Nebraska Sweeps Sooners

Huskers Sweep Sooners
Norman, Okla. -- The 12th-ranked Huskers improved to 22-5 and 14-3 in the Big 12 Conference with an 18-16, 15-5, 15-6 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at the OU Fieldhouse in Norman, Okla.

Nancy Meendering had a dominant performance for the Huskers, pounding a match-high 17 kills, including 10 in the first game to lead the Huskers. Nebraska also used nine service aces to storm past the Sooners.

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

"I'm always glad to get out of here with a win," Pettit said. "It's a very difficult place to play. It's the darkest place we play and it's very drafty, which does weird things to the ball. Our leftsides struggled tonight, but part of that was due to setting and not getting in rhythm."

The Huskers got a solid performance from junior Katie Jahnke who came off the bench in place of freshman Greichaly Cepero in the first game. Jahnke finished with four kills on 10 attacks and also chipped in two blocks.

"Katie had a great week of practice and that showed tonight," Pettit said. "I like having Katie come off the bench because she can play two positions. She helped us get in system."

Freshman Amber Holmquist also played a major role in the win, pouring in eight kills on 11 attacks for a career-high .727 hitting percentage.

The Huskers overcame a slow start in the first game after Oklahoma stormed to a 9-3 lead. But the Husker chipped away and pulled within two at 10-12, before scoring three consecutive points to take a 13-12 lead. After pulling ahead 14-12, OU held off two game points and tied the match at 15. An NU hitting error gave the Soones a 16-15 lead. Nebraska took its final lead on a McWilliams service ace before OU's Chantae Weathers hit long to end the game. Meendering poured in 10 kills in the first frame on 21 attacks. The Huskers were held to .213 hitting, while Oklahoma hit at a .241 clip.

Nebraska carried its momentum into the second game, racing to a 7-0 lead. Oklahoma narrowed the gap to 7-4, but Nebraska closed the game on a 8-1 run. NU finished the match with a pair of service aces from aces from Mandy Monson. Holmquist carried the offense in the second game, dropping six kills on nine attacks for a .667 percentage. Nebraska hit .333 in the third game, while the Huskers held OU to .161 hitting.

It was all Nebraska in the third game as the Huskers rolled to an easy 15-6 win. Nebraska only hit .136 in the final frame, but the Sooners struggled with a negative .103 percentage.