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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 18, 2005

Washington rolls to women's title

Associated Press

Washington libero Candace Lee, center, celebrates the Huskies' first national volleyball championship with her teammates.

ERIC GRAY | Associated Press

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SAN ANTONIO — Washington swept top-seeded Nebraska yesterday to win its first NCAA women's volleyball championship.

The third-seeded Huskies (32-1) won 30-26, 30-25, 30-26 for their sixth sweep in six tournament matches and their 28th in 32 overall this season.

Christal Morrison was chosen as the tournament MVP after leading Washington with 15 kills and nine digs.

Nebraska (33-2) swept five opponents in the tournament before meeting Washington.

Washington coach Jim McLaughlin said his team never talked about sweeping opponents.

"We talked about meeting a standard," McLaughlin said. "Good things happen when you do that. That's a feather in our cap, for sure."

McLaughlin is the first coach to win NCAA titles in men's and women's volleyball. He led USC to the championship in 1990.

Washington, which led the nation in hitting percentage this year, managed a .237 hitting percentage compared to Nebraska's .185. The Cornhuskers' Sarah Pavan had a match-high 16 kills.

"They just did a great job," Nebraska outside hitter Christina Houghtelling said. "They never gave up. They pursued everything."

After losing the first two games, the Cornhuskers scored five of the first six points in the third game. They led 10-7 and 15-11 before Washington forced the first tie at 18-18 and then went ahead 20-19.

It appeared Nebraska got even at 25 on Jordan Larson's block, but she was ruled for a net violation. It gave the Huskies a 26-24 lead, and the Cornhuskers were not able to rally thereafter.