Huskers Edged by No. 5 Hawaii, No. 4 USC

Los Angeles, Calif. – The No. 9 Nebraska sand volleyball team was edged 3-2 in a pair of matches by No. 5 Hawaii and No. 4 USC on Friday. The Huskers finished a week of competition in southern California with a 4-5 dual record.

In the first match of the day against Hawaii, the Huskers posted wins at the No. 1 and 2 positions, but could not hold on for the victory. Kelsey Robinson and Alexa Strange defeated Natasha Bell and Jane Croson 21-13, 21-16, while Morgan Broekhuis and Kadie Rolfzen added a 21-14, 21-16 win over Ginger Long and Katie Spieler. 

Amber Rolfzen and Hayley Thramer were defeated by Ali Longo and Karlee Riggs 21-18, 21-16, while Meghan Haggerty and Sheridan Zarda fell to Ashley Kastl and Tai Manu-Olevao 21-10, 21-10. Kelsey Fien and Alicia Ostrander dropped their match to Olivia Urban and Ku’ulei Zalopany 21-15, 21-16.

Moving to the second match of the day, the Huskers battled the No. 4 team in the nation to the end. Kelsey Robinson and Alexa Strange fell in a tightly-contested three-set match to Kirby Burnham and Stevi Robinson 21-16, 18-21, 17-19. 

Morgan Broekhuis and Kadie Rolfzen defeated Katie Fuller and Cinnamon Sary 32-30, 14-21, 15-9, while Amber Rolfzen and Hayley Thramer notched a 19-21, 21-16, 15-7 win over Eve Ettinger and Bria Russ to start the second round of play.

It would not be enough though, as Meghan Haggerty and Sheridan Zarda fell to Brooke Fournier and Natasa Siljkovic 21-16, 21-17, and Kelsey Fien and Alicia Ostrander dropped their match to Sam Hirschmann and Alexa Stonish 21-18, 21-12 in the first round of action. 

Hawaii 3, Nebraska 2
1.)  Kelsey Robinson-Alexa Strange (NEB) def. Natasha Bell-Jane Croson (HAW) 21-13, 21-16
2.)  Morgan Broekhuis-Kadie Rolfzen (NEB) def. Ginger Long-Katie Spieler (HAW) 21-14, 21-16
3.)  Ali Longo-Karlee Riggs (HAW) def. Amber Rolfzen-Hayley Thramer (NEB) 21-18, 21-16
4.)  Ashley Kastl-Tai Manu-Olevao (HAW) def. Meghan Haggerty-Sheridan Zarda (NEB) 21-10, 21-10
5.)  Olivia Urban-Ku?ulei Zalopany (HAW) def. Kelsey Fien-Alicia Ostrander (NEB) 21-15, 21-16
Order of finish:  4, 5, 2, 3, 1

 

USC 3, Nebraska 2
1.)  Kirby Burnham-Stevi Robinson (USC) def. Kelsey Robinson-Alexa Strange (NEB) 16-21, 21-18, 19-17
2.)  Morgan Broekhuis-Kadie Rolfzen (NEB) def. Katie Fuller-Cinnamon Sary (USC) 32-30, 14-21, 15-9
3.)  Amber Rolfzen-Hayley Thramer (NEB) def. Eve Ettinger-Bria Russ (USC) 19-21, 21-16, 15-7
4.)  Brooke Fournier-Natasa Siljkovic (USC) def. Meghan Haggerty-Sheridan Zarda (NEB) 21-16, 21-17
5.)  Sam Hirschmann-Alexa Stonish (USC) def. Kelsey Fien-Alicia Ostrander (NEB) 21-18, 21-12
Order of finish:  5, 4, 3, 1, 2