From staff reports

LOVB Houston pushed Nebraska to the limit Sunday night in Omaha, but came up just short in a five-set loss, 25-22, 35-37, 19-25, 25-21, 10-15.

Houston showed its best form of the early season, taking the opening set 25–22 with improved first-ball offense and steady play in serve-receive. The visitors stayed aggressive throughout the night and finished with a match-high 94 kills, applying constant pressure across all five sets.

The turning point came in a marathon second set. Houston created multiple opportunities to take a two-set lead but was unable to close, as Nebraska escaped with a 37–35 set win to even the match. That swing proved costly, allowing the hosts to regain momentum.

Nebraska carried that energy into the third set, pulling away late for a 25–19 win. Houston responded with composure in the fourth, tightening defensively and finding more consistency in transition to take the set 25–21 and force a deciding fifth.

In the final set, Nebraska jumped out to an early lead and leaned on its blocking presence to control the closing points, sealing the match with a 15–10 win.

Offensively, Houston was led by Jordan Thompson, who finished with a match-high 22 kills and five blocks. Jess Mruzik added 16 kills, while Amber Igiede was highly efficient in the middle, recording 11 kills on .610 hitting with three blocks.

Houston finished the night hitting at a higher efficiency than Nebraska and out-killed the hosts, but Nebraska’s 15 total blocks – including six in the final set – ultimately made the difference.

The loss drops Houston to 0–2 on the season. Houston returns to the court Thursday against Salt Lake City, looking to turn the past two competitive outings into its first win of the season.