Nebraska Volleyball completed their opening weekend sweep of Big Ten play with a 3-0 victory over #20 USC (25-18, 25-22, 25-16) on Sunday night.
In the first set, the Huskers would fluster the Trojans, hitting .364 and going on an 8-0 run going into the set point. USC would then take a 3-0 run of their own during Nebraska’s match points. John Cook would call time out at the 24-15 mark, but USC would extend their run by another three points until a Lindsay Krause kill to end the set.
The second set was a bit more evenly matched, but Harper Murray led the way to Nebraska pulling away from USC, having 9 of her 12 kills in the middle match. The Huskers would also be helped by two coaches challenges that reversed points at the 10-9 mark (USC touch on a Merritt Beason kill) and the 21-18 mark (in/out call on a USC attack error, then USC challenge on net violation same point denied).
In the third set, Nebraska held the Trojans to .000 hitting (5 kills, 5 errors) while going on an 8-2 run after tying the game 7-7. USC would again have a last gasp effort, rallying three straight points on the match point.
USC would have 13 service errors in the match, including the match points in the second and third sets. Ally Batenhorst, who returned for Nebraska after playing for the Huskers for the past three years before joining the Women of Troy, led the team with 13 kills.
Murray’s 12 kills led Nebraska, who hit .245 on the match. Beason had 11 kills and Andi Jackson had 7. Murray also led the Huskers with 2 service aces.
The #2 Huskers are now 12-1 and 2-0 in B1G play. Their first road trip is on Thursday against Illinois. First serve from Champaign is set for 6PM and the game will be broadcast on FS1 and KGFW.
HEAR FROM THE HUSKERS:
Harper Murray and Merritt Beason:
Former Husker Ally Batenhorst:
Head Coach John Cook:
