Behrends Leads Nebraska to Sweep of No. 25 Missouri

Columbia, Mo. -- Kim Behrends had a career night to lead the top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team to a 15-7, 15-4, 15-11 win over No. 25 Missouri Wednesday night before a MU-record 2,009 fans at the Hearnes Center.

Behrends, a senior outside hitter, surpassed her previous career-best kill total midway through the second game and finished the match with a new career-best 14 kills, hitting .379 to help NU improve its 2000 record to 20-0 overall and 12-0 in the Big 12 Conference. Behrends bettered her previous mark of 12 kills set at Penn State Aug. 28, 1999.

"I just felt really relaxed and really comfortable out there tonight," Behrends said. "Greicha (Cepero) was giving me great sets, and we were passing well. Everything was just clicking.

The match, which marked the just the fourth time this season that Behrends has led the Huskers in kills, was Nebraska's 16th sweep of the season and its 10th sweep of a league opponent. With the win, Nebraska improved to 55-2 all-time when competing as the nation's No. 1 team. The Huskers also upped their series advantage over the Tigers to 52-2-1. MU has not beaten Nebraska since the 1982 season.

Sophomore outside hitter Laura Pilakowski added 10 kills for Nebraska, and sophomore setter Greichaly Cepero totaled 35 assists and eight digs while leading the Huskers to a .346 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Jenny Kropp posted a match-high eight blocks.

Lisa Morris matched Behrends with 14 kills for Missouri, which fell to17-4 overall and 8-4 in the conference. The loss was MU's first of the season in the Hearnes Center.

The Huskers return to action Saturday when they play host to Kansas in a 7 p.m. match at the NU Coliseum in Lincoln.