Huskers outlast LSU, sweep Cajuns

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By TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star

Two weeks, two five-set victories for the No. 6 Nebraska volleyball team.

Playing their second match of the day, the Huskers rallied past host LSU 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-15, 15-8 in the Tiger Classic on Friday in Baton Rouge, La.

Tara Mueller had 22 kills and 15 digs to pace the Huskers, but it was huge contributions from Brooke Delano and Lindsey Licht that made the difference down the stretch.

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Delano finished with nine kills and nine blocks, and had two big serving runs in set four.

Licht had four kills and two blocks in the fifth set, where NU hit .600 as a team, scoring 12 kills on 20 swings without an error.

“Games four and five, our Husker Power really showed,” NU coach John Cook said.

With a second fifth-set victory in a week, Delano said the Huskers are gaining more and more confidence.

“You can see more and more the spurts where we’re playing at a high level,” she said.

Licht finished with 15 kills and six blocks and Hannah Werth added a double-double of 11 kills and 10 digs.

Brittnee Cooper had 20 kills on .581 hitting for the Tigers.

Earlier Friday, NU swept overmatched Louisiana-Lafayette 25-14, 25-15, 25-10 as freshman outside hitters Werth and Gina Mancuso both reached double digits in kills in starting roles.

After the first set was tied at 12-12, Nebraska won 63 of the final 90 rallies. Kaitlynn James and Paige Hubl saw their first career action as Huskers, while Brigette Root made her season debut.

Werth led Nebraska, recording 13 kills on .455 hitting, while Mancuso added 10 kills. Another freshman, middle blocker Allison McNeal, led Nebraska with four blocks. Jessica Yanz set exclusively in the third set.

Nebraska (4-1) will close out tournament play Saturday, facing Tulane at 12:30 p.m.