From staff reports
LOVB Austin will get a chance to defend its title.
Facing a must-win scenario on the road, Austin rallied past LOVB Nebraska in a five-set battle, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 15-10, Saturday night to clinch a spot in the LOVB playoffs.
After entering the week sitting fifth in the league standings, Austin delivered when the stakes were highest.
“Really proud of our group,” head coach Erik Sullivan said. “I love that we are just a unit right now. When we are in tough positions, we don’t shrink in those moments and go through and do what we do.”
Madisen Skinner turned in a spectacular performance, recording a league-record 34 points to earn player of the match honors and carry Austin through multiple momentum swings.
Nebraska struck first in a tightly contested opening set, using a late push to secure a 25-22 win. The home side continued to apply pressure early in the second, but Austin responded behind timely swings from Logan Eggleston.
With the set tied 24-24, Eggleston delivered in the clutch, helping Austin close out a 26-24 win to even the match.
Austin seized control in the third.
Skinner ignited the offense from multiple angles, including the back row, while Asjia O’Neal anchored the net with a key block during a decisive run. Austin’s improved defensive play helped create separation late in the set, which it closed out 25-19 to take its first lead of the night.
Taking advantage of Austin service errors, the home team built a mid-set cushion and held off a late push to win 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set with the season on the line.
That’s when Austin delivered its best stretch of the match.
After falling behind early, Austin flipped the momentum behind Skinner, who took over offensively and sparked a critical run. Austin grabbed control at the switch and never gave it back, closing out the match 15-10 to punch its postseason ticket.
Skinner finished with 34 points, including 28 kills, four blocks and two aces, leading a balanced Austin attack that totaled 69 kills and 15 blocks on the night .
Eggleston added 17 points, while O’Neal contributed 15 points with five blocks, providing a steady presence at the net. Setter Carli Lloyd directed the offense throughout, helping Austin hit efficiently in key stretches.
The win sends Austin to the LOVB semifinals as the No. 3 seed, where it will face second-seeded LOVB Atlanta in a two-match series in Louisville, Kentucky beginning April 10 at Freedom Hall. The finals are scheduled for April 18-16 in Long Beach, California.