×
NCAA women’s volleyball bracket takeaways: Nebraska is the top seed

NCAA women’s volleyball bracket takeaways: Nebraska is the top seed

The regular season is over and the bracket is set. In a few weeks, women’s college volleyball will crown its next national champion in Kansas City, Missouri.

In the bracket unveiled on ESPN on Sunday night, the undefeated Nebraska Cornhuskers — to the surprise of no one — received the No. 1 overall seed. Nebraska, under first-year coach Dani Busboom Kelly, completed a 30-0 regular season campaign after getting sweeps this past weekend over Penn State and Ohio State. It’s the third time in school history — and first time since 2000 — that the Huskers have gone undefeated in a regular season.

Nebraska has only lost one set in Big Ten play and only seven in the entire regular season. Led by National Player of the Year candidate Harper Murray, the Huskers are also No. 1 in Evollve Rating, which measures the expected probability of winning a point against an average opponent and is determined by adjusting team performance for schedule strength.

Only two teams have forced Nebraska to a fifth set this season: Kentucky and Creighton. The Wildcats join the Huskers on the one-line as the third overall seed, while the Bluejays — who are riding a 20-game winning streak and went 16-0 in Big East play — are seeded No. 3 in Kentucky’s quadrant of the bracket. An Elite Eight matchup between Kentucky and Creighton could be incredibly watchable.

Louisville is the No. 2 seed in Nebraska’s corner of the bracket, which would set up a potential Elite Eight matchup between Busboom Kelly’s old squad and the one she coaches now.

Joining Nebraska and Kentucky on the one-line are Texas and Pitt.

Here are a few other takeaways from the bracket reveal…

The Big Ten looks like the best volleyball conference

In addition to Nebraska landing the No. 1 overall seed, the Big Ten made out pretty well on Selection Sunday. Six teams from the conference landed top 16 seeds, the most of any league. The ACC was second with four top 16 seeds.

The way the bracket is set up, there could be multiple intra-Big Ten matchups in the Sweet 16, including a rivalry clash between USC and UCLA.

Another ACC team could stand in Pitt’s way

Powered by reigning National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock, Pitt is a top-four seed in the college volleyball tournament for the fifth straight year. Winners of five straight and owners of a 26-4 overall record, Pitt is eyeing what would be its fifth consecutive trip to the Final Four.

But standing in the Panthers’ way could be another strong ACC opponent in No. 2 SMU, the fifth overall seed. Pitt did beat the Mustangs twice in the regular season, 3-2 and 3-1, but SMU has won nine in a row and also owns wins this season over Stanford, Louisville, Miami, Texas A&M and Baylor.

Beating a team three times in one season is often difficult.

Interesting potential second round matchup: Wisconsin vs. North Carolina

The Badgers landed the No. 3 seed in Texas’ quadrant. Wisconsin has won nine straight games and ranks seventh nationally in Evollve Rating. The Badgers are also second nationally in assists per set with 13.9.

To set up what could be an entertaining second-round matchup, Wisconsin will have to top Eastern Illinois, and North Carolina has to defeat No. 6 UTEP.

While the Tar Heels were one of the last four teams to crack the field, they do own some impressive wins this season, notching victories over Florida, SMU and Georgia Tech. Jackie Taylor leads UNC in service aces and blocks this season, and ranks eighth nationally in block assists with 142.

Elsewhere in the bracket, TCU vs. Texas A&M, Miami vs. Kansas, and Baylor vs. Purdue are among the other intriguing potential matchups in the second round.

Source link
#NCAA #womens #volleyball #bracket #takeaways #Nebraska #top #seed

Deadspin | NHL roundup: Flyers win Game 1 of in-state playoff series vs. Penguins  Apr 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) celebrates his goal with the Flyers bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Porter Martone scored a timely goal late for the Philadelphia Flyers, who skated away with a 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven, first-round playoff series on Saturday night.  Martone, a 19-year-old playing in his 10th NHL game, scored an insurance goal to make it 3-1 with 2:37 left in the Battle of Pennsylvania rivalry series. That proved crucial when the Penguins’ Bryan Rust found the net with 1:01 left.  Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale also scored for Philadelphia in the franchise’s first playoff game in six years. The Flyers got 15 saves from Dan Vladar in his playoff debut, including one on a point-blank shot from Anthony Mantha in the closing seconds.  Evgeni Malkin scored his 68th postseason goal for the Penguins and assisted on Rust’s goal. Stuart Skinner made 17 saves. Game 2 is Monday in Pittsburgh.    Wild 6, Stars 1  Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist for visiting Minnesota in a win against Dallas in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.   Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice, Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist and Mats Zuccarello had three assists for the Wild, who are trying to win their first playoff series since 2015 after getting eliminated in the opening round eight times since then. Rookie Jesper Wallstedt got the start and made 27 saves.  Jason Robertson scored and Jake Oettinger made 23 saves for Dallas, which lost Game 1 of its first-round series 5-1 against the Colorado Avalanche last season before rebounding and eventually reaching the Western Conference finals. Game 2 is Monday in Dallas.  Hurricanes 2, Senators 0  Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as Carolina overcame a slow start to defeat Ottawa in the opener of the first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.  Andersen recorded his sixth career playoff shutout after not having any in 35 regular-season starts this season. Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake had two assists for the Hurricanes.  Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who saw 13 of their 22 shots on goal come in the third period but were unable to get on the board, even with a late power-play opportunity. Game 2 is Monday in Raleigh.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Flyers #win #Game #instate #playoff #series #PenguinsApr 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) celebrates his goal with the Flyers bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Porter Martone scored a timely goal late for the Philadelphia Flyers, who skated away with a 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven, first-round playoff series on Saturday night.

Martone, a 19-year-old playing in his 10th NHL game, scored an insurance goal to make it 3-1 with 2:37 left in the Battle of Pennsylvania rivalry series. That proved crucial when the Penguins’ Bryan Rust found the net with 1:01 left.

Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale also scored for Philadelphia in the franchise’s first playoff game in six years. The Flyers got 15 saves from Dan Vladar in his playoff debut, including one on a point-blank shot from Anthony Mantha in the closing seconds.

Evgeni Malkin scored his 68th postseason goal for the Penguins and assisted on Rust’s goal. Stuart Skinner made 17 saves. Game 2 is Monday in Pittsburgh.

Wild 6, Stars 1


Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist for visiting Minnesota in a win against Dallas in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice, Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist and Mats Zuccarello had three assists for the Wild, who are trying to win their first playoff series since 2015 after getting eliminated in the opening round eight times since then. Rookie Jesper Wallstedt got the start and made 27 saves.

Jason Robertson scored and Jake Oettinger made 23 saves for Dallas, which lost Game 1 of its first-round series 5-1 against the Colorado Avalanche last season before rebounding and eventually reaching the Western Conference finals. Game 2 is Monday in Dallas.

Hurricanes 2, Senators 0

Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as Carolina overcame a slow start to defeat Ottawa in the opener of the first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.

Andersen recorded his sixth career playoff shutout after not having any in 35 regular-season starts this season. Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake had two assists for the Hurricanes.

Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who saw 13 of their 22 shots on goal come in the third period but were unable to get on the board, even with a late power-play opportunity. Game 2 is Monday in Raleigh.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Flyers #win #Game #instate #playoff #series #Penguins">Deadspin | NHL roundup: Flyers win Game 1 of in-state playoff series vs. Penguins  Apr 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) celebrates his goal with the Flyers bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Porter Martone scored a timely goal late for the Philadelphia Flyers, who skated away with a 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven, first-round playoff series on Saturday night.  Martone, a 19-year-old playing in his 10th NHL game, scored an insurance goal to make it 3-1 with 2:37 left in the Battle of Pennsylvania rivalry series. That proved crucial when the Penguins’ Bryan Rust found the net with 1:01 left.  Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale also scored for Philadelphia in the franchise’s first playoff game in six years. The Flyers got 15 saves from Dan Vladar in his playoff debut, including one on a point-blank shot from Anthony Mantha in the closing seconds.  Evgeni Malkin scored his 68th postseason goal for the Penguins and assisted on Rust’s goal. Stuart Skinner made 17 saves. Game 2 is Monday in Pittsburgh.    Wild 6, Stars 1  Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist for visiting Minnesota in a win against Dallas in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.   Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice, Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist and Mats Zuccarello had three assists for the Wild, who are trying to win their first playoff series since 2015 after getting eliminated in the opening round eight times since then. Rookie Jesper Wallstedt got the start and made 27 saves.  Jason Robertson scored and Jake Oettinger made 23 saves for Dallas, which lost Game 1 of its first-round series 5-1 against the Colorado Avalanche last season before rebounding and eventually reaching the Western Conference finals. Game 2 is Monday in Dallas.  Hurricanes 2, Senators 0  Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as Carolina overcame a slow start to defeat Ottawa in the opener of the first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.  Andersen recorded his sixth career playoff shutout after not having any in 35 regular-season starts this season. Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake had two assists for the Hurricanes.  Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who saw 13 of their 22 shots on goal come in the third period but were unable to get on the board, even with a late power-play opportunity. Game 2 is Monday in Raleigh.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Flyers #win #Game #instate #playoff #series #Penguins

Kolkata Knight Riders will look to end its winless run when it hosts Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

KKR comes into the game on the back of a defeat to Gujarat Titans, while the Royals return to action after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their winning start to the season.

Here is the head-to-head record between the two sides in the IPL:

KKR vs RR head-to-head record

Matches played: 31

KKR won: 16

RR won: 12

Tied: 2

No Result: 1

MOST RUNS IN KKR vs RR IPL MATCHES

Batter Innings Runs Average Strike Rate HS
Sanju Samson 17 413 27.53 121.47 54
Jos Buttler 10 393 49.12 146.67 107*
Ajinkya Rahane 15 386 25.73 122.53 72
Shane Watson 10 304 33.77 140.74 104*
Yusuf Pathan 12 292 32.44 143.13 55

MOST WICKETS IN KKR vs RR IPL MATCHES

Bowler Innings Wickets Economy Average BBI
Sunil Narine 20 14 7.11 39.64 2/21
Shivam Mavi 8 13 7.25 17.38 4/21
Varun Chakaravarthy 9 13 7.09 18 2/17
Yuzvendra Chahal 4 10 9.37 15.4 5/40
Shakib Al Hasan 7 10 6.16 15.4 3/17

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#KKR #headtohead #record #IPL #Kolkata #Knight #Riders #Rajasthan #Royals #stats #runs #wickets">KKR vs RR head-to-head record, IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals overall stats; most runs, wickets  Kolkata Knight Riders will look to end its winless run when it hosts Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.KKR comes into the game on the back of a defeat to Gujarat Titans, while the Royals return to action after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their winning start to the season.Here is the head-to-head record between the two sides in the IPL:
KKR vs RR head-to-head record

Matches played: 31

KKR won: 16

RR won: 12

Tied: 2

No Result: 1
MOST RUNS IN KKR vs RR IPL MATCHES  Batter  Innings  Runs  Average  Strike Rate  HS  Sanju Samson  17  413  27.53  121.47  54  Jos Buttler  10  393  49.12  146.67  107*  Ajinkya Rahane  15  386  25.73  122.53  72  Shane Watson  10  304  33.77  140.74  104*  Yusuf Pathan  12  292  32.44  143.13  55MOST WICKETS IN KKR vs RR IPL MATCHES  Bowler   Innings  Wickets  Economy  Average  BBI  Sunil Narine  20  14  7.11  39.64  2/21  Shivam Mavi  8  13  7.25  17.38  4/21  Varun Chakaravarthy  9  13  7.09  18  2/17  Yuzvendra Chahal  4  10  9.37  15.4  5/40  Shakib Al Hasan  7  10  6.16  15.4  3/17Published on Apr 19, 2026  #KKR #headtohead #record #IPL #Kolkata #Knight #Riders #Rajasthan #Royals #stats #runs #wickets

Post Comment