
Steve Moseley, Central Nebraska Today
ORD — This was much more than a volleyball match. This was a once-in-history event for the tiny Valley County village of Ord.
The Huskers defeated the game-but-out-gunned South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday in four exhibition sets 25-18, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19. Nebraska’s rotating lineup hit at a .317 pace while holding the Jacks to .015.
The Jacks, though, were anything but a patsy opponent for Nebraska. Last season, Division I SDSU amassed a 27-2 record in the Summit League regular season and qualified for the NCAA national championship tournament where they fell to Miami of Florida in Lincoln.
For the Huskers in Ord, Middle blocker Andi Jackson was a force the Jacks could not reckon with in a double-double performance of 11 kills, 10 blocks. Several of her kills were so thunderous they seemed almost to suck the air out of the Chanticleer gym when the packed-tight crowd first could see it coming, then went berserk when it did.
Heavy-hitter Harper Murray recorded a dozen kills, seven digs, five blocks and a pair of ace serves in a rock-solid, versatile performance. Middle blocker Rebekah Allick was credited with nine blocks and eight kills.
First-year Nebraska Coach Dani Busboom Kelly found a gem in freshman setter Campbell Flynn. She proved to be a difference-maker in relief of Bergen Reilly, who sat out the match to rest an injury. The 6-3 powerhouse setter’s stat line ran to 44 assists, eight digs and four each of kills and blocks.
On defense, Laney Choboy and Maisie Boesiger lifted nine and eight digs.
The community, population 2,078 in 2023, went all-out to welcome and celebrate the Huskers’ visit, including hayrack rides to the match from downtown and more. The Chanticleer gym capacity was maxed out at 1,750 red-clad fans.
Following the match the Huskers settled in and dutifully signed autographs until every fan in the long, winding line was greeted with a smile.
The win makes the Huskers’ spring exhibition record by sets a flawless 8-0 on the heels of an earlier four-set, home sweep of the Kansas Jayhawks.