Huskers overcome Bruins in four sets in Omaha

No. 1-ranked Nebraska, playing close to home in Omaha, defeated no. 5-ranked UCLA, 30-23, 22-30, 30-18, 30-21 in the final of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Collegiate Volleyball Showcase Saturday night.

The Bruins got 19 kills each from Rachell Johnson and Ali Daley and 55 assists from All-American setter Nellie Spicer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the defending NCAA champions.

Nebraska All-American Sarah Pavan had 25 kills and Tracy Stalls had 16 while setter Rachel Holloway had 61 assists. The Huskers hit .314 against the Bruin defense while UCLA could manage only .209.

UCLA evened the match at 1-1 by winning the second set and took a 7-4 lead in the third set. But Nebraska came back to win the set, 30-18 and won in four, just as they did against the Bruins in last year’s national semifinals.

The loss leaves the Bruins at 1-1 on the season; UCLA travels to Hawaii next week for the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic for matches against Louisville (Aug. 31), Kansas State (Sep. 2) and host Hawaii (Sep. 3).