Youth is served as freshmen continue to sparkle for top-ranked Nebraska

By Joey Johnson for VolleyballMag.com

TAMPA — When the season began, top-ranked Nebraska featured five freshmen, most of whom were expected to play key roles.

“I feel like that (being doubted) is understandable with five freshmen coming in,’’ said one them, outside hitter Harper Murray.. “I can see why people feel that way, but I think that’s what drives all of us. We want to prove people wrong. It doesn’t matter how old we are.’’

She was right.

Nebraska’s freshmen showed up big Thursday night in the NCAA Tournament’s national semifinals as the Huskers swept Pittsburgh Panthers 25-20, 25-23, 25-17 in Amalie Arena.

Murray showed up most significantly, registering a team-high 13 kills, hitting .273 on a night when percentrages were low for both teams. That included back-to-back kills that pulled Nebraska to the deciding point in the second set. She also contributed five digs and two block assists.

Meanwhile, setter Bergen Reilly had 31 assists and three digs, while middle blocker Andi Jackson had five kills and three block assists.

“I think they’re all super competitors,’’ said Nebraska coach John…