Spring Break
Cornhuskers defeat Aggies 3-2 despite strong start
By: Michael Teague
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Sports
|
A&M is now 10-14 overall and 5-9 in the Big 12 conference.
"Overall it was a really successful night for us," said A&M Head Coach Laurie Corbelli. "We've been on a roller coaster ride with our confidence and momentum. I felt like tonight was one of those nights where we never backed off."
Juniors Mary Batis and Sarah Ammerman led the Aggies offensively. Batis recorded 15 kills and 11 digs and Ammerman picked up 21 digs and led the team with 20 kills. Ammerman scored her first double-double of the 2008 season.
Defense sparked A&M's attempt at an upset. Junior Jennifer Banse scored 20 digs and freshman Kelsey Black scored a
career-high 23 digs. Black was named the starting libero for the fourth consecutive match.
"Its different because it's the Big 12 and everybody is good," Black said. "Especially in a game like tonight, you just go out and do your best."
The Aggies began the match on the offensive. Batis and Ammerman combined for 11 kills in the first set while A&M held Nebraska to a .105 hitting percentage. After falling down to a 12-5 lead early, the Cornhuskers pulled back to an 18-18 tie, but four kills by Batis in the final nine points gave A&M a 1-0 lead.
"This may be the toughest serving team in the nation," Corbelli said about Nebraska's offense. "It's their reputation. It's a better serving team than last year's top team. This group is much tougher all around. Every rotation you're getting bullets."
The Nebraska defense, ranked first in the Big 12 for opponent's hitting percentage, held A&M to a .02 hitting percentage in the second set. Senior Amanda Gates took over offensively and scored five of Nebraska's 13 kills. The Cornhuskers cruised to a 25-17 win.
Following the break, Nebraska came out on the attack. The Cornhuskers took a 9-3 lead and did not surrender it. An
eight-point run gave them a 17-6 lead, which the Aggies could not overcome. Nebraska won the set 25-14.
A&M recovered in the fourth set. With an 8-6 lead, the Aggies scored six consecutive points before Nebraska responded with a four-point run. A&M pulled ahead of the Cornhuskers and won the match 25-20 thanks to a solo block by Batis.
There were seven ties and three lead changes in the fifth and deciding set. A block by senior Kelsey Bryant tied the match at 10-10 before Nebraska pulled ahead 13-10. The Cornuskers overwhelmed the Aggies, winning 15-13.
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com