MADISON, Wis. — For the record, the scoreboard read 28-28 in game four. It didn’t matter.

While everyone else inside of the UW Field House, and a good number of fans back home, were sweating out the fact that Nebraska, a team that a week ago was called one of the best in collegiate history, was two points from its season ending, the Huskers were thinking only about a pink hat.

It’s a gift from Karch Kiraly, the volleyball legend who when asked how he prepared to win the Olympic gold medal, said he never did. His only focus was on the next play.

When Nebraska broke the huddle tied 28-28 with Michigan State, Kiraly’s words — and the symbolic hat clutched by freshman redshirt Brooke Delano — were the focus. Jordan Larson, knowing she was about to make the biggest pass of a volleyball career filled with millions of them, turned and hugged first Kayla Banwarth and then Christina Houghtelling.

What followed was a perfect Larson pass, a perfect Rachel Holloway set and a picture-perfect kill by Tracy Stalls. The Huskers were hugging again, this time with the lead and a chance to extend their season to a game five. Houghtelling followed with an ace, and Nebraska completed another memorable comeback in the NCAA Tournament.

“It goes back to a good meeting we had before ever starting the tournament,” Larson said. “We knew we would have adversity, but would we freak out like we did at Texas, or would we just do what we’ve got to do?

“Every point, that’s what it comes down to.”

The No. 2 Huskers rallied from a two-games-to-none deficit for the 12th time in school history, beating No. 24 Michigan State 25-30, 28-30, 30-17, 30-28, 15-9, and thrilling a mostly neutral crowd of 3,600.

NU coach John Cook said as much as any physical adjustments, it was a change in mentality that allowed the Huskers to finally slow Michigan State outside hitters Ashley Schatzle and Katie Johnson and get back into the match.

Nebraska’s first block didn’t come until game two, and its first real surge of momentum until game three, when Houghtelling came up with back-to-back blocks, and freshman Banwarth served an ace in a key run.

If Nebraska goes on to win the national title, the Huskers will reflect on Larson’s quick hands that allowed her to pancake a Michigan State serve, that had it hit the floor, would have put the upset-minded Spartans (21-14) up 26-25 in game four.

“We needed to capitalize at that moment. That’s where we had to push it over,” said Michigan State coach Cathy George, “because going the distance was not what we wanted.”

In game five, Nebraska (30-1) dominated, jumping to a 7-2 lead behind three quick blocks from Sarah Pavan and three kills from Kori Cooper.

Larson’s 20th kill was the clincher, capping Nebraska’s second wild comeback in two stressful postseasons.

“We know we have it in us,” Cook said. “But sometimes, an opponent has to bring it out of us.”

It was only a year ago when the Huskers, trailing Minnesota by two games in the Gainesville Regional final, pulled through after an inspirational message from Stalls.

Stalls was at it again Friday, speaking this time as a senior with her college career at the breaking point.

“When you’re a senior in the tournament, that definitely goes through your head,” Pavan said. “This group has so much left that we didn’t bring tonight that we can bring tomorrow.”

In three decades of volleyball, only a handful of teams have successfully defending their NCAA title, and now you know why.

The Huskers, with their five All-Americans and two players of the year, nearly had their season sour in the Sweet 16. Now, the focus turns to a showdown with No. 6 California, which had a much easier time in eliminating Iowa State 30-27, 30-27, 30-24 Friday.

Cook expects the Huskers to be ready.

“Any time you go through a five-gamer like that, it gives you confidence,” he said. “This was great for us.”

Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.