Huskers Add Two More Wins at Wildcat Spring Challenge

Tucson, Ariz. - The No. 15 Nebraska sand volleyball team won its first two matches at the Wildcat Spring Challenge on Friday.

The Huskers (5-2) showed great resolve in defeating Cal State Northridge, 4-1, before ending the night with a 5-0 sweep against Boise State.

Against Northridge (2-6), the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 teams took the sand first, and the Huskers dropped the first set in each of the three matches. However, each NU team rallied to win both sets two and three to give the Huskers all three team points and clinch the victory. Kira Larson/Amber Rolfzen beat Julie Hoake/Nicolette Pinkney 19-21, 21-16, 15-10. Cecilia Hall and Annika Albrecht topped Alia Casino/Nada Dragovic 19-21, 21-11, 15-9. Melanie Keil and Kelsey Fien defeated Cieana Stinson/Stephanie Serna 20-22, 21-11, 15-12.

The Huskers also picked up a win at No. 2 when Kadie Rolfzen and Kelly Hunter beat Mahina Haina/Katie Sato 21-12, 21-6. The Huskers' only loss was at No. 1, as Justine Wong-Orantes and Alicia Ostrander fell to Casey Hinger/Kelcie Randazzo, 18-21, 21-13, 10-15. Playing an exhibition, Alexa Ethridge and Fien teamed up to win 21-14, 21-7 against Lauren Conati and Brianna Johnson.

In the nightcap against Boise State (0-5), the Huskers rolled to their second sweep of the season with the five lineup pairs remaining the same. All five Husker pairs won in straight sets. Ethridge teamed with Keil to win another exhibition match in three sets.

The Huskers and No. 11 Arizona hit the sand at 11 a.m. (CT) on Saturday. With only one more match remaining against Arizona on Saturday the Huskers have already clinched their best winning percentage in the third year of the program. The Huskers were 4-5 in their 2013 inaugural season and 3-2 last season.

Nebraska 4, Cal State Northridge 1
1. Casey Hinger/Kelcie Randazzo (CSUN) def. Justine Wong-Orantes/Alicia Ostrander (NEB) 21-18, 13-21, 15-10
2. Kadie Rolfzen/Kelly Hunter (NEB) def Mahina Haina/Katie Sato (CSUN) 21-12, 21-6
3. Amber Rolfzen/Kira Larson (NEB) def. Julie Hoake/Nicolette Pinkney (CSUN) 19-21, 21-16, 15-10
4. Cecilia Hall/Annika Albrecht (NEB) def. Alia Casino/Nada Dragovic (CSUN) 19-21, 21-11, 15-9
5. Melanie Keil/Kelsey Fien (NEB) def. Cieana Stinson/Stephanie Serna (CSUN) 20-22, 21-11, 15-12
6. (Exh.) Alexa Ethridge/Kelsey Fien (NEB) def. Lauren Conati/Brianna Johnson (CSUN) 21-14, 21-7

Nebraska 5, Boise State 0
1. Justine Wong-Orantes/Alicia Ostrander (NEB) def. Maddie O’Donnell/Hannah Hubbard 21-13, 21-18
2. Kadie Rolfzen/Kelly Hunter (NEB) def. Sierra Nobley/Sara Baugh 21-17, 21-17
3. Amber Rolfzen/Kira Larson (NEB) def. Katelyn Kinghorn/Aly Duffin 21-19, 21-12
4. Cecilia Hall/Annika Albrecht (NEB) def. Maddie Osburn/Kaitlyn Oliver 21-5, 21-17
5. Melanie Keil/Kelsey Fien (NEB) def. Taylor Murphey/Laney Hayes 22-20, 21-12
6. (Exh.) Alexa Ethridge/Melanie Keil (NEB) def.Maddie Osburn/Jaymee-lee Bulda 22-20, 18-21, 15-13