Middle Blockers Dominant in Win

Lubbock, Texas ? Middle blockers Sara Westling and Melissa Elmer combined for 33 kills and 12 blocks Wednesday night to lead No. 11 Nebraska to a 24-30, 30-25, 30-25, 30-27 win at Texas Tech. With the win, the Huskers improved to 18-3 overall and 10-2 in the Big 12 Conference.

Westling’s eight blocks and 15 kills were both career highs, and the senior from Lincoln swung at a .464 clip. Westling’s previous career high was eight kills against Kansas on Oct. 10, 2001. Elmer led Nebraska with 18 kills on a .486 hitting percentage to go along with four blocks.

"We wanted to come in and set the middle because we felt that was a match up we could win," NU Coach John Cook said. "Our middle attackers were definitely a real positive for us tonight. I was also happy with Dani Mancuso, who really gave us a lift. We have to continue to find ways to get her on the court."

Sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua produced her team-leading 10th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 17 digs. Freshman outside hitter Dani Mancuso played most of games three and four on the left side and gave the Huskers a huge lift off the bench, recording three service aces and six kills. Freshman libero Amanda McCormick tallied a match-high 19 digs.

Kelly Johnson produced 20 kills for Texas Tech, which fell to 9-12 overall and 1-11 in the league

The Huskers trailed 17-11 in game one before out-scoring Texas Tech 5-1 behind three kills by Westling to pull within two. However, Texas Tech held a 22-17 advantage after kills by Breanna Pursley and Johnson. NU called time out and stopped the run with a kill by Jennifer Saleaumua, but the Huskers couldn’t keep their momentum and trailed, 25-19, moments later. Tech widened the margin to 29-23 after an NU hitting error and a kill by Kiley Lyons. Westling held Tech off with a kill, but Pursely slammed a kill on the next play to secure the 30-24 win for the Red Raiders.

The game one loss broke Nebraska’s 20-game winning streak against Texas Tech and was their first to the Red Raiders since 2000.

The Huskers bounced back in game two and led, 21-15, after a 4-0 run that included two kills and a block assists by Elmer. Nebraska maintained at least a three-point advantage the rest of the way and won, 30-25, when Ally Rebholz and Elmer blocked Pursley on game point.

Nebraska trailed most of game three before scoring nine of the game’s last 11 points to take a 30-25 win on a kill by Kelsey Fautsch. With the score tied at 24, Dani Busboom served five straight points. Westling produced a kill and combined with Fautsch for three blocks during the run. NU hit .167 but had five team blocks in game three, as Westling was in on four stops.

The Huskers again trailed in game four, but rallied for a 10-9 lead after Mancuso served five straight points, including three aces. The lead changed hands several times before Tech took a 24-21 lead with kills by Johnson and Pursley and an ace serve by Pursley. Fautsch stopped the run with a kill, but the Red Raiders again led by three after Michelle Lynch’s serve sailed wide. With Texas Tech leading 26-22, Saleaumua served five straight point before NU finally took a 27-26 lead on back-to-back kills by Elmer. After a kill by Johnson, Elmer slammed another kill to give NU a 29-27 lead. Schrad pounded a kill on the next play for the 30-27 fourth-game win and the match.

The Huskers return to action Saturday when they face Oklahoma at 7 p.m. at the NU Coliseum. The match will be televised live on NETV and can also be heard on B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Omaha.