The home squad proved they can dig deep when it counts
If you showed up to H-E-B Center on Wednesday night expecting a clean sweep, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to how professional volleyball works. LOVB Austin’s season opener against Nebraska was messy, intense, and exactly the kind of back-and-forth battle that makes this sport worth watching.
Austin took it in five (22–25, 25–20, 22–25, 25–22, 15–9) but not before Nebraska reminded everyone why they’re not to be taken lightly.
The Give and Take
Nebraska came out swinging and took the first set off a series of long rallies that had Austin scrambling. But the home crowd wasn’t about to let their team go down easy, and Austin answered back in the second with cleaner passing and setter Brie O’Reilly finally finding her rhythm.
The third set? More of the same chaos. Nebraska’s quick tempo had Austin reacting instead of controlling, and despite some heroic defensive plays, the visitors grabbed the 2–1 lead.
That’s when things got interesting.
Finding Another Gear
Down 2–1, Austin could’ve crumbled. Instead, they locked in. Better reads, smarter plays, and an offense that finally clicked all came together in the fourth set. They built a lead, held off Nebraska’s push, and forced a fifth.
And in that deciding frame, Austin put it away. A 6–1 start turned into a 15–9 finish, with the home team serving aggressive and defending like their lives depended on it.
The Standouts
Logan Eggleston was doing everything. 18 kills, 13 digs, and the kind of two-way play that reminds you why she’s here. Madisen Skinner matched that energy on the opposite side with 17 kills, finding gaps all night.
Newcomer Madi Banks dropped 16 kills in her Austin debut, while Bella Bergmark and Asjia O’Neal controlled the middle with efficient, high-percentage attacks that gave Nebraska’s block fits.
O’Reilly ran the offense with the poise you want from a setter making her LOVB debut, setting her hitters to a .408 clip while adding nine digs herself.
Next Up
Austin (1–0) hosts another match Sunday, January 11 at 6:30 p.m. at H-E-B Center. If opening night proved anything, it’s that this team knows how to battle and they’re not afraid of the moment.
