Husker spikers reach Final Four

SEATTLE (AP) -- The fourth-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers didn't take the easy road in winning the NCAA volleyball West Regional and advancing to the third final four appearance in four seasons on Saturday night.

Nebraska (31-2) had to dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole just to force a fifth set. They then had to come back from a 9-3 deficit in the final frame in order to outlast the fifth-seeded Washington Huskies 15-13 and advance to face top-seeded, undefeated Penn State in the final four in Omaha on Thursday.

"It was the most incredible comeback I've ever seen in volleyball," Nebraska head coach John Cook said.

It was the second time in three years Nebraska has comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win a regional final. The Huskers rallied to a five-set victory over Minnesota in the East Regional final enroute to winning the 2006 National Championship.

After falling behind 9-3 in the fifth set of the match, Nebraska went on a 9-0 run behind senior Jordan Larson to take a 12-9 lead over Washington. The Huskies battled back, scoring four of the next five points to even the match at 13-13.

But a missed shot by Kindra Carlson and an ace by senior Jordan Larson capped off the rally and gave Nebraska the 15-13 victory.

"I was just praying to God that serve went over the net," Larson said.

Larson finished the match with 21 kills and two aces including the game-clinching point.

"They served tough and we gave up some points," Washington head coach Jim McLaughlin said of Nebraska's comeback. "We didn't control the ball like we usually do."

Washington finished the first set on an 8-2 run, with Airial Salvo capping it off with an ace to give the Huskies a 25-14 win.

Salvo led Washington with 15 kills. Jessica Swarbrick added 12 kills and a .450 hitting percentage to lead all performers.

Nebraska had a 16-13 lead in the second set, largely due to six kills from Tara Mueller.

But the Huskies rallied and were ahead 23-22 when a Mueller serve missed long, and a block by Bianca Rowland won the set for Washington, 25-23, to give them a two set advantage.

"I think we were kind of tentative in games one and two," Larson said. "I think we finally started serving to zones and being aggressive with our serves and I think that really became a factor."

In the third set, Larson accounted for four of Nebraska's first eight points as the Huskers jumped out to an 8-5 lead.

The cushion held for most of the set with Washington never getting within three points of Nebraska, which won 25-17.

Nebraska withstood a late rush by Washington in the fourth set to even the match at two sets apiece. Trailing 22-15, Salvo scored five points in an 8-1 Huskies run to even the score.

After trading the next two points, Larson and an ace from Kayla Banwarth gave the fourth set to the Huskers, 26-24.

Mueller was named most valuable player of the West Regional. Her 24 kills and .231 hitting percentage led the Huskers.

Nebraska will play Penn State, a 3-0 winner over California in its regional title game, in Thursday's second national semifinal, set for 8 p.m. central time.

Stanford and Texas will meet in Thursday's first national semifinal, set for 6 p.m.