NU Takes Big 12 Lead with Win Over Colorado

Huskers Take Big 12 Lead
Boulder, Colo. -- Nebraska claimed sole possession of the Big 12 lead Wednesday night with a, 15-10, 9-15, 15-5, 15-11 win over No. 22 Colorado in Boulder. Texas, which was tied for the Big 12 lead, fell in three games at Kansas State on Wednesday.

The Huskers used a match-high 22 kills from Nancy Meendering and a solid blocking attack to edge past a determined Buffalo squad. Nebraska dominated early, racing to a 13-0 lead in the first game, but Colorado battled the Huskers every point after, nearly sending the match to a fifth game. Meendering also notched her 1,000th career kill, reaching the milestone in 238 games, breaking the school record by Allison Weston, who reached the mark in 258 games.

Head Coach Terry Pettit was pleased with the win, despite a less than perfect effort.

"In the first game we couldn't do anything wrong," Pettit said. "But I was still concerned because we weren't as quick to the ball. I was concerned about fatigue coming into the match and I think that played a part. But sometimes you just have to find a way, on the road, to get an ugly win.

"We beat a ranked team on their court, with us not playing our best match. I think that says a lot."

No. 12 Nebraska, which notched its 20th win for the 25th straight season, got a career-high 15 kills from freshman Amber Holmquist and got solid play from junior Katie Jahnke off the bench. Jahnke subbed in for freshman Greichaly Cepero, who had four service errors through the first two games.

Angie Oxley finished with 10 kills, marking the fourth straight match she has recorded double-figure kills. She also had a season-high 20 digs, two off her career high. The Huskers hit .228 on the night, but held CU in check with .115 hitting, thanks to a solid blocking attack. NU finished with 19 blocks, as four Huskers recorded seven or more blocks. Meendering and sophomore Jenny Kropp each had eight block assists.

Colorado's Sonja Nielsen led the Buffs with 18 kills, but had 13 errors. Nine of her errors came on NU blocks as she finished with a .089 hitting percentage.

Nebraska stormed to a 13-0 lead in the first game and held off a 10-1 run from the Buffs to win the first game, 15-10. Nebraska got off to a quick start behind a solid blocking attack, recording 8.5 blocks in the first frame alone. Amber Holmquist keyed Nebraska's offensive attack with seven kills in the first frame on just 10 attacks. Meendering added six kills while Cepero and Kropp each had five blocks.

Colorado carried its momentum into the second game, overcoming a 6-5 deficit to take a 7-6 lead on a service ace from Kim Taskey. Nebraska would never regain the lead, as CU went on an 8-1 run to seal the game. The Huskers hit just .152 in the second game, while Colorado countered with a .240 percentage. Meendering continued her hot hitting with seven kills in the second frame.

In game three, Nebraska broke a 4-4 tie by scoring four unanswered points to take a 9-4 advantage. After an attack error by Meendering gave CU its fifth point, Nebraska ran the table by scoring six unanswered points, including four straight to finish the game. Holmquist chipped in four kills in the game, two coming for two of the last three points. Oxley had another five kills in the second game, while Meendering had four. The Husker offense came to life in the third game, hitting .486, while CU hit just .195.

In game four Nebraska took its first lead at 7-6 after Kropp pounded a CU overpass for a kill. NU pulled ahead 9-6 before the Buffs pulled within one at 9-8. The Huskers responded by scoring three straight points for a 12-8 advantage with McWilliams at the service line. CU pulled within one at 12-11, but Meendering served the final three points to secure the win.