Biggest matches? Who got a break? The toughest stretches?
The Big Ten has finally released its league volleyball schedule. Some Big Ten members had already unveiled their non-conference slates, but we now know who each team will play this season.
The Big Ten’s 10-week, 20-match schedule begins in late September and wraps Thanksgiving weekend. The Big Ten made the schedules fairly even: No team will play more than three of the top six finishers from last season (Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Ohio State, Wisconsin) in home-and-home series.
Before breaking down each team’s schedule, first a look at the five most intriguing B1G matches:
No. 1: Nebraska at Wisconsin, Nov. 24
These two teams have finished at the top of the league in three of the last four seasons (the exception came in 2020 when the Huskers finished third by half a game). Wisconsin has won each league title during that span, but the margin has been thin. This matchup is in the last week of a season in which the Badgers are loaded up for a fifth straight title and NU goes for its first since 2017.
No. 2: Minnesota at Wisconsin, Oct. 29
Unfortunately, these two border rivals only play once. when the Gophers will travel to Madison for a Sunday-afternoon matchup. They split last year, with Minnesota earning a sweep in Minneapolis and Wisconsin taking a four-set victory on its home court. Carter Booth, who earned All-Big Ten honors with Minnesota last year, will be on the opposite side of the net this year.
No. 3: Penn State at Ohio State, Nov. 24
This is the season finale for Penn State and will also be the return of former Ohio State setter Mac Podraza to Columbus. By then, the Nittany Lions should have time to integrate all of the transfers into the system and could be in contention for a league title. The Buckeyes went with a youth movement and lost a handful of fifth-year players to the transfer portal, but Emily Londot and OSU will be looking forward to facing off against Podraza.
No. 4: Nebraska at Purdue, Sept. 29
This one is a battle of the young guns. The Boilermakers feature the reigning freshman of the year in Eva Hudson and one of the top recruits in the country in outside hitter Chloe Chicoine, plus Nebraska native Grace Heaney. The Huskers will likely play several freshmen in its top-rated recruiting class, including No. 1 prospect Harper Murray. Fellow freshmen setter Bergen Reilly, middle blocker Andi Jackson and defensive specialist Laney…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Volleyballmag.com…