Dani Busboom Kelly’s debut as the Huskers’ head volleyball coach was successful as she led Nebraska to a 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 four-set sweep of Kansas Saturday night at John Cook Arena in Lincoln. The exhibition match was extended to four sets despite the Cornhuskers winning the first three sets.
Rebekah Allick, Andi Jackson and Ryan Hunter each had 11 kills across the four sets to lead the Huskers. After notching four blocks in the first three sets, Nebraska piled up four blocks in the fourth set alone. Campbell Flynn tallied 23 set assists while Bergen Reilly notched 18 for the Huskers.
Nebraska ran four straight points to take a 7-4 lead early in the first set and led by as many as five on several occasions, including on set point. A four-point run early in the second set pushed the Huskers ahead 4-1. Nebraska’s lead grew to seven during the second set, including at set point. A four-point run early in the third set put the control in the Huskers’ hands as they led 9-6. A three-point Kansas run gave the Jayhawks a brief 15-14 lead, but Nebraska stormed back, winning eight of the next 11 rallies to secure the third set. In the fourth set, Kansas scored four straight to lead 9-5. But the Huskers won seven of the next 10 rallies to tie the match at 12. The Jayhawks won three of the next five rallies to take a 15-14 lead, but Nebraska won the next five points to lead, 19-15. Kansas won five of the next six points to tie the match at 20, but four straight NU sealed the fourth set. After back-to-back Jayhawks points, a Harper Murray kill finished off the fourth set.
The Huskers are next in action Saturday, May 3, as Nebraska heads to Ord to take on South Dakota State. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. on B-107.3.