Huskers – Page 145 – North Platte Post Archive

Walker Named Regional Coach of the Year

Posted on December 3, 2013

Nebraska Head Coach John Walker was named the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Great Lakes Regional Women’s Coach of the Year on Tuesday after guiding the Huskers to both the Big Ten Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships.

Walker, who was also tabbed Big Ten Coach of the Year, guided the Huskers to a 19-4-1 record, its highest win total since 2000 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. Prior to falling to Boston College in the NCAA Second Round, NU won 17 of 18 contests and held the nation’s longest and program’s fifth-best win streak of 10 games. The Huskers went 10-1 in the Big Ten with an undefeated conference road resume.

Nebraska made a splash on the national scene in 2013 achieving a No. 10 ranking in the NSCAA Coaches Poll as well as a No. 4 rating in the national RPI. In 20 years of NU soccer, Walker’s program boasts a 282-124-21 mark including 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 conference titles.

Huskers Hit Road for Top 20 Showdown at North Carolina

Posted on December 3, 2013

The Nebraska women’s basketball team hits the road for the second time this season, traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday to take on No. 18 North Carolina in a top-20 battle in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Tip-off between the No. 15 Huskers (6-1) and the No. 18 Tar Heels (6-2) is set for 5 p.m. (CT), with live video coverage on ESPN3.com with Dean Linke and Bobby Hundley on the call.

The game can be heard live on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and The Wolf 93.3 FM in Omaha. Free live audio is available on Huskers.com.

Nebraska slipped to 6-1 on the season with a 76-72 loss to Washington State in Lincoln on Saturday. The setback snapped the Huskers’ 10-game winning streak against Pac-12 Conference foes. NU owns wins over UCLA and Utah this season. North Carolina, which also owns a win over UCLA (78-68) this year, also suffered a loss to an unranked Pac-12 foe over the weekend. The Tar Heels dropped a 94-81 overtime decision to Arizona State in their second game of the Cancun Challenge on Friday, Nov. 29.

The game between the Huskers and Tar Heels will showcase two of the nation’s most explosive front lines. Nebraska’s starting forwards of Jordan Hooper, Emily Cady and Hailie Sample will make their 75th straight starts together. The experienced trio has powered Nebraska to back-to-back NCAA Tournament trips, including the 2013 NCAA Sweet 16. They enter the game averaging 40.9 points and 26.3 rebounds.

North Carolina’s starting trio of Diamond DeShields, Stephanie Mavunga and Xylina McDaniel are just as potent, but not as experienced. DeShields, a 6-1 freshman guard, is averaging 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Mavunga, a 6-3 freshman forward, has averaged 14.8 points and 10.5 boards per game, while McDaniel, a 6-2 sophomore forward, has contributed 10.5 points and 5.8 boards per game. McDaniel, the daughter of former NBA star Xavier McDaniel, DeShields, the daughter of former Major Leaguer Delino DeShields, and Mavunga have combined for 40.8 points and 21.4 boards per game.

Robinson Heads All-Big Ten Team

Posted on December 3, 2013December 3, 2013

Nebraska senior Kelsey Robinson leads three Husker volleyball players who earned All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches on Tuesday. A native of Bartlett, Ill., Robinson became the first Husker to earn Big Ten Player-of-the-Year accolades.

Robinson paces a Husker contingent that also includes freshman Kadie Rolfzen and junior Mary Pollmiller. Nebraska saw Robinson and Rolfzen earn All-Big Ten honors, while Pollmiller earned honorable-mention accolades. Kadie Rolfzen was also named to the All-Freshman Team as a unanimous pick. In addition, senior Morgan Broekhuis was selected as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Robinson earned player-of-the-year accolades and a unanimous All-Big Ten award after totaling 481 kills on the season and 4.50 kills per set for the Huskers. She is hitting at a clip of .323 for the year and has a total of 356 digs for an average of 3.33 digs per set. In conference play, Robinson tallied 352 kills and a hitting percentage of .349. She led the Big Ten in kills (4.69) and points (5.41) per set during the conference season. She has 19 double-doubles on the season and was named the Big Ten Player of the Week four times in 2013. She was also honored as the AVCA/Sports Imports Player of the Week once as a senior. She has tallied 10 or more kills 26 times in 2013 and hit .300 or better 19 times. Robinson notched a career-high-tying 29 kills against Wisconsin on Oct. 5 and a season-high 23 digs against Texas on Sept. 22.

Rolfzen put together a stellar freshman campaign for the Huskers in 2013. She has made an immediate impact for NU, totaling 341 kills on the year and 240 digs. During conference play she had 267 kills for an average of 3.56 kills per set and hit at a clip of .292. She was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week once in 2013. Rolfzen has posted 10 or more kills 21 times in 2013 and hit at a clip of .300 12 times as a freshman. She has also notched 11 double-doubles for the Huskers and recorded a career-high 20 kills and 17 digs twice.

Pollmiller garnered honorable-mention accolades as she has recorded 1,142 assists on the year, for an average of 10.67 assists per set. During Big Ten play, she posted 832 assists and averaged 11.09 assists per set. Pollmiller has helped Nebraska hit .300 or better in nine matches in 2013, including a season-high .418 hitting percentage against Indiana on Nov. 23. She has totaled 50 or more assists six times as a junior and notched four double-doubles on the season. Pollmiller tallied a season-high 62 assists against Texas on Sept. 22 and was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week four times in 2013.

The Big Ten also recognized 12 Sportsmanship Award honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Broekhuis received the honor for her contributions this season.

The Huskers open the NCAA Tournament on Friday, Dec. 6, when they face Fairfield at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match is set to start at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes after the 4:30 p.m. match between Miami (Fla.) and Oregon. The first-round winners will then meet on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

ALL-BIG TEN

JOCELYNN BIRKS, So., OH, ILL

Jennifer Cross, Sr., MB, MICH

LAUREN WICINSKI, Sr., OH, MSU

TORI DIXON, Sr., MH, MINN

ASHLEY WITTMAN, Sr., OH, MINN

KELSEY ROBINSON, Sr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, Fr., OH, NEB

Stephanie Holthus, Sr., OH, NU

DEJA McCLENDON, Sr., OH, PSU

Micha Hancock, Jr., S, PSU

KATIE SLAY, Sr., MB, PSU

ARIEL SCOTT, Sr., OH, PSU

Val Nichol, Jr., OH/S, PUR

Lauren Carlini, Fr., S., WIS

Honorable Mention

Liz McMahon, Jr., OPP, ILL

Alexis Mathews, Sr., MB, MSU

Kori Moster, Jr., LIB, MSU

Mary Pollmiller, Jr., S, NEB

Kaitlyn Leary, Sr., OH, OSU

Carly Cramer, Sr., LIB, PUR

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Abby Cole, RS, MICH

Chloe Reinig, OH, MSU

Hannah Tapp, MB, MINN

KADIE ROLFZEN, OH, NEB

Taylor Sandbothe, MB, OSU

LAUREN CARLINI, S, WIS

Haleigh Nelson, MB, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kelsey Robinson, NEB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kori Moster, MSU

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Micha Hancock, PSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Russ Rose, PSU

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Courtney Abrahamovich, ILL

Jade Henderson, IND

Alli O’Deen, IOWA

Brittany Lee, MICH

Kristen Kelsay, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Morgan Broekhuis, NEB

Katie Dutchman, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Maggie Harding, PSU

Katie Griffin, PUR

Annemarie Hickey, WIS

Big Ten Announces 2013 Postseason Volleyball Honors

Posted on December 3, 2013

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten announced its postseason volleyball awards on Tuesday, with student-athletes from four schools earning recognition following the conclusion of the 2013 regular season. Nebraska’s Kelsey Robinson has been named the Big Ten Player of the Year by a vote of the conference’s coaches, while Michigan State’s Kori Moster and Wisconsin’s Lauren Carlini were tabbed Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Penn State’s Micha Hancock earned Setter of the Year honors, while Nittany Lion head coach Russ Rose was tabbed Coach of the Year by Big Ten coaches and media.

Robinson led the Big Ten in kills (4.69) and points (5.41) per set during the conference season, helping Nebraska to the No. 8 overall seed in the NCAA Championship. The Husker senior also hit at a .349 clip on 765 total attempts. Robinson becomes the first Nebraska player to win the Player of the Year award.

Moster averaged 4.65 digs per set this season en route to being tabbed the top defensive player in the conference for the second year in a row. The Spartan junior is the only Michigan State player to have earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and just the second student-athlete to collect multiple defensive accolades, joining Minnesota’s Paula Gentil who won three straight from 2002-04.

Hancock takes home her second consecutive Big Ten Setter of the Year award. The Penn State junior led the Big Ten in assists (11.47) and service aces (.52) per set in conference play. Hancock was named Big Ten Setter of the Week five times this season.

Carlini is the third Badger to be named Freshman of the Year and the first since Claudia Rodriguez in 2000. The setter paced the Wisconsin offense, averaging 10.87 assists per set. She has also accumulated a team-high 19 double-doubles this season.

Rose earns top billing among the conference’s coaches and media for the second consecutive year after guiding Penn State to a 28-2 overall record and a 19-1 mark in Big Ten play en route to its 10^th conference title in the last 11 years. The Nittany Lions also earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Championship. Rose’s award from the coaches marks his 12^th all-time and sixth in the last seven years, while his honor from the media is his eighth in the last nine years.

Fourteen Big Ten players were tabbed All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches, with eight making the team via unanimous vote. Joining Robinson as unanimous All-Big Ten selections are Illinois’ Jocelynn Birks, Michigan State’s Lauren Wicinski, Minnesota’s Tori Dixon and Ashley Wittman, and Penn State’s Deja McClendon, Katie Slay and Ariel Scott. Rounding out the All-Conference Team are Michigan’s Jennifer Cross, Nebraska’s Kadie Rolfzen, Northwestern’s Stephanie Holthus, Penn State’s Hancock, Purdue’s Val Nichol and Wisconsin’s Carlini.

Carlini was unanimously voted to the All-Freshman Team, along with Nebraska’s Rolfzen. Michigan’s Abby Cole, Michigan State’s Chloe Reinig, Minnesota’s Hannah Tapp, Ohio State’s Taylor Sandbothe and Wisconsin’s Haleigh Nelson also appeared on the seven-player team.

The complete list of All-Big Ten honorees, individual award winners and Sportsmanship Award Honorees can be found below.

ALL-BIG TEN

JOCELYNN BIRKS, So., OH, ILL

Jennifer Cross, Sr., MB, MICH

LAUREN WICINSKI, Sr., OH, MSU

TORI DIXON, Sr., MH, MINN

ASHLEY WITTMAN, Sr., OH, MINN

KELSEY ROBINSON, Sr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, Fr., OH, NEB

Stephanie Holthus, Sr., OH, NU

DEJA McCLENDON, Sr., OH, PSU

Micha Hancock, Jr., S, PSU

KATIE SLAY, Sr., MB, PSU

ARIEL SCOTT, Sr., OH, PSU

Val Nichol, Jr., OH/S, PUR

Lauren Carlini, Fr., S., WIS

Honorable Mention

Liz McMahon, Jr., OPP, ILL

Alexis Mathews, Sr., MB, MSU

Kori Moster, Jr., LIB, MSU

Mary Pollmiller, Jr., S, NEB

Kaitlyn Leary, Sr., OH, OSU

Carly Cramer, Sr., LIB, PUR

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Abby Cole, RS, MICH

Chloe Reinig, OH, MSU

Hannah Tapp, MB, MINN

KADIE ROLFZEN, OH, NEB

Taylor Sandbothe, MB, OSU

LAUREN CARLINI, S, WIS

Haleigh Nelson, MB, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kelsey Robinson, NEB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kori Moster, MSU

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Micha Hancock, PSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Russ Rose, PSU

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Courtney Abrahamovich, ILL

Jade Henderson, IND

Alli O’Deen, IOWA

Brittany Lee, MICH

Kristen Kelsay, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Morgan Broekhuis, NEB

Katie Dutchman, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Maggie Harding, PSU

Katie Griffin, PUR

Annemarie Hickey, WIS

Huskers Host Hurricanes in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Posted on December 2, 2013

The Nebraska basketball team begins one of its biggest weeks in the non-conference schedule Wednesday night, as the Huskers play host to defending ACC Champion Miami as part of the 2013 Big Ten/ACC Challenge Presented by DICK’s Sporting Goods.

Tipoff is set for 8:35 p.m. (central) and the contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Mark Neely and Tim McCormick on the call. The game will also be available on the WatchESPN app for iOS or android devices.

Wednesday’s matchup with the Hurricanes will be carried across the state on the 27-station Husker Sports Network with Kent Pavelka and Matt Davison calling all of the action, including flagship stations KLIN (1400 AM/94.5 FM) and KFAB (1110 AM). The game can be heard for free on Huskers.com and is available on the Huskers’ app on iOS or android devices.

A very limited number of tickets are available in the 200 and 300 Levels with prices ranging from $7-$15. Visit Huskers.com or call 800-8-BIGRED for more information.

The Huskers come into Wednesday’s game with a 5-2 record following a 63-58 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon. Nebraska saw a 13-point second-half lead cut to one, but were able to hold on behind efforts from Leslee Smith and Deverell Biggs. Smith had 13 points, nine rebounds and three steals, including a key offensive rebound and putback late after NIU cut the lead to two. Biggs finished with season bests in both points (18) and rebounds (four) while going 6-of-8 from the line, including four straight free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.

It has been no surprise that Nebraska has gotten strong bench play in recent weeks since Ray Gallegos and Deverell Biggs returned to the fold on Nov. 17. Over the last five games, the Huskers are averaging 36.4 points per game off the bench. Biggs is averaging 12.0 points off the bench for the Huskers, while Gallegos is chipping in 8.0 points per game, including a team-high 12 3-pointers. Biggs is one of three Huskers averaging double figures entering Wednesday’s game, joining sophomores Terran Petteway (16.0 ppg) and Shavon Shields (12.4 pgg).

Miami comes to Lincoln with a 5-3 record after a 2-1 showing at the Wooden Legacy in Anaheim. The Hurricanes are rebuilding after graduating all five starters from a team that won 29 games and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2012-13. The Hurricanes are coming off their most impressive win of the year, overcoming a 10-point deficit to down Arizona State, 60-57, on Sunday.

Big Ten Issues Public Reprimand of Nebraska Football Head Coach Bo Pelini and Announces Institutional Fine

Posted on December 2, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten office today issued a public reprimand of Nebraska football head coach Bo Pelini for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy following Nebraska’s game against Iowa on Nov. 29, 2013. In addition, the conference announced that the institution has been fined $10,000 as a result of the violation.

The Big Ten determined that Pelini’s postgame comments regarding officials were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.” Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for student-athletes and others in areas of sportslike conduct.

“The University of Nebraska embraces and supports the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy,” said Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst. “In that regard, we were disappointed with Coach Pelini’s actions this past Friday regarding game officials. We immediately recognized and addressed the situation with Coach Pelini and the Big Ten Conference. In addition, Coach Pelini acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the inappropriateness of his actions and issued a public apology in advance of this reprimand.”

The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.

Twelve Huskers Honored by Big Ten

Posted on December 2, 2013

A dozen Nebraska players were honored by the Big Ten on Monday, earning all-conference honors as announced by the league office. Three Huskers were named first-team All-Big Ten selections by either the conference coaches or a media panel.

Junior running back Ameer Abdullah and sophomore defensive end Randy Gregory were first-team All-Big Ten selections on both the media and coaches teams. Senior defensive back Ciante Evans joined Abdullah and Gregory on the coaches All-Big Ten first team.

Abdullah has put together one of the top seasons for a running back in Nebraska history. The Homewood, Ala., native has rushed for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and finished second in the conference in rushing yards per game. His rushing total is the fifth-best in school history and the best by a Nebraska player since 1997. Abdullah recorded 10 games with 100 or more rushing yards, including seven in Big Ten Conference play.

Abdullah was honored by the Big Ten for the second straight season after earning second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.

Gregory quickly became one of the Big Ten’s top defenders in his first season in Lincoln. Gregory leads the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks, with 9.0 coming in Big Ten Conference action. Gregory also ranked second in the conference in tackles for loss at 17 and leads Nebraska with 17 quarterback hurries. He also recorded an interception for a touchdown, along with a fumble caused and fumble recovery.

Gregory’s selection marks the fifth time in Bo Pelini’s six seasons as head coach that Nebraska has had a first-team all-conference defensive lineman.

A senior captain, Evans has been the leader of the Nebraska defense this season. The Arlington, Texas native has intercepted four passes, while adding five pass breakups. Evans also has 44 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. The tackles for loss total leads all Big Ten defensive backs, and both his TFL and sack totals are Nebraska position season records.

Evans’ choice as a first-team All-Big Ten performer marks the fifth consecutive year Nebraska has had at least one first-team all-conference defensive back. Last season, Evans was an honorable-mention all-conference pick.

In addition to being a first-team choice on the coaches’ team, Evans was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the media panel. Two other Huskers earned second-team accolades on Monday. Cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste was a second-team choice on both teams, while senior center Cole Pensick earned second-team honors from the Big Ten coaches.

Baptiste ranks among the league leaders in interceptions with four and pass breakups with 11. He also recorded 35 tackles. Pensick manned the center position for the majority of the season, before splitting time between center and guard late in the season as the NU offensive line battled injuries. The offensive line paved the way for Abdullah’s outstanding season.

Six other Huskers earned honorable-mention all-conference honors on Monday. The coaches’ honorable mention all-conference list included defensive end Jason Ankrah, wide receiver Kenny Bell, safety Corey Cooper and offensive linemen Andrew Rodriguez and Jeremiah Sirles. Honorable-mention choices according to the media panel were Ankrah, Bell, Pensick, Rodriguez, Sirles and place-kicker Pat Smith. Bell and Sirles earned all-conference honors for the second straight year after both being second-team choices in 2012.

Senior fullback C.J. Zimmerer was chosen as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship honoree.

Nebraska Honorees:

First-Team All-Big Ten: IB Ameer Abdullah (Coaches and Media); DE Randy Gregory (Coaches and Media); DB Ciante Evans (Coaches)

Second-Team All-Big Ten: Evans (Media); CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Coaches and Media); C Cole Pensick (Coaches)

Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten: Pensick (Media); DE Jason Ankrah (Coaches and Media); WR Kenny Bell (Coaches and Media); OT Andrew Rodriguez (Coaches and Media); OT Jeremiah Sirles (Coaches and Media); S Corey Cooper (Coaches); PK Pat Smith (Media)

Huskers Picked to Host NCAA First and Second Rounds

Posted on December 1, 2013

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball team will spend the opening weekend of the postseason at home for the 10th straight season as the Bob Devaney Sports Center was chosen as one of 16 sites for the NCAA first and second-round play next weekend. The Huskers will be making their 32nd NCAA Tournament appearance and they will go in as the No. 8 overall seed among the 64 teams.

Play will start on Friday, Dec. 6 when the Oregon Ducks (19-11) of the Pac-12 Conference will take on the Miami Hurricanes (19-11) of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 4:30 p.m. Nebraska (23-6) will then take the court during Friday’s second match and will face the Fairfield Stags (19-12), who recently won their second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship title. The Huskers’ match will start at 7 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first match.

The second round will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., as Friday’s winners will compete for the right to move on to the Lincoln Regional the following weekend. The winner out of Lincoln will take on either San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, New Mexico State or Arizona, who will all be playing in San Diego, Calif.

Tickets for the first and second rounds in Lincoln will go on sale on Monday morning at 8 a.m. They will be available on Huskers.com, by calling the NU Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED or visiting the NU Athletic Ticket Office in person. All-session ticket prices are set at $34 (reserved A and B sections) and $30 (C section) and include the two first-round games, as well as the second-round matchup between the first-round winners.

Nebraska has never faced Fairfield. The Huskers Miami have met once, with Nebraska leading the all-time series at 1-0. The Huskers lead the all-time series with Oregon 2-1, but the Ducks ended NU’s NCAA Tournament at the Omaha Regional in 2012.

The 2013 season marks the 29th time that Lincoln has played host to first and second round competition. Last season, Nebraska hosted the first and second rounds at the NU Coliseum, where the Huskers swept UMES in the first round and Northern Iowa in the second round.

Nebraska holds a 23-6 record in 2013 and finished second in the Big Ten Conference. The Huskers are 86-28 (.754) in 31 previous NCAA Tournament appearances, ranking second among NCAA schools in both wins and winning percentage. Nebraska was one of eight Big Ten schools to qualify for the tournament.

NCAA First and Second Round Schedule
First Round – Friday, Dec. 6
4:30 p.m. | Oregon vs. Miami
7 p.m.* | Fairfield vs. Nebraska
*or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the 4:30 p.m. match

Second Round – Saturday, Dec. 7
7 p.m. | First Round Winners

2013 DI WVB Bracket is available here: https://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/volleyball-women/d1/2013

Statement from University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Bo Pelini

Posted on December 1, 2013December 1, 2013

Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini has been under fire throughout this season. He received a vote of confidence from Shawn Eichorst, UNL director of athletics, on Saturday.

The statement from Eichorst can be seen here.

Pelini thanked Eichorst for the vote of confidence and apologized for his behavior during and after Saturday’s game. The entire statement is below”

“I want to thank our administration and Shawn Eichorst in particular, for his continued and full support that he has given me and our football program since his arrival on campus. I am honored to represent this university and its great fans and I’m proud to lead this program into the future.

I apologize for reacting emotionally yesterday and for showing frustration both with the game officials and the media. I fully understand and respect their difficult jobs, and I regret any and all actions or words which may have shed a negative light on our program and university. Accountability is a core belief throughout our program, and as the head coach, I must set and maintain a high standard.

Our football staff is hitting recruiting full throttle and looking forward to the upcoming bowl game. We are committed to working with Shawn and our entire department staff to continue to build this program and bring championships back to Nebraska.”

Huskers Drop 3-1 Decision to No. 2 Penn State

Posted on December 1, 2013

Lincoln, Neb. – The No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team (23-6, 16-4) fell to the No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 24-26, 24-26) on Saturday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. In front of a season-high 8,561 fans, the Huskers honored seniors Morgan Broekhuis, Kelsey Robinson and Hayley Thramer in the regular-season finale.

Amber Rolfzen produced a career-high-tying 16 kills for the Huskers, adding 15 digs and hitting at a clip of .389. Kadie Rolfzen notched 12 kills and a match-high 18 digs, while Kelsey Robinson had 14 kills and five blocks. Mary Pollmiller dished out 46 assists on the night, while Cecilia Hall posted seven blocks.

Nebraska hit .246 for the match, while Penn State hit .255. Nebraska out-blocked the Nittany Lions 12.5-11 and out-dug PSU 55-53.

The Huskers took a 5-1 lead to start the first set, while a kill from Meghan Haggerty put NU up 10-6. PSU tied the set at 12-12, but NU took a 15-13 lead at the first media timeout. Robinson came through with two huge kills to help the Huskers to a 20-15 advantage and force Penn State to call a timeout. The Nittany Lions responded with three straight points, cutting into NU’s lead at 20-18. Nebraska held on as a kill from Robinson sealed the 25-22 first-set win.

Robinson tallied five kills in the first set, while Kadie Rolfzen had three kills. Pollmiller dished out 10 assists as the Huskers hit .241. Penn State hit .235 for the set, while NU out-blocked PSU 4.5-2.

Penn State took a 3-0 lead early in the second set, but the Huskers came back to tie the set with a double-block from Hall and Amber Rolfzen. The Nittany Lions used a 4-0 run to take a 7-4 lead and then stretched their advantage to 16-13. Nebraska clawed back, as Amber Rolfzen and Hall teamed up for a block to tie the set at 19-19 and force Penn State to call a timeout. The Huskers forced Penn State to three set points, but PSU held on to win the second set 25-23.

Robinson notched five kills in the second set, while Amber Rolfzen had four kills. Nebraska hit .333 for the set, while Penn State hit .370.

Two big plays from Pollmiller opened the third set as the Huskers took a 10-6 lead following an ace. Hall and Robinson propelled the Huskers to a 14-8 lead, but Penn State surged ahead to cut into NU’s lead at 16-13. A double-block from Melanie Keil and Robinson made it 23-20, NU, while Nebraska then came back to tie the set at 24-24 on a kill from Keil. Penn State came out on top in the third set, winning 26-24.

Amber Rolfzen notched five kills in the third set, while Kadie Rolfzen had four kills. Nebraska hit .286 in the set as Penn State hit .275. PSU out-blocked NU 3-2.

Penn State came out hot in the fourth set, but the Huskers inched back on a 3-0 run to tie the set at 5-5. Penn State responded with a 3-0 run to go up 10-7 and force Nebraska to call a timeout. A kill from Amber Rolfzen tied the set at 12-12, as she then gave NU its first lead of the set at 14-13. The Huskers and Nittany Lions traded points as a kill from Pollmiller tied the set at 16-16, while Kadie Rolfzen put NU up 20-19. Back-to-back double-blocks from Keil and Amber Rolfzen put NU up 23-20, but Penn State fought back to win the final set 26-24.

Amber Rolfzen had five kills in the fourth set, while Kadie Rolfzen notched three kills. Nebraska hit .135 for the set, as Penn State hit .175.

The Huskers will now wait until Sunday at 8:30 p.m. when the 2013 NCAA Tournament field is announced live on ESPNU.