Wildcats Battle But Fall Short, 3-1, to No. 4 Huskers

Manhattan - After Kansas State took game one, 30-28, Nebraska used late runs in the final three games to pull away as the No. 4 Huskers knocked off the No. 16 Wildcats, 28-30, 30-21, 30-25, 30-23, Wednesday night before a season-high 2,123 fans at Ahearn Field House.

With the loss, Kansas State fell to 11-6 overall and 5-3 in Big 12 play, while Nebraska improved to 14-1 and 8-0. With the Wildcats’ loss and a 3-0 Texas win over Missouri, Kansas State remained in a tie for third place in the Big 12 standings at 5-3 with the Missouri Tigers.

Sandy Werner led the charge offensively with 14 kills, while Vali Hejjas countered with 12 and Lisa Martin 11. Gabby Guerre recorded her fifth double-double of the season after dishing out 45 assists and picking up 13 digs. Freshman Angie Lastra collected 17 digs on the night, while three Wildcats recorded two service aces.

Game one looked good from K-State’s perspective as the Wildcats battled the Huskers point for point early on. A Werner kill and a Guerre ace gave Kansas State a 13-10 midway through game one. Nebraska battled back and neither team took a lead greater than three points as the Wildcats tied the game at 28 on another Werner kill. Then, a Guerre kill and a Husker attack error closed out the game for Kansas State, 30-28. Both teams hit .250 for the game.

Game two looked to be the same midway through as neither team grabbed a substantial lead. After K-State tied the game at 18 on a Lisa Martin kill, Nebraska went on a 13-3 run to take game two, 30-21, and tie the match at 1-1. The Huskers outhit Kansas State, .316 to .184, for the game. It was deja vu in game three as a Guerre dump shot tied the game at 22. But, Nebraska, scoring several points on tip shots, then went on an 8-3 run late in the game to win game three, 30-25.

It looked as if K-State would force a deciding fifth game as the Wildcats jumped out in game four to take a 15-12 lead before extending that margin to 19-13. But, Nebraska had one more run as the Huskers stormed back and went on an 18-4 run, thanks to five Wildcat attacking errors and one service error, to take the match at 30-23. The Huskers hit .459 for the game to the Wildcats’ .175.

Wednesday’s match between the Wildcats and Huskers will be televised on Sunday, October 17 at 3 p.m. CT as Fox Sports Midwest will carry the match. Kansas State returns to action Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas, as the Wildcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders will square off in a 7 p.m. match.

No. 4 Nebraska  28 30 30 30
No. 16 Kansas State 30 21 25 23

–KSU–