Nebraska celebrates a kill in the third set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
After a 4-0 start to the Big Ten season, the Nebraska volleyball team has moved up to No. 10 in the AVCA rankings.
Nebraska (10-3) returned to the top 10 for the first time in three weeks following sweeps against Michigan (Friday) and Michigan State (Sunday).
Nebraska has a big match on Friday at No. 13 Penn State (11-3) in a matchup of the teams tied for first in the Big Ten standings.
Nebraska and Penn State did not play last season after the matches were canceled due to COVID-19 issues for Penn State. Nebraska has won two straight in the series. Each of the past four matches in the series has gone five sets.
There are four Big Ten teams ranked in the top eight of the poll — Wisconsin (fourth), Purdue (sixth), Ohio State (seventh), Minnesota (eighth) – but they each have at least one league loss. Ohio State is 2-2 in the league, with losses against Purdue and Penn State.
Texas is still No. 1 in the poll, followed by Pittsburgh and Louisville.
Creighton (15-2) is 19th.
Photos: Nebraska sweeps Michigan State to stay unbeaten in Big Ten play
Nebraska celebrates a kill by Madi Kubik (10) against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Keonilei Akana serves in the first set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins goes for a kill in the first set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Lexi Rodriguez dives for a ball just out of her reach in the first set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins celebrates a point in the second set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause goes for a kill in the first set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska celebrates a wild kill by Lexi Sun (11) in the third set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Keonilei Akana returns a serve from Michigan State in the first set on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska football recurit Tausili Akana (center) claps for the Huskers after their first-set win against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Lexi Sun serves the ball in the third set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey (3) reacts after losing a point in the second set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Michigan State’s Celia Cullen celebrates a point in the second set against Nebraska on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Nicklin Hames (1) and Lauren Stivrins (26) just miss a block in the second set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey (3) celebrates a kill against Michigan State in the first set on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska players react while watching a replay as the referee reviews a challenged call by Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey (3) spikes the ball past Michigan State’s Naya Gros (17) on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Madi Kubik returns a Michigan State serve in the first set on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Kenzie Knuckles bumps the ball back into the court in the first set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Kayla Caffey (left) dives for a ball in the third set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska’s Anni Evans prepares to serve against Michigan State in the second set on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Nebraska celebrates a kill in the third set against Michigan State on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
The Nebraska 2000 National Championship Team is honored between the second and third sets on Sunday at Devaney Sports Center.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner.
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