Schrad Leads NU to Sweep of Tulane

<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>New Orleans, La. ? Senior outside hitter Anna Schrad pounded 13 kills and tallied a career-high seven blocks to lead the fifth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team to a 30-26, 30-23, 30-26 win against Tulane Saturday night at Fogelman Arena in the championship match of the Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic. Schrad hit .290 and also added two service aces and nine digs in the winning effort.

 

Sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer, junior right side hitter Ally Rebholz and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua each added seven kills, and all three hit over .275.

 

"We did some good things, but we're still making too many errors," NU Coach John Cook said. "Tulane was a good defense team. They were short and quick, and those are the teams we have problems with some times. It took awhile to adjust."

 

Defensively, NU out-blocked the Green Wave 13.0-8.5, led by Elmer's eight stops. Elmer was named the tournament MVP, and she was joined on the all-tournament team by Schrad and freshman Christina Houghtelling.

 

With the victory, the Huskers improved to 6-0, while Tulane fell to 5-1.

 

"I was pleased with our blocking," Cook said. "Especially with Elmer. She has got to be one of the best middle blockers in the country."

 

In game one, Tulane led, 13-12, before Houghtelling and Schrad evened the score by combining for a block. The score was tied eight more times, but NU took a 23-21 lead after back-to-back kills by Jennifer  Saleaumua and Schrad. The Huskers remained ahead for the rest of the game. A service ace by Houghtelling made it 26-23, and NU captured the 30-26 win when Rebholz drilled a kill.

 

The Huskers again found themselves in a dogfight in game two. Tulane capitalized on a series of Nebraska hitting errors to build a five-point lead. But Melissa Elmer and Rebholz blocked Kenon and sparked a 9-0 run. Saleaumua served seven of the points, including an ace. The Huskers went on to win game two, 30-23, when Tulane was called for a net violation.

 

Nebraska again came from behind in game three. Trailing 20-17, the Huskers cut pulled within one after Houghtelling drilled two straight kills. An ace serve by Schrad evened the score at 20. Another kill by Houghtelling and Schrad's second ace serve made it 22-20. NU secured the third-game 30-26 win when Schrad pounded a kill cross-court.

 

Nebraska returns to action Friday, Sept. 12, when it faces No. 20 Santa Clara in the US Bank/Arby's Classic at 7 p.m. at the NU Coliseum. Following their home opener, the Huskers will take on No. 25 Michigan State Saturday at 3 p.m. and No. 12 Georgia Tech Sunday at 3 p.m.  NU's match against the Yellow Jackets will be televised by NETV and CSTV (DirecTV channel  610). All three matches can be heard on the Pinnacle Sports Network and B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Omaha.