Honolulu, Hawaii – Behind a match-high 15 kills from freshman Hannah Werth, the Nebraska volleyball team opened the spring season with an impressive 3-1 (25-23, 25-23, 16-25, 25-16) win at Hawaii Thursday night.

Werth, a freshman from Springfield, Ill., had 15 kills and five digs to lead a balanced Husker attack. She was one of three Huskers to finish in double figures in kills, as Tara Mueller had 13 kills and 11 digs while Brooke Delano had 11 kills and four blocks in her first competitive match since last November. Sydney Anderson dished out 44 assists and had four kills, seven digs and four blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs.

Werth was one of four NU players making their Husker debut on Thursday. Allison McNeal tied Delano for team-high honors with four blocks and slammed home nine kills in 12 swings, while Megan Pendergast and Jessica Yanz also saw action in the victory.

The Huskers closed sets with a flourish, using a 4-0 run in the first set to take control after trailing 20-19. In the second set, the teams were tied at 22 before Nebraska won three of the next four rallies to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.  In the finale, the Huskers trailed 23-21 before running off the final four points of the match, capped by two straight kills from Werth.

Kanani Danielson led Hawaii with 15 kills in a losing effort.

The Huskers were without returning starters Linsdey Licht and Kori Cooper, who are both recovering from surgery.

The Huskers will make their 2009 NU Coliseum debut on Saturday, April 4, when they take on NCAA Tournament qualifier Missouri State at 5 p.m. Tickets for that match are $10 (adults) and $8 (youth and seniors) and can be purchased online at Huskers.com or at the NU Ticket Office by calling 800-8-BIGRED.