Cepero Leads Nebraska to Sweep at Missouri

Senior setter Greichaly Cepero produced 40 assists, nine kills, nine digs and three blocks to lead the No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team to a 30-21, 30-27, 30-25, win over Missouri at the Hearnes Center. With the win, Nebraska extended its streak of regular-season wins over Big 12 teams to 69, and it also moved one step closer to securing its third straight undefeated mark in conference play. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The Huskers, 27-1 overall and 19-0 in the league, conclude regular-season play Saturday against Kansas State.

 

"I was very pleased with our effort tonight," NU Coach John Cook said. "Mentally, I like how we came out and executed at a very high level. Last year, we got out-blocked here, and I challenged the Huskers to come out and win the blocking battle, and they did that."

 

Senior middle blocker Amber Holmquist led four players who had at least three blocks, as NU out-blocked Missouri 12-0 and held the Tigers to a .166 hitting percentage. Holmquist posted a team-best 14 kills and five blocks.

 

NU opened a four-point advantage to a 15-9 lead in game one with back-to-back kills from Holmquist. The Huskers dominated the next several rallies and took at 20-12 lead, their largest of the match, on another kill by Holmquist. Nebraska maintained at least a seven-point lead the rest of the way and wrapped up a 30-21, first-game victory on a kill by Jennifer Saleaumua.

 

In game two, Missouri came back from a 17-14 deficit to take a one-point lead after a kill by Papillion, Neb.,  native Lindsey Hunter. Nebraska finally took control when back-to-back solo blocks Cepero and Pilakowski gave the Huskers a 26-24 advantage. Anna Schrad reeled off five more points from behind the service line, including two aces to bring NU to game point. Missouri twice held off the Huskers until Holmquist slammed a kill for the 30-27, second-game win.

 

Nebraska hit just .224 in game two after swinging for a .375 percentage in game one. However, the Huskers out-blocked Missouri, 6-0, in game two, led by four stops from Pilakowski.

 

The Huskers controlled the entire third game, never trailing after the opening minutes. Holmquist was in on a block and a kill during a four-point run that gave NU a 21-14 lead. The Huskers took a the third game, 30-25 on Holmquist's 14th kill of the match.

 

Christi Myers tallied a team-high 19 kills on a .300 hitting percentage for Missouri, which fell to 24-7 overall and 13-6 in the Big 12.

 

NU returns to action Saturday, Nov. 30, when it plays host to Kansas State at 7 p.m. The match is the Huskers' final regular-season contest, and NU will honor its senior class  and accept the 2002 Big 12 Championship trophy in a ceremony following the match.