The reigning champions have a chance to defend their title. Texas is back in the NCAA volleyball national championship match after dominating top-seeded Wisconsin in the semifinals. The Longhorns will take on Nebraska, the favorites to win, in one of the most heated rivalries in the sport.
While Texas took down Wisconsin in a ruthless four sets, the Huskers made quick work of Pitt with a sweep. This year’s championship game will be the third time the Longhorns and Huskers meet in this match; Nebraska won their previous meetings in 1995 and 2015.
This time around, it’ll be matched up about as evenly as it can get. Freshman setters Bergen Reilly vs. Ella Swindle, fearless freshman Harper Murray vs. two-time national champion Madi Skinner on the outside, Lexi Rodriguez vs. Emma Halter in the back row and Bekka Allick vs. Asjia O’Neal battling in the middle.
Both squads have only grown in confidence and consistency as time’s gone on. But this one is for all the marbles. It’ll be a test of defense and determination.
MORE: Watch the NCAA volleyball national championship live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking the NCAA volleyball national championship game between Nebraska and Texas. Follow below for live updates and highlights.
Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Final | |
| Nebraska | 22 | |||||
| Texas | 25 |
Nebraska vs. Texas live updates, highlights from NCAA volleyball championship game
All times Eastern.
4:26 p.m. – Nebraska will use it’s first challenge. Murray’s swing was long, but John Cook is challenging for a touch.
4:23 p.m. – An error by Ella Swindle ends Texas’s 11-0 run. Nebraska trails 18-11 in the second.
4:20 p.m. – No breaks in sight for the Longhorns! A block by Wenaas makes it nine straight points, and Nebraska uses its second timeout.
The Longhorns are on a roll 🤘#NCAAWVB x 🎥ABC / @TexasVolleyball pic.twitter.com/Dz9kKHCKBs
— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 17, 2023
4:18 p.m. – That’s four straight aces for Asjia! That ties her career high.
HOW MANY ACES IS ASJIA GONNA HAVE 🔥#NCAAWVB x 🎥 ABC / @TexasVolleyball pic.twitter.com/ise46cC2fh
— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 17, 2023
4:16 p.m. – Two straight aces for Asjia O’Neal give the Longhorns the lead! They’re on a 4-0 scoring run, prompting a timeout from the Huskers.
4:11 p.m. – Murray out of the back, and the Huskers are the first to 10! Timeout, Texas, as it trails by three.
4:00 p.m. – Lots of errors through set one. Skinner leads the court with six kills as Texas out-hits Nebraska .176% to .065%.
End of first set: Nebraska 22, Texas 25
3:58 p.m. – What better way to end it than a Keonilei Akana ace? The former-Husker helps the Longhorns take the first set of the match 25-22.
3:54 p.m. – Murray ties it up at 22 with an ace! The Huskers are on a 6-2 run, helped by a Longhorn red card that automatically gives them the point. Timeout, Texas.
3:51 p.m. – A Texas block forces a Nebraska timeout! The Longhorns lead 22-19.
MOLLY IS A BRICK WALL!!!! @mollyphillips_ | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/naYdguSCCB
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) December 17, 2023
3:48 p.m. – Are you not entertained?! Jenna Wenaas ends the best rally of the game but is called in the net. Point, Huskers, and a yellow card is given to the Texas coaching staff.
3:43 p.m. – Madi Skinner gets her first ace! The Huskers call a timeout as they trail 17-14.
3:39 p.m. – At the first media timeout, Texas leads 15-14 in the first set.
3:37 p.m. – We have our first challenge! Jerritt Elliot is challenging a touch on the Nebraska block. But the call is confirmed for the Husker point! Texas is down to one challenge.
3:32 p.m. – We have ourselves a rally, and Harper Murray ends it on a tip! Nebraska takes its first lead 10-9.
GET YOUR POPCORN, WE’RE IN FOR A GOOD ONE 🍿#NCAAWVB x 🎥 ABC / @HuskerVB pic.twitter.com/I4Xh54Q6Gg
— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 17, 2023
3:30 p.m. – Points are traded back-and-forth. Two for Jenna Wenaas, two for Andi Jackson. It’s tied at eight.
3:28 p.m. – The Longhorns get out to a 4-0 lead, but Nebraska rallies back to tie it up at six a piece.
3:23 p.m. – Nebraska serves first, but Madi Skinner gets the first point of the afternoon for Texas.
3:20 p.m. – A matchup for the ages.
IT’S GO TIME 🏆
(2) @TexasVolleyball 🆚 (1) @HuskerVB#NCAAWVB x 🎥 ABC pic.twitter.com/lwt7ZdFXXD— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 17, 2023
3:12 p.m. – The last time the Longhorns and Huskers met was Dec. 11, 2021, in Austin. That was Texas’s last NCAA tournament loss.
3:05 p.m. – First serve will be in approximately 15 minutes.
2:48 p.m. – The Huskers have been here before, but it hasn’t gone their way in recent years. They lost in 2018 and 2021 to Stanford and Wisconsin, respectively. This is their fifth title appearance in nine seasons.
2:18 p.m. – Nebraska is just warming up, on the court and in the stands.
The Huskers have taken the court for warmups. pic.twitter.com/GD0F7rnk9C
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) December 17, 2023
1:18 p.m. – Fans are lined up and ready for the teams’ arrivals. It’s a sea of red in Tampa.
The scene at Amalie Arena before Texas and Nebraska arrive ahead of the national championship match. pic.twitter.com/wZXbnvuhsr
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) December 17, 2023
1:13 p.m. – There’s plenty of support for the Longhorns as they make their way to Amalie Arena.
Sending them off right 🤘 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/YFH7GDqsxk
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) December 17, 2023
What channel is Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball on today?
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: ESPN App, Fubo
For the first time, the NCAA volleyball game will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming is available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball start time
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 17
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
First serve between Nebraska and Texas in the national title game from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, will be at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 17.
