No. 10 Nebraska plays its first Big Ten volleyball match against fifth-ranked Penn State on Wednesday night in Lincoln.

The Cornhuskers have won 11 of 17 matches in a rivalry that has heated up because of the programs' nine NCAA tournament meetings. The last six have come in regional finals or later, most recently in 2008.

While Nebraska coach John Cook says this is a match fans have been waiting for, Penn State coach Russ Rose said it has the same value as any of the other Big Ten match.

The four-time defending national champion Nittany Lions are 7-3 and off to their worst start since 1989. They have 13 freshmen or sophomores and just two seniors.

The Huskers are 7-1, with their only loss at Colorado State.