Metcalf led six NU players who hit for a .333 hitting percentage or better under junior setter Greichaly Cepero, who notched 36 assists as Nebraska hit .304 overall. Sophomore outside hitter Anna Schrad posted seven kills while swinging at a .400 clip, and Laura Pilakowski also had seven kills.

Defensively, the Huskers held Iowa State (3-5 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12) to a minus -.016 hitting percentage, marking the fourth straight match in which NU has held its opponent to less than .100 at the net. NU out-blocked the Cyclones 12-1, led by five blocks - including three solo -- from junior middle blocker Amber Holmquist, and four from senior middle blocker Jenny Kropp.

“I feel like we’re finally getting back into a rhythm after the long layoff that we had before we played Colorado last week,” Nebraska Coach John Cook said. “I was very pleased with the way we played tonight.”

After the Huskers took game one, 30-21, and built a 21-9 lead in game two, Cook went to his bench. Reserves Jenae Dowling (career-high five digs), Sara Westling (career-high four kills), Pam Krejci and Ally Rebholz all saw extensive action in the second half of the match. The playing time was especially significant for Rebholz, a 6-foot-2 freshman who Cook had considered redshirting. A starter on the U.S. Junior National Team, Rebholz recorded two blocks and a dig in her first action of the season.

“Nothing could have prepared me for what it was going to be like,” Rebholz said of competing for the first time in front of the NU Coliseum crowd. “My heart is still pounding. I was so excited.”

Nebraska led, 26-13, in the second game when Rebholz stepped to the service line and reeled off three straight points to bring the Huskers to game point. NU took the 30-14 win two rallies later after an ISU attack error.

The Huskers jumped to a big lead again in game three. Their advantage grew to 13 points after a block by Cepero, and Iowa State never got closer than seven. Nebraska wrapped up the 30-19 third-game win and the match on Westling’s fifth kill of the night.

The Huskers return to action Saturday, Sept. 29, when it travels to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor. First serve at the Ferrell Center is 7 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.

---

• Coverage: Stats | Omaha World-Herald | Grand Island Indep. | Audio play-by-play