The 2026 season has proven to be a whirlwind for the No. 16 Penn State Nittany Lions, who currently hold a record of 9-3. The team has celebrated notable victories, including a triumph over the No. 13 Stanford Cardinal and a hard-fought match against conference rival Michigan in Ann Arbor. However, the squad is actively seeking to cultivate stability as they advance through their conference games.
This Thursday, Penn State faces a significant challenge as they host the top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at 7 p.m., a match set to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. The Nittany Lions will also welcome the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday at the same time.
A win over Nebraska could provide a much-needed boost for the Nittany Lions, especially after recent matches did not go as planned. One such instance was their four-set loss to Michigan State, where despite an impressive performance from Kennedy Martin, who secured 19 kills, and Danielle Whitmire, who delivered 24 assists, the team struggled to recover after dropping the initial sets.
This season, the Nittany Lions have grappled with starting matches sluggishly. In a previous encounter against No. 11 Tennessee on September 20, they found themselves down 2-0 before managing to claim a set. Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley acknowledges that it will be tough for her team to win matches while facing such deficits early on.
As they prepare for the game against Nebraska, the focus is on making an immediate impact and harnessing the lively atmosphere at Rec Hall.
Nebraska Overview
Entering Thursday’s match undefeated, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have maintained a stellar record with six victories against ranked opponents this season. After a disappointing finish in the Elite Eight against Texas A&M last year, Nebraska aims to reclaim their title as they contend once again on a national scale.
Under the leadership of Coach Dani Busboom-Kelly, the Cornhuskers feature an exceptionally skilled roster, with 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year Bergen Reilly making a significant impact. Reilly recently amassed 31 assists and four kills in Nebraska’s recent successful sweep over Ohio State.
Additionally, middle blocker Andi Jackson is recognized as a formidable presence at the net, making her one of the top blockers in the conference.
Given both teams’ capabilities, this match is anticipated to be closely contested, hinging on which side can minimize mistakes. If the Nittany Lions can seize momentum early, there lies potential for an upset against their conference adversaries.
Iowa Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter this week with a commendable record of 12-4, having split their two recent conference matches with a loss to Ohio State and a win against Rutgers this past week. Iowa will also take on Maryland on Thursday.
Coach Jim Barnes, who guided the Hawkeyes to their most successful season in nearly ten years in 2025, seeks to build on their strong performance to start the 2026 season with aspirations for another victory in Happy Valley.
Iowa is coming off a decisive three-set victory over Rutgers, buoyed by Hannah Whittingstall, Liv Mogridge, and Rosa Vesty, each contributing ten kills. Setter Jenna Meitzler played a key role in the offensive effort, delivering 39 assists during the match.
With home-court advantage on their side, the Nittany Lions aim to leverage their 6-1 record at Rec Hall. Securing consecutive conference wins, particularly against Nebraska, could be pivotal for Penn State as they navigate the demanding stretch of Big Ten competition ahead.
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