Sept. 13, 2002
LINCOLN, Neb. - The 22nd-ranked Santa Clara University volleyball team had its six-match win streak snapped Friday evening on the first day of the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic by the host, fourth-ranked Nebraska, 3-0.
Despite the sweep, the Broncos (6-1) gained a good measure of respect in the match right from the beginning as they forced the first game into extra points before finally dropping the game by a score of 36-34.
Games two and three were less competitive in the scoring, but still encouraging for a young team in a hostile environment. Santa Clara dropped game two by a 30-24 count and game three by a score of 30-21.
Junior middle blocker Becky Potter posted a season-high 19 kills on the evening to go along with 12 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Megan Johnston posted five kills of her own by recorded a career-high 20 digs in the loss.
Junior Setter Kelli Sousa recorded 40 assists on the evening while senior co-captains Chrissy Hirsch and Cindy Hirsch recorded 13 and 11 digs, respectively.
The Cornhuskers (5-1) were led on the evening by Laura Pilakowski who posted 19 kills and 11 digs, while Jennifer Saleaumua had seven kills and a match-high 20 digs.
The real difference in the match came at the net where Nebraska posted 14 total blocks to Santa Clara's two. Amber Holmquist and Melissa Elmer led the way for the Cornhuskers with seven and six total blocks respectively, with only three blocking errors between them.
The Broncos will be back in action Saturday morning on day two of the tournament, facing the University of Michigan at 10 a.m. They will conclude their play in the two-day tournament with a match against Maryland to wrap up the tournament in Lincoln at 5:30 p.m.