Saleaumua Stars in Sweep of KU

Lincoln ? Sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua produced her team-leading 16th double-double of the season to lead No. 10 Nebraska to a 30-22, 30-21, 30-21 win over Kansas Wednesday night at the NU Coliseum. Saleaumua pounded a match-high 16 kills on a .375 hitting percentage to go along with 12 digs in the winning effort.

Nebraska hit .364 overall, as senior outside hitter Anna Schrad and redshirt freshman right side hitter Kelsey Fautsch each tallied 10 kills and hit .350 and .438, respectively. Sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer totaled nine kills and hit .538.

Freshman outside hitter Dani Mancuso led NU with five service aces, which tied for the highest total by a Husker this season, as Nebraska recorded 10 aces overall.

"Nebraska’s serving was really impressive tonight," KU Coach Ray Bechard said. "That set up everything they wanted to do. I thought Dani Mancuso’s serve was very good. We had more trouble with it than we thought we might."

A crowd of 4,054 fans watched the Huskers improve to 24-4 overall and 15-3 in the Big 12, while KU fell to 18-10 and 10-7 in the league. Lindsey Morris and Josi Lima each posted 10 kills for Kansas.

"I wasn’t sure where we’d be mentally after the loss at Kansas State (last Saturday)," NU Coach John Cook said. "But I was really impressed with the way we came out. I challenged the captains (Schrad and Jenae Dowling) to get the team ready, and I saw energy and a positive direction tonight."

Nebraska took control of game one, 17-12, after Elmer pounded two straight kills and Fautsch put up a solo block. The Huskers maintained at least a three-point lead the rest of the way, as Elmer and Fautsch each came up with key kills down the stretch. Saleaumua drilled a kill to force a game-point situation. KU stopped the Huskers twice before NU took a 30-22 win on a Kansas serving error.

NU hit .361 in game one, and Elmer was perfect on six attempts for a 1.000 hitting percentage.

The Huskers led throughout game two and held a 24-17 advantage after Saleaumua blocked Ashley Michaels. Nebraska cruised the rest of the way, securing a 30-21 win on Saleaumua’s 11th kill of the match. Saleaumua tallied six kills on .455 hitting in game two, and the Huskers hit .441 as a team.

In game three, the Jayhawks closed the gap to 16-15 when Jordan Garrison blocked Mancuso. But after an NU timeout, Fautsch drilled a kill cross court, and the momentum swung back to the Huskers’ side of the court. Nebraska led 24-16 after Mancuso recorded three straight service aces. Saleaumua pounded the winning kill in the 30-21 game three win.

The Huskers return to action Saturday, Nov. 22, when they play host to Baylor at 7 p.m. in their final regular-season match at the NU Coliseum. Nebraska will honor seniors Jenae Dowling, Anna Schrad and Sara Westling immediately following the match.