Pilakowski tallied a season-high 19 kills on 35 attacks The 6-1 outside hitter also posted 11 digs.

Holmquist, who had 14 kills, added seven blocks, including her school-record breaking 503rd career block assist in midway through game two, and extended the record to 506 by the end of the match. Former NU All-American Stephanie Thater set the previous record of 502 in 1992.

Other Huskers with notable numbers were freshman outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua (career-best 20 digs), senior libero Lindsay Wischmeier (tied career-best with 18 digs) and senior setter Greichaly Cepero, who produced four kills, 46 assists, seven digs and five blocks while leading NU to a .322 hitting percentage. The Huskers out-blocked Santa Clara 14-2.

Becky Potter led Santa Clara with 19 kills, and she was one of just three Broncos to hit higher than .200.

Nebraska led 24-21 in game one after Cepero put up a solo block on Kim McGiven. But the Broncos battled back and tied the score at 25, 26, and 27 before Melissa Elmer slammed down a kill to give NU a 28-27 lead. The teams exchanged kills to make it 29-29. Anna Schrad regained control for Nebraska with a kill down the line, but Megan Johnston responded with a kill, tying the score once more.

After three more ties, Cepero tipped a shot to a hole in the Santa Clara defense to give the Huskers a 34-33 advantage. Cepero served long on the next play to even the score again, but 34-34 would be the final tie of the game. Elmer pounded a kill down the middle to force a game-point situation, and Schrad and Elmer combined to block Erin Cobler to secure the 36-34 victory.

The match marked just the second time since rally scoring was implemented in 2001 that Nebraska has scored 36 points in a single game.

In game two, Nebraska held a one-point lead before Holmquist combined with Jennifer Saleaumua for a record-breaking block of Cassie Perrett. The Huskers quickly built a six-point lead, and Santa Clara never pulled within closer than three points of Nebraska the rest of the way. Holmquist claimed the 30-24, second-game win for NU with her 10th kill of the night.

The Huskers built a 14-5 lead in game three and were never seriously threatened.

Nebraska will continue action in the US Bank/Arby’s Classic tomorrow when it faces Alabama at 10 a.m. and Michigan at 5 p.m. Michigan and Alabama will also play at 10 a.m., while Santa Clara and Alabama will conclude the tournament with a 7 p.m. match Saturday.

Nebraska Coach John Cook
On the Match: The first game was great. It was very exciting, great volleyball. Santa Clara played a phenomenal first game. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen so many long rallies”

On Potter: “I know Santa Clara prepared hard for us, and we prepared hard for them. We couldn’t stop Potter in game one. We did everything. We got Anna Schrad on her and that slowed her down. She’s just a great hitter. She had 12 kills in the first game, and she makes it difficult to defend.”

Santa Clara Coach Jon Wallace on Nebraska: “This is a great place to play. Nebraska is so respectful and courteous to both teams.”

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.