Right side hitters lead NU to Sweep at OU

Norman, Okla. ? Right side hitters Ally Rebholz and Kelsey Fautsch combined for 19 kills to lead the seventh-ranked Nebraska volleyball team to a 30-17, 30-17, 30-22 win over Oklahoma at the OU Field House Saturday afternoon. Rebholz pounded 10 kills on a .529 hitting percentage to go along with two blocks, while Fautsch tallied nine kills, hit .667 and also had two blocks.

With the win, the Huskers improved to 14-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12. NU also lengthened its streak of victories against league opponents to 77. Oklahoma fell to 9-8 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

"Oklahoma came to play today, but we stayed focused and really did a nice job," NU Coach John Cook said. "I thought Kelsey and Ally were great today. Jen (Saleaumua) and Anna (Schrad) made some tough shots and hit the corners. We played good floor defense and served aggressively. It was just a great team effort."

Nebraska dominated the match statistically, hitting .361 to OU's .046, as setters Michelle Lynch and Dani Busboom combined for 44 assists. NU out-blocked the Sooners, 8-2, and held a 43-29 advantage in digs. Sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer led Nebraska with four blocks, Saleaumua had 13 digs and 11 kills.

Nebraska trailed in the early moments of game one, but grew stronger and dominated thereafter. NU led 25-16 after a kill by Elmer. Lynch then served three straight points in a run that included kills by Rebholz and Saleaumua. The Huskers led 29-17 after Elmer drilled a kill, and with Saleaumua serving, Rebholz ripped a kill for the 30-17, first-game win. Rebholz posted five kills on six swings for a .833 hitting percentage in game one.

The Huskers carried their momentum into game two, as the Sooners had problems with Nebraska's jump servers. Busboom reeled off six straight points, including a service ace, to make it 11-3, NU. Lynch served six straight later to increase NU's advantage to 21-7. The run included an ace by Lynch and back-to-back blocks by Elmer and Saleuamua, then Elmer and Rebholz. The Huskers eventually won, 30-17, when Fautsch drilled a kill crosscourt. Nebraska swung at a .652 clip in game two and was hitting .500 for the match heading into the third game.

The Sooners came out firing after the break, as Laura Tomes collected four quick kills. Nebraska didn't led until Fautsch slammed a kill of the OU block to make it 18-17. Oklahoma tied the score two more times before Westling served four straight points, including two aces, to open a 23-19 Nebraska lead. The Huskers secured a 30-22 third-game win and the match when Saleaumua produced a kill from the back row.

The Huskers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 8, when they travel to Lawrence, Kan. First serve against the Jayhawks is scheduled for 7 p.m.