Huskers Down Texas Tech

Lubbock, Texas - Fourth-ranked Nebraska avoided its first-ever 0-2 conference start by rallying from a one-game deficit, to defeat Texas Tech, 9-15, 15-11, 15-7, 15-1, in Lubbock, Texas. Nebraska, fresh off a home loss to No. 24 Kansas State, came out flat in the first game, but managed to turn up its offense down the stretch to squelch an upset-minded Texas Tech.

"It took us about a game and a half to get organized," Head Coach Terry Pettit said. "But I'm really pleased with our effort. Texas Tech played with a hell of a lot of emotion in the first game and when you do that you risk getting tired down the stretch. But at the same time, they could have used that to beat us in three."

While Nancy Meendering poured in a match-high 18 kills, it was Nebraska's bench that proved most effective. Junior outside hitter Kim Behrends added seven kills and a team-high 13 digs, while Katie Jahnke hit six key kills and added seven blocks. Sophomore Jenny Kropp added a match-high .455 hitting percentage with seven kills.

"Kropp, Behrends and Jahnke came off the bench and played great tonight," Pettit said.

After struggling offensive through the first two games, Nebraska's came to life in game three and four, hitting .289 in the third frame and .259 in the final game which saw Nebraska blitz the Red Raiders, 15-1.

The third game was a true turning point in the match, as Behrends dropped six kills, including a thundering spike off the face of Texas Tech's Colleen Smith early in the game that seemed to spark Nebraska's play.

The Huskers rallied in the second frame after trailing 5-0, and scratched its way to an 8-7 lead behind solid serving. Nebraska notched four service aces in the second game and finished the match eight. NU still struggled offensively, hitting .095 in game two, but the Husker defense stiffened up, recording five blocks to hold the Red Raiders to.083 hitting the game.

Texas Tech held the Huskers to .057 hitting in the first frame, racing out to a 8-1 advantage to open the match. The Red Raiders countered with a.303 hitting percentage and three service aces. Texas Tech extended their lead to 11-4 before the Huskers made 6-4 run to close within 14-10, before the Red Raiders closed the game on a Nebraska hitting error