Purdue Loses in Three to Nebraska

With few matches left that can shake up the Big Ten standings (more on this scheduling dilemma here) Purdue (19-6, 9-4) needed to win in Lincoln to keep their remote hopes of finishing first in the conference alive. Unfortunately Purdue couldn’t do it and got handled by the Huskers in a three game sweep.

After letting the set get away from them Purdue rallied to make it close at the finish but they couldn't complete their comeback. The first 20 points of the match were split between the teams. A couple of Nebraska errors gave Purdue a 13-11 lead but it quickly vanished. Nebraska went on a 11-2 run to go up 22-15. Purdue was able to cut the margin at three but it wasn't til Nebraska had set point. Purdue ended up losing 25-21.

Again in the second Nebraska shut the door on Purdue late in the set. Purdue got down 9-6 early in the set. It wasn't til a back-to-back Husker errors that Purdue was able to take the lead 17-16. Purdue didn't hang on to the lead for long. Nebraska came right back though with the help of some Purdue hitting errors. Later Purdue tied the score at 20 but Nebraska went on to score five of the next seven to secure the win, 25-22. Nebraska had seven blocks in the set.

A big run down the stretch proved to be the difference maker in the third. Purdue was up 7-5 when Nebraska began their 8-1 run that got them the lead. The Boilers cut the margin to one twice but never were able to tie the score. Nebraska got to match point on a 8-3 run and finally clinched it on their third match point; the Huskers won 25-20.

Annie Drews led Purdue with 12 kills. Sam Epenesa also put down 10. Danielle Cuttino had three solo blocks. Amanda Neill posted 11 digs. Val Nichol had 25 assists.

Purdue hit .098; Nebraska put up 17 blocks in the match. Meghan Haggerty assisted on 10 of the blocks.

Up next Purdue faces Iowa Saturday.