Heartbreak in Five: Nebraska’s Unbeaten Run Ends in Instant Classic vs. Texas A&M
If you’re a Nebraska fan, this one’s going to sting for a while. Not just because the season ended.
Not just because the national title dream slipped away. But because it happened in a match that had everything-emotion, grit, comebacks, and the kind of drama that defines championship volleyball.
In a five-set thriller that will go down as one of the most memorable matches of the season, Texas A&M edged out previously undefeated Nebraska, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13, punching their ticket to the Final Four and ending the Huskers' quest for perfection.
For the neutral fan, it was a classic. For Husker Nation, it was heartbreak.
A Battle for the Ages
Let’s start with the fourth set-because that’s where this match turned from high-stakes volleyball into pure theater. Down 18-11 and staring down elimination, Nebraska clawed back with an 8-1 run to tie it at 19.
What followed was a marathon of nerves and resilience. The Huskers fended off multiple match points, earned 10 set points of their own, and finally broke through with back-to-back kills from Harper Murray and Virginia Adriano to take it 37-35.
That set alone had enough twists and turns to fill a postseason highlight reel. And for a moment, it felt like destiny was tilting back toward the Big Red.
The Final Push Falls Just Short
But the fifth set didn’t follow the script. Texas A&M jumped ahead early and held the lead for most of the frame.
A pivotal moment came at 6-6 when Rebekah Allick thought she had tied it with a deflection off the Aggies’ block. Instead, the point went to A&M, sparking a 3-0 run that built a 10-6 advantage.
Nebraska didn’t fold. They fought back to 14-13, one point away from tying it again. But Logan Lednicky’s kill sealed it for the Aggies and ended the Huskers’ season in the most gut-wrenching fashion.
Grit, Even Through Adversity
This wasn’t just a battle between two top-tier teams-it was a test of depth, adaptability, and heart. Nebraska was dealing with more than just the pressure of the moment.
Allie Sczech suffered a pregame injury, stepping on a ball during warmups. Setter Bergen Reilly was under the weather but still managed to post 58 assists and 13 digs in a gutsy double-double performance.
“She’s the best setter I’ve ever played with,” said Murray, who had a career-high 25 kills. “And the fact that she could go out there feeling as sick as she does and still work her butt off and play like that-it’s truly amazing.”
Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly echoed the sentiment, proud of her team’s fight despite the setbacks. “We played our hearts out and had a lot of things against us this week and were still that close,” she said. “I’m just proud of the way we finished that match and I’m super proud of our seniors.”
Texas A&M’s Relentless Attack
Credit where it’s due: Texas A&M came in prepared and unshaken. Kyndal Stowers (25 kills) and Logan Lednicky (24) were relentless, and middle blocker Morgan Perkins made life tough for the Huskers at the net, tallying nine blocks. The Aggies edged Nebraska in kills (75-73), attack percentage (.275 to .270), and dominated in blocks (17-8).
They also made timely adjustments and capitalized on Nebraska’s brief lapses-none bigger than the 10-0 run in the first set that erased a 15-10 Husker lead. That swing helped set the tone early, and even though Nebraska bounced back, the margin for error was razor-thin all night.
A Legacy Left Behind
For seniors like Rebekah Allick, the end was emotional. She finished with 15 kills on 25 swings, hitting an impressive .480 with four blocks. But it wasn’t just about the numbers-it was about the impact she’s had on the program.
“I just want to say Bekah has put her heart and soul into this program,” Murray said postgame, stepping in to answer a question for her tearful teammate. “She’s leaving behind a great legacy and has so much to be proud of.”
Busboom Kelly summed it up best: “We maxed out today. That’s always the goal at the end of the year.
We didn’t make the Final Four, we’re not winning a national championship, but we gave it our all. And when you can walk away from the last game of the season and feel like you have no regrets, that’s something to be proud of.”
Final Thoughts
Nebraska’s season ends at 33-1. One win short of the Final Four.
One set short of keeping the dream alive. But this team didn’t go quietly.
They fought through illness, injury, and adversity-and nearly pulled off one of the great comebacks in tournament history.
In the end, it just wasn’t their night.
But what they left on the court? That was championship-level heart.