Elmer Leads NU Past Dayton to NCAA Regionals

East Lansing, Mich. ? Sophomore middle blocker Melissa Elmer produced a record-setting performance to lead Nebraska to a 30-19, 30-14, 30-25, win over Dayton Saturday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Michigan State. Elmer pounded 15 kills on a .737 hitting percentage, breaking the NU postseason single-match hitting percentage record.

Elmer erred just once in 19 attempts in leading the Huskers to a season-high .463 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Anna Schrad pounded 11 kills while swinging at a season-best .526 clip, and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua tallied 14 kills on a .444 hitting percentage.

Defensively, freshman libero Amanda McCormick recorded 20 digs, a new NU postseason record for digs in a three-game match. The Huskers held the Dayton to a .083 hitting percentage, marking the seond straight night in which they have held an opponent to less than .100 at the net.

"I thought we played really well tonight," NU Coach John Cook said. "We were hitting on all cylinders. Our passing was good, and our setting was good. It was really rewarding to see us play so well."

With the win, the Huskers improved to 28-4 on the season and 56-19 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska, the tournament’s No. 9 seed, advances to the Dec 12-13 NCAA regional in Lincoln. The Huskers will face the winner of Saturday’s second-round match between eighth-seeded UCLA and UC-Irvine Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the NU Coliseum. Friday’s regional semifinal winners will face off Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum for a spot in the NCAA national semifinals Dec. 18-20 in Dallas.

Nebraska has advanced to the regional round of the NCAA Tournament 20 times and is 23-11 all-time in NCAA regional action, including 20-4 in regional matches in Lincoln. The Huskers have advanced to the NCAA final four eight of the 12 previous times in which they have played host to a regional.

"I obviously haven’t played in a regional at the Coliseum yet, but I can’t wait," McCormick said. "I think its going to be a great feeling."

Nebraska led 14-10 in game one before reeling off four straight points in a stretch that including an ace serve by freshman outside hitter Dani sMancuso and kills from Saleaumua and Elmer. NU maintained at least a six-point advantage the rest of the way. Junior right side hitter Ally Rebholz, who had three blocks in game one, combined with Westling to block Erin Treadway and force a game-point situation. The Huskers won the first game, 30-19, on the next rally when Dayton committed a hitting error.

The Huskers hit .538 in game one, committing just one error in 26 attempts. NU was led by Saleaumua, who tallied six kills on nine attempts for a .667 mark.

NU carried its momentum into game two and breezed to a 30-14 victory. Nebraska led 22-7 after back-to-back kills by Schrad. Dayton scored six of the next points to make it 26-13, but Schrad again answered with two straight kills. The Huskers eventually took a 30-14 win when Elmer slammed a kill.

Nebraska swung for a .588 hitting percentage in game two, as Schrad pounded five kills on six attempts (.833).

In game three, Dayton played with the Huskers early and closed NU’s lead to 16-13 after an ace serve by Christy Utnage. Saleaumua responded with a kill, and Nebraska held at least a three-point advantage until Dayton’s Faye Barhorst notched a kill to cut the NU advantage to 24-22. Mancuso forced a game-point situation with a kill, and Elmer secured the 30-25, third-game win and the match with her 15th kill of the night.

Treadway had a team-high eight kills for Dayton, which ended its 2003 season with a 26-10 record.