Volleyball team gets its workout taming Bears

Confidence and finishing power.

The Cornhuskers had both Wednesday night. Nebraska flexed its newly grown muscle, defeating Baylor 28-26, 25-17, 25-17.

"It definitely separates us from the middle of the Big 12," NU setter Sydney Anderson said of the win. "Baylor was right there (in the standings) and winning this, it's giving us the confidence that we're up for winning the Big 12."

Weeks ago, NU volleyball coach John Cook said his team would need to develop the ability to fight through tough situations. After Nebraska lost to Texas A&M and Texas consecutively, Cook said his team's composure was simply a muscle that had yet to be matured and worked.

Getting back into the Lone Star State, Nebraska took the Bears by storm. The conditioned Big Red brawn was flexed during a rally back from a six-point deficit when the Huskers faced a 21-24 game point in the first set.

"I honestly didn't know we were that far behind," Anderson said. "I think we were just playing point by point, going after, going up and putting the ball away. I really think our team was just going one play at a time and playing for each other."

Nebraska rallied to win the set, and from then on, the 19th-ranked Bears gave little resistance, allowing the Huskers to maintain their momentum throughout the second and third sets.

NU recorded a team hitting percentage of .300 or better for the fourth time this season. The charge was once again led by freshman outside hitter Hannah Werth who hit .379, dropping in 13 kills and scooping up 12 digs.

More impressively, though, was the balance of Nebraska's offense. Middle blockers Kori Cooper and Brooke Delano both recorded 10 kills, while Lindsey Licht (9) and Tara Mueller (8) provided the final bulk of NU's scoring.

Anderson said she has worked on spreading the ball to her teammates all season, while improving the rhythm of the offense.

"The chemistry and the flow on the court feels a lot more like a team," Anderson said. "I think you can really only get better."

Cook said Tuesday that his team has worked to win games and play as a team. The work is starting to show. Nebraska has jumped out to a 5-2 record in conference play.

After the match, Cook emphasized his team was able to make adjustments throughout the contest because the Huskers practiced hard during the week leading up to the trip to Waco.

"We always train tougher than what we're going to see in a match," Cook said. "Sometimes (our opponents) lose their confidence. I think that's what paid off for us tonight."

The adjustments allowed NU to continue a perfect all-time record against the B ears, extending the streak to 28-0.

Before Baylor's loss to Nebraska, the Bears' had only dropped matches to No. 2 Texas and No. 22 Texas A&M. The win gives the Huskers an important edge in the Big 12 Conference standings; something Cook said made the game even more important.

"I'm really happy for our team," Cook said. "We had two tough days of practice, and we prepared really hard for Baylor because we knew this was a key match for us against a ranked team on the road in the Big 12.

"We've talked about separating, and they prepared really hard."

davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com