Huskers Sweep Bears

Huskers Sweep Bears
Waco, Texas ? Behind a career-high five service aces from Sarah Pavan, second-ranked Nebraska picked up its 23rd sweep of the year with a 30-11, 30-18, 30-26 victory over Baylor Wednesday night at the Ferrell Center.

Pavan led a potent serving attack for the Big Red, as the Huskers (26-1, 18-1 Big 12) carved up Baylor with nine aces to match NU’s season high in that category. Pavan, whose previous career high was four, matched that total in game one alone, while Rachel Holloway’s ace on match point provided the exclamation point for Nebraska, which ranks second in the Big 12 in aces.

While the Husker servers feasted on the Bears, Nebraska turned in a solid effort on both ends of the court, hitting .319 as a team and placing three players in double figures in kills. Jordan Larson paced a balanced attack with 12 kills, nine digs, four blocks and two aces, while Pavan and Tracy Stalls chipped in 10 kills apiece. Stalls hit .500 on 16 swings and chipped in a pair of blocks.

Christina Houghtelling nearly enjoyed a double-double of her own with eight kills on .412 hitting and a match-high 17 digs, while freshman Kayla Banwarth added 14 more, as Nebraska totaled 50 digs and held Baylor to .086 hitting.

The Huskers can clinch a share of the Big 12 title on Saturday against Texas Tech, as Nebraska is tied with Texas with 18-1 Big 12 marks. The Longhorns nearly squandered a 2-0 lead, but fought off seven match points to hold on to a five-game win at Iowa State late Wednesday.

The Huskers used a potent attack and strong serving to roll to a 30-11 victory in the opener. Nebraska hit a blistering .481 as a team, committing one error in 27 swings, while holding the Bears to -.103 hitting. Houghtelling totaled four kills on six swings and five digs, while Pavan sliced up the Bears with four service aces. The Huskers trailed 6-5 before taking control with a 21-4 spurt. NU doubled up the Bears at 18-9 after a Stalls kill before Pavan closed the spurt with eight straight points from the service line, including three aces, to put NU ahead 27-10.

Nebraska kept the momentum going in game two, jumping out to an early advantage en route to a 30-18 victory. Larson and Pavan did most of the damage, combining for 13 of the Huskers 18 kills to help NU outhit the Bears, .289-.152. The Huskers led game two from wire to wire, running off the first four points and winning nine of the first 11 rallies to take a 9-2 lead after a Holloway kill. Baylor pulled to within 11-5, but a Houghtelling kills sparked a run of four straight Husker points as NU took a 15-5 cushion after a Houghtelling ace. NU continued to build on the lead, doubling up the Bears at 24-12 after a Stalls kill, and cruised to a 12-point win to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Stalls came up big for the Huskers in the finale, recording half of her 10 kills in helping NU to a 30-26 win. The senior totaled five kills on seven swings, including two big points after Baylor pulled close late.  Baylor was within 14-12 before Nebraska took control with a 6-2 spurt behind the play of freshman Lindsey Licht, who came off the bench for a kill and combined with Stalls on a big block before Larson’s kill put the Huskers ahead, 20-14.  The Bears continued hang around and were within 25-22 before two straight Stalls kills gave the Husker a five-point advantage and forced the Bears’ second timeout.  The Bears fought back and got to within 28-26, but a Kori Cooper kill and a Holloway ace closed out the sweep.

Amanda Modglin and Ashley Christenson led Baylor (14-16, 6-13 Big 12) with seven kills apiece, as the Bears suffered their sixth straight loss.

The Huskers return to action Saturday night, as they host Texas Tech in the regular-season finale for both teams. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be carried on the Husker Sports Network and on Huskers.com