LINCOLN, Neb. – The Fighting Illini volleyball team ran into a talented Nebraska team as the No. 5 Huskers earned a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-16, 25-16) over the Orange and Blue on Wednesday night (Nov. 25) in the Devaney Center.
With the setback, the Illini fall to 19-11 and 10-9 in the Big Ten, while the Huskers improve to 25-4 and 16-3 in league standings.
The Illini jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the opening set and pushed their advantage out to 10-6, but the Huskers used a 9-2 run to battle back for the 15-12 lead. A Jocelynn Birks kill stopped the Nebraska momentum for a short moment as the Huskers put together nine-straight points for the 24-14 edge. The Illini saved two set points on kills from Birks and Michelle Strizak, but would not be able to save the third as the Huskers took set one, 25-16.
It was a similar story to start the second set, but this time it was the Huskers who jumped out to a 4-1 edge, before taking control at 12-5. The Illini closed within 13-8 on a Katie Roustio kill, but the Huskers continued their balanced attack to take an 18-11 advantage, before finishing off the set at 25-16.
Despite the deficit, the Illini came out fighting in the third and kept things close with the Huskers with an early 4-4 tie. Leading 6-5, the home team scored four-straight points to get some distance at 10-5, before pushing its advantage to 17-10. Another 5-0 run from the home team then made the score 22-11. Trailing 24-12, the Illini saved four-straight match points before the Huskers sealed the win with a 25-16 set three victory.
Birks led the Illini with 12 kills on the night, while Roustio added five off the bench.
Freshman setter Jordyn Poulter totaled 19 assists, while classmate Ali Bastianelli paced the team with five blocks.
Sophomore Brandi Donnelly registered a match-high 17 digs in the loss.
The Illini will now head to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face Michigan in their regular season finale on Friday at 5 p.m. CT in Cliff Keen Arena.
For more Fighting Illini volleyball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow the team on Twitter @IlliniVBall or like Fighting Illini Volleyball on Facebook.
