Friday, September 13
Omaha, Neb.
6:00 PM
Creighton University
4-2
3
vs
0
Nebraska-Omaha
5-3
1
2
3
F
Nebraska-Omaha
15
15
22
0
Creighton
25
25
25
3
Naomi Hickman
Photo by: Catherine Grosdidier
Volleyball Sweeps Omaha For Booth's 350th Win at Creighton
9/13/2019 8:11:00 PM | Volleyball
Creighton controls first match at Division level vs. UNO
OMAHA, Neb. -- The No. 17 Creighton Volleyball team opened its 2019 home schedule with a 3-0 sweep crosstown rival Nebraska-Omaha at the Bluejay Invitational Presented by Embassy Suites - Old Market/Downtown. The win was Kirsten Bernthal Booth's 350th as Creighton head coach, and the 88th different school she's beaten as coach of the Bluejays.
Scores of the match were 25-15, 25-15, 25-22.
Erica Kostelac had 10 kills in her home debut to lead all players, while Brittany Witt finished with 10 digs. Reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week Naomi Hickman had three service aces and Megan Ballenger led CU with three blocks. The Bluejays had 34 kills, eight aces, 37 digs and five blocks on .262 hitting.
UNO was led by nine kills by Claire Leonard. Claire Mountjoy added 10 digs and Rylee Marshall finished with a match-high six blocks. The Mavericks had 24 kills, four aces, 33 digs and six blocks on .023 hitting.
Creighton wasted no time building a lead in its home opener. Back-to-back kills by Kostelac started the match, and Hickman served consecutive aces as CU quickly went ahead 4-0. The lead reached 10-3 as Creighton never trailed in the 25-15 victory. Kostelac and Jaela Zimmerman each had four kills in the opening set, and Creighton held UNO to four kills and -.056 hitting.
Creighton would build a 10-4 lead in the second set and hit .400 to win an identical 25-15 frame.
The Mavericks led most of the third set before a late Bluejay rally. Creighton overcame an 18-14 deficit with a 5-0 run on Brittany Witt's serve to take a 19-18 lead. The Mavericks got a sideout before three straight UNO errors pushed the Bluejay margin to 22-19. Kostelac closed out the match the same way she started it, with a kill.
Creighton has a pair of matches on Saturday. The Jays host Drake at Noon before welcoming No. 12 Washington at 7:30 p.m.
NOTES: Creighton true freshmen Kiana Schmitt and Makenna Krause made their Bluejay debuts in the second set ... Creighton improved to 25-15 all-time at the Bluejay Invitational .. Creighton improved to 12-5 in home openers under Kirsten Bernthal Booth, and are now 9-2 in its first home match of the season at D.J. Sokol Arena ... Former Creighton setter Jaclyn Taylor had four assists and a dig in one set of action for the Mavericks ... Washington swept Drake in the first match of the day.
Team Stats
OMAHA
CU
Kills
24
34
Errors
22
12
Attempts
88
84
Hitting %
.023
.262
Points
34.0
47.0
Assists
21
34
Aces
4
8
Blocks
6.0
5.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB/RS
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballOH
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