NEBRASKA BLOCKING ENDS BUFFS WIN STREAK

Wednesday, November 26

Boulder, Colo.

7:00 p.m.

Colorado

Nebraska

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

November 26, 2003 | Volleyball

By: Troy Andre, Assistant SID

BOULDER ? Tenth ranked Nebraska had 21 ? blocks and held Colorado to a .096 hitting percentage as the Huskers stopped the Buffs five-match win streak 33-31, 15-30, 30-18, 30-26 on Wednesday night at the Coors Events Conference Center.

Colorado falls to 20-9 overall and 12-7 in the Big 12. The Buffs have still won seven of their last nine matches and can clinch at least a tie for third place in the final league standings with a win in their final regular season match on Friday at Oklahoma. Nebraska, 26-4 overall and 17-3 in the Big 12, will finish second in the Big 12 and claims its 12^th straight win over CU.

In a losing effort, Colorado claimed its first game from Nebraska in four seasons. Entering the match Nebraska had swept the Buffs seven straight times, a span of 24 games including game one on Saturday. CU actually had two game points in game one, but eventually fell 33-31.

The Buffs put an end to that streak in game two with an exclamation. CU's 15-point margin in game two was its largest ever against the Huskers, keeping in mind teams only played until 15 up to the 2000 season. The Buffs largest margin prior to the 2000 season was a 15-4 decision during a CU win in 1997.

In game two CU held Nebraska to a -.048 hitting percentage, allowing only eight kills and forcing 10 errors on 42 attacks. It was also the fewest points that the Huskers have scored in a single game in 2003.

Nebraska blocking took over in games three and four. The Huskers had 14 ? of their 21 ? team blocks in the final two frames. After hitting .243 in the first two games, Colorado hit just -.022 over the final two games.

“It's always disappointing to put in that effort and come up short, but the fact that we battled is great,” CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. “We played a tough opponent and did a lot of good things to keep it close.”

Sophomore Nicole Carr led all players with 15 kills and recorded her 16^th double-double of the season by notching 10 digs. Carr, now with 371 digs in 2003, moves into 10^th place on CU's single-season digs list.

Senior Monique Gerlach had 11 kills and 12 digs in her final home match. Maragda Santillana had 12 kills while Allie Griffin had 11.

“Tonight was like a double-edge sword,” Gerlach said. “We played really well but we still lost so we are disappointed. But we're proud of the way we played.”

Nebraska was led by Melissa Elmer who had a double-double with 14 kills and 10 blocks. Sara Westling had 12 kills and eight blocks while Anna Schrad had 10 kills and eight blocks.