Lincoln, NE - Junior Luisa Sydlik had 24 assists and junior Laura Masciullo posted 10 kills to lead the way, but the Hofstra Volleyball dropped a three-set decision to Nebraska in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska. It was the 10th straight match in double figures in kills for Masciullo and the 65th straight with double-digit assists for Sydlik. Freshman Maddie Appleton led Hofstra with 13 digs. 

Hofstra saw its nine-match win streak come to an end as the Pride ends its season with a 25-8 record. Nebraska won its ninth-straight match to improve to 25-6. 

Hofstra dropped an entertaining first set, 25-19, as the Pride had an early 5-3 lead after a kill from senior Michela Rucli. The set would be tied at 11 before Nebraska used an 8-3 run to take a 19-14 advantage. Down by six, the Pride scored three straight to force a Cornhusker timeout at 21-18 but Hofstra was unable to close the game any further. 

A 5-0 run for Nebraska early in the second set pushed the Pride deficit to 10, 13-3, as the Cornhuskers jumped out to commanding advantage. Hofstra would never seriously challenge Nebraska the remainder of the stanza as the Huskers pushed their lead to 2-0 in the match. 

Nebraska would take the final set as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a sweep of the Pride. The Cornhuskers will face Missouri, which defeated Arizona in the opening match in Lincoln. 

Lauren Stivrins led Nebraska with 12 kills, while Mikaela Foecke tallied nine kills, six digs and six blocks. Nicklin Hames posted 30 assists for the Huskers. 

Four seniors played in their final match for the Pride, concluding their careers with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They include Doris Bogoje, Nanishka Perez, Rucli and Caylie Denham. 

Hofstra had just four seniors on this year's squad and will return a slew of talent in 2019 as the Pride hopes to repeat as Colonial Athletic Association champions and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. Among the Pride's returning talent include All-CAA First Team selection Masciullo, CAA Rookie of the Year and All-CAA Second Team honoree Aisha Skinner, CAA Setter of the Year and All-CAA Third Team selection Sydlik and CAA All-Rookie pick Appleton. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 0-3 all-time against Nebraska. This season's meeting marked the second straight matchup that occured in the NCAA Tournament following the contest in 2014. 
- This season was Hofstra's ninth NCAA Tournament appearance as the Pride previously made appearances in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2014. 
- Rucli concludes an incredible career in a Hofstra uniform as she totaled 1,023 career kills and 536 career blocks. She is ranked third all-time in blocks and 16th in kills. 
- Bogoje closed her career with 386 kills and 214 blocks, Denham had 625 digs and Perez notched 828 kills, 916 digs, 111 service aces and 157 blocks.