Nebraska Advances to NCAA Second Round with Sweep of Oral Robert

Manhattan, Kan. -- The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team produced a .424 hitting percentage, its second-highest mark of the season, to capture a 30-8, 30-15, 30-23, victory over Oral Roberts Friday night in first-round NCAA Tournament action at Ahearn Fieldhouse. Four Huskers swung for a .350 hitting percentage or better, led by sophomore outside hitter Anna Schrad and junior setter Greichaly Cepero. Schrad posted 10 kills and zero errors on 14 attacks (.714) to go along with a career-best five service aces, while Cepero recorded seven kills and no errors in 11 attacks (.636) to go with 24 assists, eight digs and five blocks.

The Huskers, who are appearing in their 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament, improved their overall NCAA postseason record to 48-17. NU has won 26 straight matches and will advance to Saturday's 7 p.m. second-round match to face the winner of Friday's first-round match between No. 18 Kansas State (19-7) and Arkansas (21-11). Nebraska has advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament 17 times.

Oral Roberts, the Mid-Con Conference champions, ended their 2001 season with 19-7 overall record. The Huskers out-blocked ORU 14-3, while holding Mid-Con Player of the Year Maja Kulijis to nine kills on a .121 hitting percentage.

"I thought we gave a really good effort tonight," NU Coach John Cook said. "We came out focused and ready to go. We're not messing around. There is a sense of urgency for us right now."

Nebraska led 21-7 in game one after Cepero notched her second kills of the game to give NU possession. Schrad stepped to the service line and reeled off seven straight points, including two service aces, to widen the Huskers' lead to 28-7. Schrad's next serve came up short, but ORU's Becky Brunelle's serve on the following play sailed long. Jenny Kropp slammed an ORU overpass to the floor for the 30-8 Nebraska victory.

NU swung for a scorching .700 hitting percentage in game one, as Cepero, Amber Holmquist and Schrad combined for nine kills and zero errors.

The Huskers again jumped to a quick lead in game two, taking an 11-4 advantage behind two kills from Schrad and one each from Laura Pilakowski and Nancy Metcalf. After committing a service error, the Golden Eagles pulled within three with a 5-0 run that included two ace serves by Becky Dreher. Schrad, who tallied seven kills on a .636 hitting percentage in game two, halted ORU's momentum with back-to-back kills. The Huskers opened their advantage to 26-15 and closed the second game with a 4-0 run. Cepero and Holmquist combined to block Kulijis for the 30-15 win.

In game three, Nebraska opened a four-point advantage to a 28-20 lead after Jenae Dowling reeled off four straight points from behind the service line. Oral Roberts fought back, responding with a block of Pilakowski and a kill. But Pilakowski answered with back-to-back-kills to secure the 30-23, third-game win and the match.

"I thought we let up defensively in game three," Cepero said, "but we played well tonight."