AMES, Iowa — One day, many years from now, when Kayla Banwarth reflects on her first career start, she’ll recall her 19 digs and playing before the largest crowd to ever watch a volleyball match in her home state.

“Very special,” said the grinning Iowa native after leading Nebraska to an impressive three-game win.

But two statistics few will remember from Sunday’s match — Iowa State’s seven service errors and no aces — are better indications of why Banwarth, a true freshman, is now challenging junior Rachel Schwartz to be Nebraska’s starting libero with NCAA Tournament selections only two weeks away.

Head coach John Cook said Sunday that Banwarth has “great instincts,” even comparing her feel for the game to that of two-time All-American Jennifer Saleaumua. For evidence, he pointed to two tough serves that Banwarth confidently — and correctly — called out.

“There’s a tremendous amount of communication that goes on, and they have to embrace that role,” Cook said. “For players that aren’t used to that, it’s uncomfortable for them.”

Even with Banwarth playing as a first-time starter, No. 2 Nebraska certainly appeared to be in its comfort zone. With 6,705 looking on at Hilton Coliseum, the Huskers put on a volleyball clinic in blasting the Cyclones 30-20, 30-19, 30-16.

Iowa State (15-11, 9-7 Big 12) won fewer rallies against the Huskers than any teams outside of Tennessee, Texas Tech and Baylor this season. The match was over in a mere 80 minutes.

“We’ve been on these guys for three days about coming in here and making a statement,” Cook said.

Cook, who hopped a quick flight to Ames on Saturday night after watching his daughter, Lauren, help lead Lincoln Pius X to the Class B state championship, specifically cited Nebraska’s block and defense, which limited Lauren Cummings, Iowa State’s hottest hitter of late, to only five kills in 20 swings. Offensively, Nebraska hit at a .389 clip against the league’s third-best defense.

Sarah Pavan (16 kills on 29 swings) led the Huskers’ attack.

“It’s the best we’ve played in a while,” said sophomore setter Rachel Holloway. “We were consistent throughout the whole match. We didn’t have as many letdowns as we’ve had.”

Nebraska (23-1, 15-1) has now swept back-to-back opponents on the heels of a three-match stretch where the Huskers lost at Texas and were extended to five games by both Missouri and Kansas State.

With four regular-season matches remaining, the Huskers are again tied with Texas for the Big 12 lead and remain one of only three teams in Division I with one loss this season. The others are No. 8 Florida and No. 16 Dayton.

Yet it’s apparent that Cook won’t be dissuaded from tinkering with Nebraska’s lineup. He gave Tara Mueller a shot at libero earlier this season against New Mexico State, a match in which the true freshman had eight digs.

Schwartz has started the other 22 matches, averaging 3.9 digs a game with a career high of 21 in Nebraska’s five-game win over Missouri.

Banwarth, seemingly calm and collected, said she first learned she would be wearing the white jersey only hours before Sunday’s match.

Of her 19 digs, 16 came in the first two games. Only one Husker all season — Christina Houghtelling — has had as many digs in a three-game match.

Banwarth, a former setter, added five assists on out-of-system plays and served an ace.

“I guess I just felt like a bigger part of the team,” said Banwarth, who first played a significant role in this month’s come-from-behind win at Kansas State. “Obviously, everybody is an important part of the team, but I just felt more of a connection with the other girls tonight.

“Coming back to your home state, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Sunday’s record crowd, bolstered by free admission to anyone wearing gold, included around 40 members of Banwarth’s family, many of them dressed in red “K.G.B.” T-shirts.

Those, of course, are Banwarth’s initials.

Cook said, initially, he had some apprehension about giving Banwarth her first start in front of so many friends and family, but ultimately he decided it was one she had earned.

“We think she’s going to be a real important piece here as we go down the stretch,” he said, adding that the libero jersey will “be up for grabs every day.”

Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.