Huskers outslug Mizzou in three-set win
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By TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
A struggling offense finally hit on all cylinders.
Credit the quarterback, says Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook.
“I thought Sydney was exceptional tonight,” Cook said of junior setter Sydney Anderson following No. 10 Nebraska’s 25-19, 25-16, 25-16 sweep of Missouri on Wednesday at the NU Coliseum.
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Trailing unbeaten Texas 9-6 in the fifth set, Iowa State got three kills from Rachel Hockaday and the clinching blow from Tecumseh freshman Jamie Straube in a historic 22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 20-25, 15-12 win before 3,708 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.
At No. 2, Texas (18-1, 13-1) became the highest-ranked team to ever fall to the Cyclones, who were ranked eighth this week. Victoria Henson had 15 kills for Iowa State (20-3, 12-2).
Destinee Hooker had 27 kills, but Texas’ All-American was dug 35 times.
Nebraska hit a sizzling .451, the Huskers’ best night offensively against a Big 12 opponent since the days of Pavan, Stalls, Houghtelling and Larson. Six Huskers hit .400 or better with Tara Mueller efficiently tooling shots off the block and Lindsey Licht bouncing balls in front of the 3-meter line.
“It’s no different than a quarterback throwing to a receiver in stride,” Cook said. “She’s leading those hitters so they can go up and take big rips.”
Hannah Werth had 12 kills, Mueller added 11 and Brooke Delano scored the sixth-best hitting performance ever by a Husker, ripping 10 of 12 swings for kills without recording an error (.833).
Together with some solid serving and precise passing, it made for a feel-good night for the Huskers, who’ve been bummed already six times this season. The latest jolt came Friday in a loss at Texas where Nebraska seemingly threatened the Longhorns, yet the bottom line in hitting efficiency favored Texas .326-.168.
Missouri, even with 22 kills from Paola Ampudia, shouldn’t be confused for the second-ranked Longhorns, but in eliminating errors and finishing off sets, the Huskers (17-6, 10-4) chalked up Wednesday’s win over the Tigers (15-10, 6-7) as significant progress.
“You could see it tonight, it just seemed and felt like everyone was working together,” Mueller said. “This was a great match to build off of and to remember in those times when we might be down a couple points.”
Which brings us to Saturday and Nebraska’s trip to sky-high Iowa State. The No. 8 Cyclones, on Wednesday, scored the biggest win in school history, taking down Texas 22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 20-25, 15-12.
Only two weeks ago, Iowa State was celebrating what was then its biggest win, a five-set victory at Nebraska that threatened to send the Huskers reeling.
Wednesday was an indication that NU has recovered, yet everyone from coach to quarterback agrees that Saturday’s return trip will say a lot for what Nebraska could do in the postseason.
“We’re great when we just go play,” Anderson said, “… and we’re ready to take revenge on Iowa State.”
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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