Crimson Tide Volleyball Loses at No. 4 Nebraska
9/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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LINCOLN, Neb. - The Crimson Tide volleyball team ran into a wide awake No. 4 Nebraska squad in the first match of the day at the US Bank/Arby's Classic. The Cornhuskers posted a 3-0 (30-13, 30-15, 30-22) sweep over Alabama at 10 a.m. in Nebraska Coliseum in front of a near sellout crowd of 4,030 spectators.
With the loss, Alabama falls to 6-3 on the year and continues its current three-match losing skid. Nebraska improves to 6-1 with the victory.
"This was another great experience in our maturing process," said UA head coach Judy Green. "We are still discovering the strengths and weaknesses of our team. Our struggles in passing put our hitters in some tough spots. I do think that we can definitely build on our effort in the third game."
Nebraska showed why it is one of the top teams in the country early in the match taking a 13-6 lead on the strength of four team blocks and a solid hitting display. The Huskers kept the pressure on the Tide extending their lead to double figures, 21-11, as Bama struggled to find any offensive flow. UN closed out the game with three aces to win 30-13. Nebraska posted a .464 hitting percentage while limiting UA to -.086 in the opening frame.
The Crimson Tide hitting woes continued in game two as the Cornhuskers ran out to an early 8-1 advantage. Nebraska again pushed in front by double digits (14-4) going errorless from the floor through their first 14 swings. The Huskers maintained their margin for the remainder of the frame winning by a 30-15 count. Nebraska finished the game with just two hitting error en route to an impressive .538 hitting performance while Bama hit at a .000 clip.
Game three saw a determined Tide group, with new starters Shelly Adamcik and Denee Ezerins, score the first three points and share a part of the lead until the Huskers earned their first lead at 8-7. Back-to-back aces by Erin Heffner pushed the Tide back in front (10-8). The score stayed close until a late 6-1 run gave Nebraska some breathing room. Alabama refused to quit battling the Huskers to the end eventually falling, 30-22. The Tide had its best offensive showing of the match hitting .121.
Sophomore Kory Tull was the Tide's most effective hitter at .444 (5 kills, 1 error in 9 attempts) and led the squad with seven digs. Heffner paced the team with nine kills followed by Price with eight. Nebraska got a balanced attack as four players finished with eight kills in the win. The Huskers out-blocked Bama 12-2 and also finished hitting .475 for the match.
Alabama concludes action at the US Bank/Arby's Classic with a second match on Saturday against No. 22 Santa Clara at 7 p.m. Nebraska closes the tournament at 5 p.m. against Michigan.
Alabama (6-3) 13 15 22
#4 Nebraska (6-1) 30 30 30
