LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Nebraska volleyball team will officially make the journey to Omaha for the NCAA Semifinals.

The fourth-seeded Huskers qualified for their first NCAA Semifinals since 2008 by beating fifth-seeded and top-ranked Washington, 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21), on Saturday at Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum.

Next Thursday, Nebraska’s 12th NCAA Semifinals appearance will occur at the same place the last two have – at the CenturyLink Center (formerly Qwest Center) in Omaha. Match times are set for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 17, though which time slot the Huskers play in will be determined after the four teams are set. Nebraska will face the winner of No. 1 USC/No. 8 Kansas. The NCAA Championship match is set for Saturday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

All-session tickets to the NCAA Championship can be purchased here while they are still available. As of last week, about 1,700 all-session tickets remained.

In the regional final, setter Kelly Hunter led the Huskers (30-4) with 46 assists, seven kills, seven digs and six blocks. Hunter’s distribution and timely attacks keyed Nebraska’s surge to Omaha.

Kadie Rolfzen had 20 kills and 15 digs for her ninth straight postseason double-double, while Amber Rolfzen had nine kills, eight blocks and four digs. On the pins, Mikaela Foecke had 11 kills and Kelsey Fien had 10. Justine Wong-Orantes led the strong Husker back row again with 18 digs. Kenzie Maloney had seven, and Annika Albrecht added five.

Nebraska beat Washington in nearly every statistical category, including hitting (.296 to .204), blocks (12 to 11), digs (61 to 49) and service aces (seven to five).

Washington (31-3) was led by Lianna Sybeldon’s 15 kills and six blocks.

— NU Athletics —