Sept. 13, 2003

Final Stats

LINCOLN, Neb. - No. 5 Nebraska defeated No. 17 Michigan State here Saturday, 3-0 ( 20-30, 20-30, 24-30). The Spartans drop to 5-2 on the season, while Nebraska moves to 8-0. This marks the second consecutive season the Spartans began at 5-0 before dropping two matches.

"Nebraska is a young, talented, physical team," said MSU head coach Chuck Erbe. "Give credit to them; they play well. This weekend is a learning experience for us. We've had our weaknesses exposed and need to go home and turn those weaknesses into strengths. There was a definite improvement in our defense in the third game of the match against Nebraska. We've seen a real contrast of styles in this weekend's play."

Saturday, the Spartans had just one player in double-digit kills, as Kim Schram posted 10 in the match. Sara Villwock (Ft. Collins, Colo.) contributed eight kills on the day, including four in the first game, and 11 digs. Megan Wallin (Sarasota, Fla.) added nine kills to the Spartans' total, while Nikki Colson (Lincoln, Neb.) had 31 assists in the match. The Huskers hit .331 in the match, compared to MSU's .122, and were led by Melissa Elmer and Anna Schrad, each of whom posted 11 kills.

Nebraska won the first game, 30-20. The teams traded points early in the game and were tied at 7-7 before Nebraska went on a five-point run, leading 12-7. The Huskers never looked back, building their largest lead of 12 points at 28-16. Nebraska hit .516 (19K-3E-31TA) on balanced hitting, with five players contributing three kills and one player with four. NU also out blocked State, 2-0 and posted two service aces. Michigan State again struggled with its team attack, hitting .167 in the game (14K-8E-36TA). MSU's Schram and Villwock each had four kills in the first game. Colson contributed 13 assists.

In the second game, Nebraska posted an eight-point lead three times and though MSU cut that lead to five points each time, the Spartans could get no closer, losing 30-20. Villwock continued her strong play, adding two service aces, seven digs and one block assist in the second game. Colson contributed seven digs and eight more assists in the game.

The Spartans kept it close in the third game but could not pull out the win, dropping the game, 30-24. State was as close as 25-23 before the Huskers picked up the win. Megan Wallin (Sarasota, Fla.) contributed four kills and three digs in the game. Jenny Rood (Ada, Mich.) concluded the day with three blocks (one solo, two assists) to go along with five kills, two digs and a service ace.

In eight meetings with the Huskers, State is now 0-7-2 all-time.

Michigan State concludes its three matches at the US Bank/Arby's Classic against No. 13 Santa Clara (5-3) Sunday at noon (CDT).

NEBRASKA 3, MICHIGAN STATE 0
	1	2	3
#17 MSU	20	20	24
#5 NEBRASKA	30	30	30

TEAM ATTACK PER GAME
MSU	K	E	TA	Pct.
1	14	8	36	.167
2	14	7	50	.140
3	11	8	45	.067
TOTAL	39	23	131	.122
NEBRASKA	K	E	TA	Pct.
1	19	3	31	.516
2	20	3	50	.340
3	18	10	43	.186
TOTAL	57	16	124	.331

#MSU#