Huskers rout Colorado at Coliseum
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BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
John Cook is finding that these shortened rally-scoring sets are a bit like playing the roulette wheel.
And, as you might have guessed, the Nebraska volleyball coach is not a big fan of games (or sets) of chance.
His second-ranked Huskers swept Colorado 25-19, 25-15, 26-24 on Saturday afternoon, but NU’s 78th consecutive win at home didn’t come without at least a few anxious moments.
Related Link(s):
Qwest Center, 5 p.m. Sunday
TV: NET (12)
RADIO: 107.3
Nebraska let a 24-21 edge slip away in the third set, but after a timeout, a kill from Kori Cooper and a hitting error by the Buffs’ Emilee Sisco closed out the win.
NU improved to 5-1 this season in sets decided by two points.
“Our team has done a nice job. When we get in those situations, we will find a way to get a sideout or make a play,” Cook said, adding that he’d prefer not to have his team in such precarious situations.
“That’s when you start allowing some of that luck, or a freakish play, to come in and determine a game,” he said. “If Colorado wins that game, now, all of the sudden, they start believing and our road becomes much tougher.
“It can get ugly fast.”
Nebraska (14-0, 6-0 Big 12) dominated the first two sets, but not everything came easy against a Colorado team looking to rebound from an embarrassing loss at Baylor last week.
The Buffs (8-6, 2-3) won just 27 rallies and mustered only 14 kills against the Bears but played well enough to surpass those totals by midway through Saturday’s second set.
Colorado, which had just two blocks at Baylor, managed five against the Huskers. Nebraska was outblocked for a second straight match.
“That’s unacceptable for us,” Cook said. “We need to be a great blocking team. That’s what allows our floor defense to take over a match.”
Nebraska’s ups and downs, senior Rachel Schwartz said, are a result of an occasional lapse in focus.
Without precise passing Saturday, Nebraska had to rely heavily on its outside hitters to score. Jordan Larson led NU with 17 kills. The senior put away nine of 11 swings in the final set.
Lindsey Licht added 11 kills on .533 hitting. As a team, Nebraska outhit Colorado .302-.140.
After the win, the Huskers’ attention quickly turned to Creighton (6-6) and Sunday’s 5 p.m. match at Qwest Center Omaha.
“Our players have got to understand the mentality that Creighton’s going to have,” Cook said. “They want to knock off Nebraska.”
Briefly
As of Friday, approximately 6,000 tickets had been sold for Sunday’s match. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and are available at TicketMaster.com or at the Qwest Center box office.
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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