Huskers Sweep Red Raiders

Lincoln ? Senior outside hitter Anna Schrad hammered 12 kills to go with a match-high 11 digs Saturday night before a crowd of 4,062 at the NU Coliseum, as the seventh-ranked Nebraska volleyball team swept Texas Tech 30-18, 30-27, 30-17.

 

The Huskers (12-1 overall, 4-0 Big 12 Conference) overcame a six-point deficit in the second game to win in three games for the sixth straight time against the Red Raiders (8-5, 0-4). NU has won 18 of 19 all-time match against Texas Tech. With the victory, Nebraska extended its streak of victories against conference teams to 75 straight, including 40 consecutive Big 12 matches at home.

 

Nebraska hit .362 for the match, its second-highest figure of the season, trailing only the .443 percentage at which the Huskers hit Wednesday in a sweep of Iowa State.

 

Junior outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua was the most-efficient Husker, swinging at a .476 clip with 12 kills on 21 chances. Saleaumua matched Schrad with 12 kills. Freshman middle blocker Christina Houghtelling had eight kills and hit .462 to go with a match-high four block assists. Junior right-side hitter Ally Rebholz also pounded eight kills. Freshman right-side hitter Kelsey Fautsch and sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer had five kills apiece.

 

Freshman libero Amanda McCormick made her debut at the NU Coliseum Saturday. McCormick played in three matches to start the season before suffering an injury to her left elbow. She returned Wednesday to play in one game against Iowa State. In two games against Texas Tech, McCormick recorded eight digs.

 

For the Red Raiders, freshman outside hitter Kiley Lyons had 10 kills and 10 digs, but she hit just .036. Junior outside hitter Kelly Johnson added nine kills and three service aces. Nebraska held Texas Tech to .105 hitting.

 

The Huskers breezed to a 30-18 win in game one. Saleaumua produced five early kills to help Nebraska jump to a 12-6 lead. Texas Tech cut the lead to five when Lyons came up with a kill, but the Red Raiders never got closer. Nebraska hit .410 during the game, led by Saleaumau's .833 mark. Houghtelling, Rebholz and Schrad each recorded at least two kills and hit over .400.

 

Texas Tech responded in game two, and the score was tied six times before NU took at 16-14 lead. Nebraska's advantage was short-lived. Johnson served seven straight points, including two service aces, to give Tech a 21-16 lead.

 

After an NU timeout, Rebholz slammed a kill to stop the run. But Tech's Breanna Pursley slammed a kill on the next rally. The Huskers mounted a 7-0 a run to end the game, with freshman setter Dani Busboom serving the final six points. NU trailed until Schrad tied the score at 27 with a kill. Fautsch had a hand in back-to-back blocks to force a game-point situation. On game point, an attack by Lyons sailed wide to seal it for Nebraska.

 

The Huskers were never seriously threatened in game three. Five NU freshmen played together for several points late in the match. Nebraska opened a large lead with a 10-1 run wrapped up the win on a kill by Schrad.

 

Nebraska returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 1, when it plays host to Colorado at 7 p.m. The match will be televised live statewide by NETV. A live video stream will be available on the web at Huskers.com on HuskersNside. The match can also be heard live on selected Pinnacle Sports Network affiliates.