Huskies make quick work of Volunteers
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By JOHN MABRY / Lincoln Journal Star
SAN ANTONIO — It’s usually not a great night when the pregame introductions are the highlight. Tennessee junior Kelsey Fautsch received a big ovation from the many Nebraska volleyball fans in the house, but the rest of the former Husker’s night was pretty rough.
Just let the record show that Fautsch was far from the only Tennessee player to struggle against Washington in the Huskies’ three-game sweep — 30-25, 30-19, 30-21 — in the first NCAA Tournament semifinal Thursday night at the Alamodome.
Washington (31-1) put the Volunteers (25-9) away with little opposition in games two and three.
“No magic,” said Washington coach Jim McLaughlin. “We worked hard.”
The No. 3 Huskies, who will face No. 1 Nebraska for the title Saturday night, were unstoppable in game two, outhitting the 17th-ranked Vols .405 to .273.
Sophomore outside hitter Christal Morrison led the Washington attack with 18 kills for the match. Senior outside Brie Hagerty added 16. Junior setter Courtney Thompson had 54 assists.
“We were definitely in system tonight,” Morrison said, “and Courtney ran a good offense.”
Morrison had double-figure kills for the 25th time this season. With 12 kills, senior outside Sonja Tomasevic increased her school record for career kills to 1,783.
Senior middle blocker Kristen Andre was the star for Tennessee. She had 21 kills, with a .390 hitting percentage, marking the ninth straight match in which she reached double-figure kills.
Fautsch, who had four kills and eight digs, said she had a blast with her new team, which reached the NCAA semifinals for the first time in Tennessee history.
“We’re so proud of ourselves for getting this far,” she said, also noting her appreciation for the cheers from the Big Red fans. “I was happy that they were still supporting me,” she said. “It was really cool to hear that.”
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