November 05, 2003
No. 21 Texas A&M saw its seven-match winning streak come to an end as No. 10 Nebraska handed the Aggies a 30-22, 30-24, 30-19 loss in front of 2,766 tonight at G. Rollie White Coliseum.
The Huskers, who defeated A&M for the ninth consecutive meeting, won their sixth straight match overall to improve to 21-3 for the full season and 12-2 in Big 12 Conference play. A&M falls to 17-6, 9-4.
The Aggies held a 10-6 lead in the opening game, but Nebraska fought back to take the lead at 12-11. The Huskers increased their lead to five, 21-16, but A&M managed to get within 23-22 following a three-point scoring run. Nebraska, however, quickly closed out the game with seven unanswered points. Five of the Huskers' final seven points were the result of A&M attack errors, and the Aggies finished the game with a season-low -.023 hitting percentage.
Another seven-point Husker rally spelled doom for the Aggies in Game 2. A&M held a 17-15 advantage when Nebraska erupted for seven unanswered points. A&M got with three at 23-20, but could not overcome the deficit before Anna Schrad put down one of her seven kills of the match to end the game.
A&M held its only lead of Game 3 when Nebraska led off with a service error. The Huskers tied the score on a Jennifer Saleaumua kill and then took the lead on an A&M attack error. The Aggies tied the game five times before Nebraska took the lead for good at 8-7 on a Sara Westling ace.
A&M stayed within striking distance and trialed 18-15 before the Huskers pulled away and closed out the game and the match by outscoring the Aggies, 12-4.
Nebraska hit .315 for the match and posted 14.5 blocks while holding A&M to a season-low .102 hitting percentage. A&M posted three blocks to tie a season low.
Saleaumua led the Huskers with 13 kills while hitting at a .344 clip. Middle blocker Melissa Elmer, who entered the match ranked fifth in the nation in block average, posted 10 blocks, and Amanda McCormick led in digs with 14.
Laura Jones was the only A&M player to reach double figures in kills with 13. Melissa Munsch led the team in digs with 11. Beth Skypala, who has been out of action since Oct. 22 with a shoulder injury, returned to the lineup midway through the second game and finished with five kills.
The Aggies return to action Saturday as they play host to Oklahoma on Scout Night. First serve is at 7 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum, and all scouts and scout leaders in dressed in uniform will be admitted free.