By Lionsfan

1.  Lions-Huskers Silver Anniversary Celebration: Home Sweet Home Edition

The storied rivalry between Penn State and Nebraska continues this Friday with the 25^th meeting between the two titans.  It will be the 10^th time they meet with one team ranked #1. What stat below are you most impressed by?

• Meetings Between Nebraska and Penn State: 24 (9 of those have been in the NCAA tournament)
• Wins in the Series: Nebraska has won 14, Penn State has won 10
• First 11 matches: Nebraska won 9; Penn State won 2 (matches played from 1981 to 1996 — 9 matches were played in Nebraska, one played at Penn State; 1 played at a neutral site)
• Last 13 matches: Penn State has won 8; Nebraska has won 5 (matches played from 1997 to 2014 — 8 matches were played in Nebraska, 3 were played at Penn State, 2 were played at a neutral site)
• Matches played in Nebraska: 17
• Matches played at Penn State: 4
• Matches played on neutral court: 3
• NCAA Home Court Win Streak records: 1. Penn State: 94 (9/1/06 to 8/26/11) 2. Nebraska: 90 (9/11/04-9/11/09) 3. Penn State: 87 (11/25/95 to 9/16/2000) 4. UNI: 74 (11/1/97 to 9/18/04) 5. Nebraska: 63 (9/29/99 to 12/14/02) 19. Nebraska: 43 (9/5/92 to 12/18/94) 20t. Penn State: 42 (9/23/89 to 9/27/91)

2.  Lions-Huskers Silver Anniversary Celebration: Top 10 Edition

• Matches with both teams in the Top 4: 9
• Matches with both teams in the Top 10: 19
• Matches with one team ranked #1: 10 (including this year; no rankings in 1981)
• Total Weeks Ranked in AVCA Poll (up to Week 5 in 2015): Nebraska 484 (Tied 1^st with Stanford), Penn State 434 (6th)
• Total Weeks Ranked #1: Penn State 86 (1st), Nebraska 85 (2nd)
• Total Weeks Ranked in Top 10: Nebraska 431 (2^nd; three weeks behind #1 Stanford), Penn State 318 (5^th; 8 weeks behind #4 UCLA)

3.  Lions-Huskers Silver Anniversary Celebration: NCAA Tournament and Awards Edition

• 1990, 1994: Years in which one of the programs ended an undefeated season by the other in an NCAA Regional Final
• National Titles: Penn State 7, Nebraska 3
• Title Game Appearances: Penn State 10, Nebraska 6
• Final Fours: Penn State 12 (2^nd in NCAA), Nebraska 11 (4^th in NCAA)
• NCAA Tourney Appearances: Penn State 34, Nebraska 33
• All Americans: Nebraska 38 (1st in NCAA), Penn State 30 (3rd in NCAA) (Stanford is second with 31)
• All-American certificates: Nebraska 77 (1st in NCAA), Penn State 65 (3rd in NCAA) (Stanford is second with 73)
• 1st-Team All-American certificates: Nebraska 41 (2^nd in NCAA), Penn State 37 (3^rd in NCAA) (Stanford is first with 49)
• Player of the Year Awards: Penn State 4, Nebraska 3

Note: Many of these numbers were taken from the NCAA and AVCA record books, which could easily be off a tad (the All-American numbers are the ones I am most unsure of being 100 percent accurate), so any corrections are welcome!

4.  Level-Headed John Cook on Friday’s Match

“It’s going to be a great challenge for our team. We’ll see if we can go to another level.  .  .  . Another level playing . . . better.”  Got it.

5. Lions Huskers Series Recap

Here is a refreshed rundown of the rivalry between these two powerhouses:

2015

• Oct. 2nd – University Park, PA; #1 Penn State vs. #4 Nebraska

2014

• Oct. 3rd – Lincoln, Neb.; #8 Nebraska def. #3 Penn State 12-25, 25-22, 25 -20, 25-23
• Nov. 29th – University Park, PA; #4 Penn State def. #10 Nebraska 25-21, 25-15, 25-16

2013

• Nov. 30th – Lincoln, Neb.; #2 Penn State def. #10 Nebraska 22-25, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24

2012

• Sept. 19th – University Park, PA; #4 Penn State def. #3 Nebraska 23-25, 28-26, 25-17, 26-24
• Oct. 28th — Lincoln, Neb.; #4 Nebraska def. #1 Penn State 12-25, 32-30. 19-25, 25-23, 15-10

2011

• Sept. 21st – Lincoln, Neb.; #10 Nebraska (Big Ten) def. #5 Penn State 25-18, 25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10
• Oct. 29th – University Park, PA; #8 Penn State def. #1 Nebraska 25-17, 25-15, 17-25, 25-17

2008

•  Dec. 18 th- NCAA Final Four Semifinals, Omaha, Neb.;#1 Penn State def. #4 Nebraska 25-17, 25-18, 15-25, 22-25, 15-11

2007

• Sept. 2nd – Holiday Inn Downtown Classic, Lincoln/Omaha, Neb.;  #1 Nebraska def. #3 Penn State 30-20, 30-21, 30-27

2005

• Sept. 11th – Info USA/Arby’s Players Challenge, Lincoln/Omaha, Neb.; #1 Nebraska def. #4 Penn State 30-14, 30-27, 30-23

(Note: Penn State played at the season-opening State Farm/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase that year, also in Lincoln; they lost to Stanford 3-2 in the first match; a win would have put them against Nebraska)

1999

• Aug. 28th – NACWAA Classic, Lincoln, Neb.; #1 Penn State def. #3 Nebraska 11-15, 15-12, 15-8, 16-14

1998

• Dec. 19th – NCAA Final Four Semifinals, Madison, Wisc.; #2 Penn State def. #3 Nebraska 15-11, 15-8, 8-15, 15-11

1997

• Sept. 19th – Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge, Madison, Wisc.; #1 Penn State def. #5 Nebraska 16-14, 15-12, 16-14

1996

• Dec. 14th – NCAA East Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; #4 Nebraska (Big 12) def. #3 Penn State 15-12, 8-15, 15-13, 9-15, 20-18

1995

• Aug. 28th – NACWAA/State Farm Classic, Lincoln, Neb.; #2 Nebraska def. #7 Penn State 15-4, 15-3, 15-6
• Dec. 8th – NCAA Central Region Semifinal, Lincoln, Neb.; #1 Nebraska def. #9 Penn State 15-7, 15-6, 14-16, 15-2

1994

• Dec. 10th – NCAA Mideast Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; #5 Penn State def. #1 Nebraska 12-15, 15-11, 15-9, 15-8

1993

• Sept. 4th – Penn State Classic, University Park, PA; #7 Nebraska def. #11 Penn State (Big Ten) 15-11, 9-15, 15-4, 15-17, 15-10

1990

• Dec. 8th – NCAA Mideast Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; #2 Nebraska def. #6 Penn State 15-12, 16-14, 10-15, 15-5

1987

• Sept. 12th – Husker Invitational, Lincoln, Neb.; #7 Nebraska def. #19 Penn State 15-12, 15-12, 15-17, 15-7

1986

• Dec. 12th – NCAA Mideast Regional Semifinal, Lincoln, Neb.; #7 Nebraska def. #14 Penn State 7-15, 15-4, 16-14, 16-18, 15-9

1985

• Dec. 7th – NCAA First Round, Lincoln, Neb.; #4 Nebraska def. #20 Penn State 15-8, 15-7, 15-12

1982

• Dec. 4th – NCAA First Round, Lincoln, Neb.; #15 Nebraska def. Penn State 15-13, 15-5, 15-13 (only 20 teams ranked; PSU was ranked early in season)

1981

• Oct. 2nd – SW Missouri State Invitational, Springfield, MO; Penn State (A10) def. Nebraska (Big Eight) 15-2, 15-8

 

6. Gophers Gain Respect

Minnesota moved up five spots in the poll to #16 following a pair of five-set matches. The Gophers went the distance against the Buckeyes in Columbus for the win after squandering a two-set lead, and followed it up by giving Penn State all it could handle in Rec Hall, battling back after being down two sets before falling 15-11 in the fifth. Ohio State recovered by topping Wisconsin in five. The Buckeyes dropped a spot to #13, while the Badgers fell three spots to #19. Purdue had a solid weekend by toppling the Michigan schools, moving up two spots to #18. All of the teams are part of the eight B1G schools in the poll, the most of any conference (the Pac-12 has seven teams ranked).

7. Pac Battle – Samantha Bricio Edition

Behind a career-high 34 points from senior outside hitter Samantha Bricio, Southern Cal topped Stanford in Maples in the Pac powers’ only meeting of the season. Stanford holds a 59-26-1 advantage in the series, but USC is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings—and won on The Farm for just the seventh time in program history. USC jumped Texas this week to move to #2 (its highest ranking since October 14, 2013, when the Women of Troy were ranked #1), while Stanford stayed at #8. Southern Cal is now 14-0 for the fourth time under coach Mick Haley—and off to the program’s best start since 2006 (17-0).

8. Wild Win

The Wildcats must have read lionsfan’s quip last week questioning their #24 ranking. Lionsfan will not question the Wildcat’s ranking any more. Kentucky traveled to Gainesville and came away with a signature win, topping then-#5 Florida in four. The victory was Kentucky’s first over Florida in six tries, and the program’s first win over a top-five opponent since the Wildcats beat #4 Minnesota 3-2 in 2013. It was Kentucky’s 11^th ever win over Florida (11-49) and its first win in Gainesville since 2009. It marked just the 28^th home loss for the Gators under coach Mary Wise (390-28). Kentucky moved up to #21, while Florida dropped four spots to #9.

9. Sun Devils Reach All-Time High

With a sweep of Oregon State and a four-set win over its in-state rival Wildcats (in front of 5,152 fans, the most ever in Coach Jason Watson’s eight-year tenure), Arizona State moved to 13-0—the second-best start in school history, and the best start in the NCAA era (the Sun Devils went 21-0 to start the 1973 season). ASU moved up to #6 in the poll, the program’s highest ever. Last week they matched the previous high of #7 (Sept. 30, 1986). Up next, the Sun Devils host #8 Stanford—a team they are 4-65 against all time. ASU’s last win against the Card came on Sept. 30, 2000 in Tempe.

10. Rock Chalk!

Arizona State isn’t the only team breaking records. Kansas followed up its Big 12 opener against rival Kansas State (they are now 6-1 in the last seven matchups with the Wildcats) with a sweep of Texas Christian. The Jayhawks are now 14-0, the best start in program history. They moved up to #12 this week, setting a new program high (which they set last week at #15, besting the previous high of #17).

11. Cowgirls Ride High

Since dropping a match to #12 Kansas earlier this month, Wyoming has won six in a row (and nine of its last 10) to up its record to 12-2. It entered the poll this week at #25—the first time since Oct. 11, 1994 that the Cowgirls have been ranked. As noted by the Cowgirl SID, “Wyoming was ranked four times during the 1994 season, which also was the last time Wyoming beat two ranked teams in one season. The Cowgirls beat No. 10 Arizona State 3-2, and No. 23 Georgia 3-2. UW went four straight weeks in the top-25, with the highest ranking that season being No. 23 the week of Sept. 27th.”

12. Welcome Back, Hawaii!

With sweeps of UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, Hawaii has won seven in a row to improve to 12-1. They moved up to #10 in the poll—the first time since Oct. 21, 2013 (#8) that the Bows have been in the Top 10. It is the 355^th time that Hawaii has been in the Top 10, trailing only Stanford (434) and Nebraska (431). The Bows were aided by then-#10 BYU’s loss to unranked Santa Clara, dropping the Cougars to #15.

13.Congrats, Brian!

Meanwhile, Big West Rival Long Beach State had some celebrating of its own to do. With a sweep of UC Davis, the 49ers earned coach Brian Gimmillaro his 800^th win (now at 801 with a win over UC Irvine). He becomes just the seventh active coach to reach 800 wins, and only the fourth to do so at one institution (the other three? Russ Rose of Penn State, Dave Shoji of Hawaii and Karen Chisum of Texas State). He is only the 14th coach ever to record 800 wins at the Division I level. Gimmillaro’s career spans 31 years and includes three national titles.

14. What to Watch For

• Undefeated and #5 Washington (13-0) survived a five-set scare at Washington State, and now hits the road to battle its first ranked teams of the season: #11 UCLA and #2 USC.
• Meanwhile, #7 Illinois hits the road to face #19 Wisconsin and #16 Minnesota, which—along with the Penn State and Ohio State tandem—look to be the toughest back-to-back Big Ten tests.
• Plus, #9 Florida may face a tricky road test at 12-2 Arkansas (catch it on the SEC Network on Sunday), winners of its last four (against Kansas State, Wisconsin, LSU and Texas A&M).

 

15. Lionsfan’s Top 25: 9-28-15

(Click team logos for more info)

School	Lionsfan's 9-28-15 Rank	AVCA 9-28-15 Rank (1st Place Votes)	W	L
Penn State	#1	#1 (63)	13	0
	#2	#2 (1)	14	0
	#3	#3	12	1
	#4	#4	11	1
	#5	#6	13	0
	#6	#8	7	3
	#7	#5	13	0
Florida	#8	#9	9	2
	#9	#7	11	2
	#10	#13	12	2
	#11	#11	10	2
Kansas	#12	#12	14	0
Hawaii	#13	#10	12	1
Minnesota	#14	#16	9	3
BYU	#15	#15	11	2
Arizona	#16	#14	11	3
Florida State	#17	#17	9	4
Wisc.	#18	#19	8	4
Purdue	#19	#18	11	2
Arkansas	#20	#26	12	2
Kentucky	#21	#21	10	5
Long Beach	#22	#24	12	3
Oregon	#23	#22	7	4
Colorado State	#24	#20	9	3
	#25	#23	11	2

 

Credits

• Early morning on the beach at Kualoa Regional Park, Hawaii, by Paul Bica.  This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.