The Sanford Pentagon was absolutely electric on Friday night, and #13 Creighton Bluejays delivered a statement performance to open the 2026 season. In a battle of top-20 heavyweights at the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, Creighton flexed its muscle and composure, taking down #20 USC in four thrilling sets (25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19). This wasn't just a season-opening win; it was a declaration that the Bluejays are on a mission this fall.
From the opening serve, the Bluejays looked locked in. The sell-out crowd of 4,250 brought the noise, and Creighton fed off that energy like a home crowd in Omaha. The first set set the tone - clean passing, aggressive serves, and an offense that moved the ball around like a chess master. When USC tried to punch back and steal momentum in the second set, Creighton didn't blink. They just regrouped, tightened up, and slammed the door in sets three and four.
Norah Sis Puts on a Clinic, Spurs Creighton's Balanced Attack
If you were at the Pentagon or watching on B1G+, you saw a superstar take over. Norah Sis was an absolute force, hammering home a match-high 22 kills to go along with 14 digs. That stat line secured the 2025 AVCA First-Team All-American her 60th career double-double, and honestly, she made it look easy. But this was no one-woman show - the entire Creighton offense was clicking on all cylinders, posting a scorching .291 hitting percentage as a team.
📊 22 kills, 14 digs - Norah Sis recorded her 60th career double-double in the season opener
The engine behind the entire operation was setter Kendra Wait, who orchestrated the offense with a masterful 48 assists. She also chipped in 13 digs for a double-double of her own. Coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth’s game plan was clear: spread the ball, trust the hitters, and let the defense do the rest. Libero Jaci Trizode was a human vacuum cleaner with 18 digs, and the back-row defense was the difference-maker Booth highlighted after the match. "We served tough when we needed to and our defense in the back row was the difference tonight," she said.
It worked to perfection in the critical moments, with Creighton slamming down seven aces to keep the USC back row on its heels. The Bluejays looked like a team that has been here before - because they have. This veteran squad knows how to close, and they showed it in front of a national audience.
USC's Block Party Can't Overcome Trojan Serve-Receive Blues
Let's give credit where it's due: USC came to play. The Trojans' front line was an absolute nightmare at the net, with Tyrah Aro posting a massive 8 blocks (2 solo, 6 assists) and the team racking up 11 total blocks to Creighton's 6. Stanford transfer London Wijay announced her presence in a major way, leading the Trojans with 17 kills on a stellar .326 hitting percentage. On paper, they had the physicality to hang with the Bluejays.
Table: Key Player Comparisons
| Player (Team) | Kills | Digs | Blocks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norah Sis (CU) | 22 | 14 | 1 | Match-high; 60th career double-double |
| London Wijay (USC) | 17 | 4 | 1 | .326 hitting percentage |
| Kendra Wait (CU) | 2 | 13 | 0 | 48 assists for the Bluejays |
| Tyrah Aro (USC) | 7 | 1 | 8 | Led all players in blocks |
So, what went wrong? It came down to the fundamentals. Coach Brad Keller summed it up perfectly post-match: the Trojans' serve receive "let them down" in the pivotal third set. After stealing set two to tie the match at 1-1, USC's passing collapsed just enough to allow Creighton to go on runs and reclaim control. The Trojans committed 19 errors to Creighton's 18, but it was the timing of those errors that hurt most.
