Lincoln, Neb. – The Gophers volleyball team got its biggest victory in several seasons Friday night.
Minnesota upset No. 3 Nebraska 3-1 on its home floor before 8,515 fans at Devaney Sports Center in a match for sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference.
Daly Santana led the No. 9 Gophers (16-3, 8-1) with 23 kills and 15 digs. Three teammates also were in double figures in kills: Hannah Tapp had 17, Sarah Wilhite 11 and Molly Lohman 10.
The set scores indicated how close the match was from start to finish; Minnesota won 25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 27-25.
Two Wilhite kills ended the match.
The Gophers won the first set 25-23, getting back-to-back kills by Santana for the final two points. Neither team led by more than three points in the set, which was tied 13 times.
Minnesota led 13-9 and 15-10 in the second set before the Cornhuskers rallied for a tie at 17. The Gophers won 25-22 on a block by Lohman and Tapp.
The third set was close, too, but the Cornhuskers prevailed 26-24 on two Amber Rolfzen's kills.
