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Lincoln - Sophomore Laura Pilakowski's career-high 25 kills propelled sixth-ranked Nebraska to a 7-15, 15-7, 15-13, 15-13 win over 13th-ranked Colorado State in the championship match of the US Bank Invitational in front of a crowd of 3,987 fans at the NU Coliseum Saturday evening. With the win, Nebraska improves to 3-0 on the season, while the Rams (4-1) saw their four-match win streak come to an end. The Rams entered the US Bank Tournament after winning the State Farm/NACWAA Classic that included a win over No. 1-ranked UCLA.
Pilakowski, a sophomore from Columbus, Neb., broke her previous match high of nine kills, set in a three-game win over Northwestern Friday evening and totaled 41 kills and hit .369 in this weekend's match en route to tournament MVP honors.
"We knew we could play together and work well as a team because of everything we learned this summer on our trip to China." Pilakowski said. "I was confident in myself and in the team."
Nebraska overcame a first-game loss and trailed in every game, including the fourth game where the Rams jumped out to a 9-1 lead. A trio of Husker joined Pilakowski on the all-tourament team, including senior Angie Oxley (Ogallala, Neb.) who became just the third player since 1995 to record a triple double, finishing with 15 kills, 12 digs and 10 block assists. On the weekend, she totaled 23 kills and hit .309.
Amber Holmquist recorded 11 kills in the win, her third-straight double-kill performance. Joining Holmquist and Pilakowski on the all-tournament team was NU setter Greichaly Cepero, who notched a career-best 61 assists against Colorado State. In her first weekend as Nebraska's starting setter, Cepero recorded 117 kills, leading the Huskers for a .300 hitting percentage for the tournament.
Husker middle blocker Jenny Kropp (Grand Island) led the defensive charge, tying an NU Coliseum record for block assists in a four-game match with 12.
Courtney Cox led Colorado State with 30 kills on 70 attempts, both Mountain West Conference and CSU records. The Huskers conclude a four-match homestand on Monday, Sept. 4, with a 2 p.m. match against Oral Roberts at the NU Coliseum.
US Bank All-Tounament Team
Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska (MVP)
Amber Holmquist, Nebraska
Angie Oxley, Nebraska
Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska
Angela Knopf, Colorado State
Courtney Cox, Colorado State
Kristina Swartzendruber, Colorado State