It’s game day (match day?), and it truly is historic — the first match for Nebraska as a member of the Big Ten. Based on a non-scientific survey of Nebraska fans and Penn State fans, we think Nebraska is the favorite to heavy-favorite for this match, though there is a groundswell of opinion that believes the Penn State fans are sandbagging and this match is a toss-up.
Our logical brain picks Nebraska — the Huskers are a talented team with a great coach, playing at home in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd, and even though both teams have issues to resolve, it seems to our logical brain that Nebraska has fewer of them. Admittedly, this conclusion may be more a reflection of our greater (much greater) exposure to the trials and tribulations of this year’s Penn State team, than to any careful analysis of how Nebraska has fared this season (in this case, we opted for “why be burdened by the facts?”). Nonetheless, if we had to pick a winner, we’d reluctantly pick Nebraska.
Our irrationally exhuberant brain, on the other hand, holds out hope for Penn State. That part of the brain is a fan, and loses all sense of perspective at times like this. So, Go Nittany Lions!
We do think this will be a great match, and both teams will learn alot about themselves. We’re looking forward to it.
Below are the NCAA stats for both teams, their rosters, and a video press conference from John Cook:
Penn State
Updated as of 8-24-2011
| Number | Name | Position | Year/ Class | Height | HS (Club) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Scott, Ariel  | OH | 2/So. | 6-04 | Immaculate Heart Academy (Team Complete Athlete) | NJ |
| 02 | Kabbes, Katie  | OH | 4/Sr. | 6-04 | Cardinal Gibbons (Triangle Volleyball) | NC |
| 04 | Gonzalez, Dominique  | DS | 1/Fr. | 5-06 | Sandra Day O'Connor/ (Alamo Volleyball) | TX |
| 05 | Carpenter, Kristin  | 3/Jr. | 5-06 | Hanover (Richmond Volleyball Club) | VA | |
| 06 | Martin, Maddie  | OH | 2/So. | 6-02 | H.B. Plant (Tampa Bay Juniors) | FL |
| 07 | Grant, Nia  | OH | 1/Fr. | 6-02 | Howland (Cleveland Renaissance Volleyball Club) | OH |
| 08 | Denny, Erica  | MH | Fr. (RS) | 6-05 | Grandview (Front Range Volleyball Club) | CO |
| 10 | Racibarskas, Marika  | S | 3/Jr. | 6-00 | Chatham (Team Complete Athlete) | NJ |
| 11 | Dorton, Darcy  | OH | 2/So. (RS) | 6-02 | Delta (Munciana) | IN |
| 12 | Hancock, Micha  | S | 1/Fr. | 5-11 | Edmond Memorial (Oklahoma Peak Performance) | OK |
| 13 | Shifflett , Megan  | DS/S | 4/Sr. | 5-06 | Langley VA Elite | VA |
| 14 | Whitney, Aiyana  | OH | 1/Fr. | 6-05 | Northern Valley Regional (Downstate Juniors) | NJ |
| 15 | Harding, Maggie  | DS | 1/Fr. (RS) | 5-06 | State College Area | PA |
| 16 | Slay, Katie  | MH | 2/So. | 6-06 | Wakefield (Triangle Volleyball Club) | NC |
| 18 | McClendon, Deja  | OH | 2/So. | 6-01 | Dupont Manual Magnet (KIVA) | KY |
| 23 | Longo, Ali  | DS | 2/So. | 5-06 | Chatfield (Juggernaut Volleyball) | CO |
| 33 | Fuller, Lacey  | DS | 1/Fr. | 5-06 | Torrey Pines (Coast Volleyball) | CA |
Nebraska
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