The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
Volleyball falls to No. 2 Nebraska in Lincoln
11.24.2004 | Volleyball
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Behind a dominate defensive net performance of 16 blocks and a stifling backcourt defense, the No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated No. 11 Texas, 3-0 (30-20, 30-19, 30-22), in Big 12 volleyball action in front of a sell-out crowd at NU's Coliseum on Wednesday night. Nebraska has now won 11-straight matches against Texas.
Texas (23-4, 15-4 Big 12) was unable to put together consistent offensive pressure, and senior Bethany Howden (Austin, Texas) had a team-high 12 kills as UT managed just 31 kills for the match and hit only .032. Sophomore Dariam Acevedo (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) had 15 digs, and senior Mira Topic (Kastela Kambelovac, Croatia) added 13 digs.
Nebraska (26-1, 19-0 Big 12), which hit .248, was led by Sarah Pavan who had 15 kills and nine blocks (three solo, six block assists). Christina Houghtelling added 10 kills. Nebraska out-dug Texas, 58 to 54, led by Amanda McCormick's 15 digs and Dani Busboom's 14.
With the loss, Texas suffered its first 3-0 loss of the year. The match was also Texas' lowest hitting effort of the season.
Nebraska jumped out early in the first game and strung out an 11-point lead, but Texas used a 6-0 run to pull within five points - at 21-16 - but the Cornhuskers then pulled away to take the game by a 10-point spread. Nebraska used nine blocks in the first game alone to establish control.
In the second game, the two teams stayed close and UT even took a 9-8 lead, but the Nebraska went on a quick 4-0 run, bolstered by three UT errors, to take control before pulling away for the 2-0 lead in games.
In the final game, Nebraska used an 8-1 run early to pull out to a 10-4 lead, which it continued to extend throughout the game. NU had another 4-1 run later - to push the score to 19-10 - which featured three kills by Pavan and one of her three solo blocks on the night.
The No. 11 Longhorns will play Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Gregory Gym. Seniors Mira Topic and Bethany Howden, as well as former Longhorn Kathy Hahn, will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
