The Qwest Center in Omaha will be rocking this weekend as four of the nation's top college volleyball teams bang heads at the AVCA Showcase Friday and Sunday.
This year has something of a conference flavor to it, as two of the top teams in the Big 12 battle two of the best from the Pac 10. All four teams are ranked in the top 10 of the AVCA preseason poll, including three of the top four, which should make for a great season-opening test for all four teams.
The Huskers come in with a young and untested bunch after losing several key players from the 2006 national championship and 2007 NCAA tournament teams. Only one starter is back from last year's team that spent much of the season at No. 1 before falling in the regional finals. Hooper, Neb., native Jordan Larson will be called upon to be the leader of a team that will learn on the run this year.
The seventh-ranked Huskers will face No. 2 Stanford in the opening game of the classic on Friday at 7 p.m. Stanford is trying to become the third team in NCAA history to reach volleyball's final four in three consecutive seasons. Stanford is coming off a 32-3 season and a Pac 10 title and returns six starters from last year, including reigning Player of the Year Foluke Akinradewo and fellow All-Americans Cynthia Barboza and Alix Klineman. Stanford also features some Nebraska flavor in its lineup, as former Bellevue West standout Gabi Ailes is a libero for the Cardinal.
On Sunday, the Huskers get another big test against a Pac 10 power when they meet No. 4 USC in a 3 p.m. matchup. The Women of Troy reached the semifinals last year and went 29-5, and they have five starters coming back, including All-American setter Taylor Carico and hitter Jessica Gysin. USC is a very young but very experienced team that will give the Huskers a real test in their second game.
Coach John Cook told the media this week that these are the kind of games he wants his young and inexperienced team to have right out of the gate, as it will give them an indication of where they are at and what they need to work on if they want to return to the Qwest Center this December for the NCAA Volleyball Final Four.
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