The Huskers ran their regular-season winning streak to 30 matches and won for the 53rd straight time at home in the regular season. NU (7-0) held the 5-2 Broncos (5-2) to .072 hitting and accumulated 14 team blocks in the second four-game match of the year for the Huskers.

Elmer, whose kill total established a career best, hit a team-high .370 and contributed the Huskers' only two solo blocks of the match. Senior outside hitter Anna Schrad notched 12 kills, and freshman right-side hitter Kelsey Fautsch added 10. Senior libero Jenae Dowling led the Huskers with a career-high 21 digs, and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Saleaumua had 16 digs to go with seven kills.

It was Saleaumua who ended the match with a kill to back corner of the court after Santa Clara cut a four-point deficit to two in the final moments.

Senior middle blocker Becky Potter led the Broncos with 12 kills despite hitting .054. Sophomore outside hitter Cassie Perret added 11 kills, and senior middle blocker Becky Biniek added 10.

Nebraska held a comfortable 15-7 lead in game one before Saleaumua stepped to the service line and reeled off eight straight points, including a service ace. Junior outside hitter Ally Rebholz and Elmer each had two kills in the run, and the duo combined for a block that sparked a 5-0 run to increase the NU advantage to 27-8. The Huskers took the first game, 30-10, after Westling produced back-to-back kills.

The Huskers hit .481 in the first game, as Rebholz, senior middle blocker Sara Westling and Elmer all hit .667 or better and had at least three kills.

In game two, Nebraska struggled offensively, and after a 9-9 tie, trailed most of the way. Santa Clara led, 22-16, after Westling served into the net and freshman outside hitter Dani Mancuso committed a hitting error. Elmer then slammed a kill that started a 6-0 Husker run, tying the score at 23. But Nebraska couldn't hang on. Kelli Walsh served the final five points, including a service ace. The Broncos secured the a 30-24 game two win when Alyssa Lantz drilled an NU overpass.

The Huskers took their largest lead of game three at 24-16 after Fautsch posted a kill. The Broncos then outscored Nebraska 7-3 to close the gap to 27-23. Fautsch and Westling blocked Perret to make it 28-23, and a Santa Clara error forced game point. NU served for the game three times before finally taking a 30-26 win on a Bronco service error.

With the score tied in game four, Busboom served four straight points to give NU an 18-14 lead. Nebraska pulled away with the help of kills by Saleaumua, Elmer, and Rebholz down the stretch. The Broncos fought back, cutting the Husker's lead to 27-24, after a block and an ace serve by Potter. Rebholz stopped the run with a kill, but a Santa Clara kill and an NU hitting error made it 28-26. Fautsch pounded a kill to force game point before Saleaumua ended the match.

Saturday, the Huskers will face Michigan State at 3 p.m. Georgia Tech and Santa Clara will play at 3 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.