Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (top left) celebrates with her team after a kill during a win against No. 5 Minnesota on Feb. 21.
For the second week in a row, the Nebraska volleyball team will play in a matchup of top-five teams.
In the new American Volleyball Coaches Association poll released Monday, Wisconsin remained at No. 1 and the Huskers stayed at No. 4. The Huskers and Badgers will play two matches against each other this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers are 10-0 and Nebraska 7-1.
Nebraska’s last match against the No. 1 team in the country was against Stanford in the 2018 national championship match, which Stanford won in five sets.
In 2019, Nebraska played in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup when Nebraska was No. 1, with the Huskers losing to Stanford in that match.
Last weekend the Huskers split two matches against No. 5 Minnesota, with the Huskers earning the sweep in the second match.
Minnesota remained at No. 5 in the poll and is just 37 points behind the Huskers in the voting of 60 coaches.
Ohio State (9-0) moved into the poll at No. 19, giving the Big Ten six ranked teams.
Defending national champion Stanford dropped out of the poll, and isn't ranked for the first time since the poll began in 1982. The Cardinal have a 1-3 record with six postponed matches. That means Nebraska has been ranked in the poll a record 564 times, including 508 times in the top 10
Nebraska's Kenzie Knuckles (center) and Lexi Sun (center right) celebrate with their teammates after a kill by Lauren Stivrins (right) in the first set against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota's Stephanie Samedy celebrates after scoring a kill against Nebraska in the third set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota's Regan Pittman (left) goes up for a tip against Nebraska's Nicklin Hames in the second set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota coach Hugh McCutcheon speaks to his team before their match against Nebraska on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota's Regan Pittman (first center) tips the ball over Nebraska's Lexi Sun (left), Kayla Caffey (second center) and Nicklin Hames during a match last week. Nebraska and Minnesota both had matches postponed this week.
Nebraska's Madi Kubik ( top right) has a shot blocked by Minnesota's Shea Rubright (bottom left) and Stephanie Samedy in the first set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota's Stephanie Samedy rises above Nebraska's Madi Kubik to spike the ball in the third set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (left) and Lexi Sun (center) block a shot by Minnesota's Stephanie Samedy (right) in the first set Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (top left) celebrates with her team after a swift kill in the second set against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) sets the ball for teammate Lauren Stivrins during a match against Minnesota on Feb. 21.
Kenzie Knuckles (left) and Lexi Sun celebrate a kill by Lauren Stivrins in the third set against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska assistant coach Jaylen Reyes (center) speaks to the team during a timeout during a match against Minnesota on Feb. 21 at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Madi Kubik hits the ball over the net in the first set against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Lexi Sun returns a serve in the second set against Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska's Riley Zuhn (first right) spikes the ball past Minnesota's Katie Myers (left) and Melani Shaffmaster in the first set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota's Jenna Wenass (left) tries to block a shot from Nebraska's Riley Zuhn (right) in the third set on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Minnesota assistant coach Matt Houk (right) speaks to his team before taking on Nebraska on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska players celebrate their three-set sweep over Minnesota on Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
Brent Wagner
Husker volleyball/women's basketball reporter
Brent has worked at the Journal Star for 14 years. His beats include Nebraska volleyball, women's basketball and high school soccer and cross country.
