Saleaumua Leads NU to Sweep at No. 21 Texas A&M

College Station, Texas ?  Sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua produced her 12th double-double of the season   Wednesday night to lead the No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team to a 30-22, 30-24, 30-19 win over No. 21 Texas A&M before 2,766 fans at G. Rollie White Coliseum.  Saleaumua totaled 13 kills on a .344 hitting percentage to go along with 12 digs and two blocks.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Saleaumua was one of six Huskers who had at least two blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer led an impressive all-around blocking effort with 10 stops, including two solo blocks, and she also had nine kills. Nebraska had 14.5 blocks overall and held Texas A&M to a .102 hitting percentage. The Huskers hit .315, the second straight game in which they’ve hit at least .300.  Freshman libero Amanda McCormick tallied a match-high 14 digs.

 

With the win, Nebraska improved to 21-3 overall and 12-2 in the Big 12. The Aggies, who were in third place in the league standings entering the match, fell to 17-6 overall and 9-4 in the conference. Sophomore outside hitter Laura Jones led Texas A&M with 13 kills, but hit just .200.

 

“I am so happy with the way we played,” NU Coach John Cook said. “Just in every part of the game, we made exceptional plays. I was really impressed with the Huskers’ effort.”

 

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska took game one, 30-22, with an impressive defensive performance. The Huskers totaled 8.5 team blocks and held A&M to a minus -.023 hitting percentage, a season-low for the Aggies.  NU led 23-19 before Texas A&M pulled within one with the help of kills by Jones and Carrie Moreira. Junior right side hitter Ally Rebholz stopped the run with a kill to make it 24-22, and Saleaumua served the final six points of the game. Elmer was in on three blocks during the stretch, combining with freshman outside hitter Dani Mancuso twice and Rebholz once. NU sealed the victory when Jones’ attempt sailed wide.

 

In game two, Nebraska trailed by six early. But Rebholz and Elmer each provided two kills as the Huskers tied the score at 15. With the score tied again at 17, Schrad came up with a block and a kill to help NU increase its lead to 22-17. The Huskers led, 26-21, after Saleaumua slammed a kill, and Nebraska eventually won, 30-24, when Schrad pounded a kill off the A&M block.

 

In game three, Nebraska built a 15-11 lead with the help of three kills from Mancuso. Texas A&M pulled within one after Jones pounded two straight kills, but Saleaumua answered with back-to-back kills of her own. Rebholz and Elmer combined to block Jones to make it 20-15, NU. The Huskers eventually took a 30-19 victory in game three on an ace serve by Mancuso.

 

The Huskers continue their road swing Saturday, Nov. 8, when they travel to Missouri. First serve at the Hearnes Center is scheduled for 7 pm.