No. 1 Cornhusker volleyball squad begins postseason run against Alabama A&M

Thursday, December 1, 2005
Christina Houghtelling

LINCOLN -- Nebraska returns home to the NU Coliseum this week, as the Huskers host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament this weekend in Lincoln.

The Huskers (28-1, 19-1 Big 12) were chosen as the tournament's overall No. 1 seed and will take on SWAC champion Alabama A&M (15-11, 7-1 SWAC) in the first round at 7 p.m. Friday.

That contest is the second match of the evening, as Duke (23-7, 17-5 ACC) takes on American University (25-9, 13-1 Patriot League) in the other opening-round contest, which is set for 5 p.m.

The winners of Friday's matchups will square off on Saturday to earn a spot in the Omaha Regional at the Qwest Center.

All of Nebraska's postseason contests will be carried on selected Pinnacle Sports Network affiliates, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KFAB 1110 AM in Omaha, and on the Internet at Huskers.com.

Live stats and other tournament information is also available at the site, as well as comprehensive coverage heading into Friday's matchups.

The Huskers, who remained No. 1 in the AVCA/CSTV Coaches poll, look to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season to No. 11 Texas on Saturday in Austin.

In that match, the Huskers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only to see the Longhorns rebound to hand NU its second road loss in conference play under sixth-year Head Coach John Cook.

Did You Know?

* NU makes its 24th straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005.

* The Huskers are 39-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament at the Nebraska Coliseum.

* Nebraska has won its last 29 home matches, including all 14 in 2005.

* Melissa Elmer is the first player in Big 12 history to record 200 or more blocks in consecutive seasons.

* Jennifer Saleaumua has three of the four highest single-season dig averages in school history.

* NU has hit .350 or better in 13 of 28 matches this season.

Worth Noting

* Nebraska is making its 24th NCAA tournament appearance, a total that ranks fourth among NCAA programs. NU ranks third all-time among Division I programs in NCAA tournament wins (59) and winning percentage (.738).

* According to research compiled by Rich Kern, Nebraska's 17-1 record against NCAA qualifiers is the best of any school in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers' 18 matches against NCAA qualifiers is also the most of any school.

Nebraska was one of seven Big 12 teams selected for the NCAA Tournament, the highest total among any conference.

* Friday's match will be the 70th consecutive sellout at the NU Coliseum. Nebraska is 64-5 at home during its Coliseum sellout streak.

* NU owns a 29-match home winning streak, which also includes seven wins over ranked teams.

* NU has now spent 54 weeks all-time at No. 1 in the AVCA poll, the most weeks at No. 1 of any Division I program.

The state of Nebraska has the No. 1 teams in Division I (Nebraska) and Division II (Nebraska-Kearney), as the Lopers are 36-1 and host the national championships this weekend.

OH - No. 3 Christina Houghtelling: 6-2, jr., Cambridge -- One of three first-team All-Big 12 selections, Houghtelling has been one of the nation's top outside hitters in 2005.

She comes into the NCAA Tournament averaging 3.65 kills, 2.47 digs and 1.01 blocks per game, ranking among the Big 12 leaders in hitting percentage (.360, sixth) and kills (3.65, 10th).

She has led Nebaska in kills 10 times and has hit over .400 in 15 of NU's 29 matches.

Houghtelling has five double-doubles in 2005, including a 14-kill, 13-dig effort at No. 11 Texas on Nov. 26.

She had a double-double with 19 kills and set career highs with 20 digs and six blocks against Kansas State on Nov. 19 and had 14 kills on .591 hitting against Colorado on Nov. 26.

Houghtelling is hitting .401 over NU's last eight matches, averaging 3.93 kills and 2.55 digs per game in that stretch.

She starred in NU's win at OU on Sept. 28, delivering a career-high 20 kills and hitting .404. Houghtelling has earned all-tournament honors two times, including MVP honors of the AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase, where she averaged 4.83 kills on .404 hitting, 2.33 digs and 1.67 blocks per game in wins over No. 4 Hawaii and No. 3 Stanford.

Houghtelling spent the summer in the USA Volleyball training program, competing with the A-2 National Team in Switzerland.

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