ten Player of the Week after posting a .400-range hitting clip across wins over Purdue and Northwestern.
And junior libero Olivia Mauch took home Defensive Player of the Week with a personal-best 21 digs against the Boilermakers. Even so, UCLA at 15-4 and 6-2 in Big Ten play offers a different challenge than either of those opponents.
Under first-year head coach Matt Werle, the Bruins have outpaced their ninth-place women's college vollyeball preseason ranking.
They've built their defense around Marianna Singletary, who tops the Big Ten with 108 blocks. Freshman Brooke Harwood adds pace up the middle with a .359 clip, the highest on UCLA's roster, while transfer Lola Schumacher anchors the back row.
Bruins Search for Consistency Against Huskers
However, that roster talent hasn't translated against elite competition. Losses to Michigan State and Kentucky suggest the Bruins lack consistency in top-tier NCAA volleyball matchups. Nebraska's depth across the rotation should be enough to control this one if it keep to its current form.
The Huskers take on the Bruins at home Thursday at 7 PM ET, live on FS1.
