The Nebraska Volleyball team will begin their long-awaited journey toward the goal they’ve been eyeing for a long time, a shot at the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship 2025. After finishing the regular season undefeated, they will play the first round of the tournament on December 5 against Long Island University (LIU).
The Huskers will enter as clear favorites, backed by a massive turnout of Husker fans at their home arena, the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
When is Nebraska Volleyball’s First-Round Match Against LIU Expected to Start?
Nebraska’s match is expected to start about 30 minutes after the San Diego vs. Kansas State first-round match, which begins at 4:30 PM CST on December 5 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. While the Huskers enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed thanks to their dominant season, Long Island finished 20-8 overall and 15-1 in the Northeast Conference.
The winner of this match will advance to the second round, where they will face either Kansas State or No. 8 San Diego. Both the games will be telecast live on ESPN +. Fans can also tune in to the Huskers Radio Network and its affiliates to listen to the match.
MORE: Why John Cook Chose Dani Busboom Kelly to Lead Nebraska Volleyball Next
Notably, the Huskers last claimed the NCAA title in 2017 and lost their chance at a title in 2023 by finishing as a runner-up. Having dominated the 2025 season and facing real challenges only against Kentucky and Creighton, the team will hope to carry that momentum into the national tournament as well.
Coach Dani Busboom Kelly Highlights the Season’s Turning Points That Shifted Momentum for the Huskers
Nebraska’s Coach Dani Busboom Kelly, reflecting on her team’s near-perfect season, pointed to the Creighton match as the moment that truly shifted momentum for the Huskers. With so much happening that week, the team was pushed to its limit, yet still managed to pull out a win, which was a turning point that she believes set the tone for everything that followed.
She went on to acknowledge that since that match, the group has stepped up collectively, raising their own standard and driving the season forward. During her appearance on the Sports Nightly show, Kelly recalled, “I felt like the Creighton game, we had a lot of stuff going on that week and for us to get pushed and come out on top, I think was a big turning point for our team. That comes to mind.”
The 3-2 scoreline (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9) reflects just how intense that battle was. But beyond that five-set thriller, Kelly noted that her team has “done it all,” embracing challenges and refusing to let anything slow them down.
