Huskers set to play Kentucky in first college volleyball match of 2024

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska volleyball team announced Monday that it will play in the AVCA First Serve Showcase to start the 2024 season.

The showcase will be held Aug. 27 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Nebraska will play the first match of the primetime event, taking on Kentucky at 6 p.m.

Wisconsin will match up against Louisville in the second game of the doubleheader.

All four teams in the showcase were ranked in the top 10 in the final AVCA poll of the 2023 season.

“The AVCA is very excited to bring together four teams of this caliber to get the new season started,” AVCA CEO Jamie Gordon said. “AVCA First Serve offers another way to showcase the sport and continue the momentum from the record-setting 2023 season.”

Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Huskers played Kentucky in each of the last two seasons, sweeping the Wildcats in 2022 and beating them 3-1 in Lincoln last season.

The 2024 season will start and end in Louisville, as the national championship will be played at the KFC Yum! Center in December.

Nebraska will also make a trip to Louisville at the end of September for a nonconference matchup with the Cardinals.

AVCA First Serve marks the dawn of a new era for the association’s preseason event.

The AVCA sponsored previous early season events from 1995 to 2011.

Tickets for the showcase will go on sale Friday, June 14, at the KFC Yum! Center box office and ticketmaster.com.

There will be a presale period from June 10 to 13.