Schrad and Pilakowski hit .588 and .348, respectively, under the direction of Greichaly Cepero. The senior setter posted 32 assists, six blocks and six kills on a .417 percentage to lead NU to a .394 team hitting percentage. Senior Amber Holmquist was the fourth Husker to hit .340 or higher, as she tallied eight kills while swinging at a .533 clip.

Holmquist also posted seven blocks to lead NU to a 15-4 advantage over the Buffaloes in that category. NU held Colorado to .092 at the net.

“What you saw tonight was a very good team beating up on a team that’s not so good,” Colorado Coach Pi’i Aiu said. “I don’t think we played very well.”

But it was the Huskers who struggled early. Nebraska had just one block in game one, as CU’s Monique Gerlach produced six kills while swinging at a .667 clip. The Huskers eventually took a 30-23 win after a kill by freshman middle blocker Melissa Elmer.

“Colorado came out at a tempo much faster than we prepared for,” NU Coach John Cook said. “Not having a second setter in practice (with the injury to Michelle Lynch) hurt us in our preparation. We couldn’t simulate what Colorado’s offense would be like. So we weren’t generating any points at first. Colorado was really sharp coming out, and we were a step behind.”

The Husker blockers got back on track in game two, producing eight stops and forcing Gerlach to commit three errors. Colorado cut Nebraska’s lead to 24-23 with a kill by Gerlach, but Pilakowski recorded a kill and then a service ace to open the lead to three. Pilakowski served four straight points to bring the Huskers to game point. The Buffaloes’ Kim Taskey answered with a kill, but Schrad produced her only kill of game two to wrap up a 30-24 win for NU.

“That’s what you look for with seniors,” Cook said. “Laura stepped up with her serve. More experienced players sense when they need to step up, and she did.”

Nebraska was never seriously threatened in the third game. NU out-hit CU .455 to -.045 in game three, while out-blocking the Buffaloes 6-1. The Huskers took a 30-16 win on a kill by sophomore outside hitter Ally Rebholz.

The Huskers return to action Sunday, Oct. 6, when they face No. 25 Texas A&M at 2 p.m. in College State, Texas.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.