Considering that colleagues considered Russ Rose crazy before signing Penn State up for this weekend’s College Volleyball Showcase, getting out of Omaha with a victory this weekend was a big deal for the Nittany Lions’ longtime coach.

Penn State, ranked No. 5 in the preseason coaches’ poll, swept No. 4 Hawaii 30-27, 30-26, 30-18 in Saturday’s consolation match at Qwest Center Omaha. Today, the Nittany Lions travel on to Honolulu, where they’ll face No. 7 Southern California and Hawaii in tournament play this weekend.

Once back from Hawaii, the Nittany Lions will return to Nebraska to face the top-ranked Huskers in the Players Challenge.

Rose said the schedule was designed as a reward for seniors Sam Tortorello and Kaleena Walters. By the time nonconference play is complete, Penn State will have played before several of the largest crowds of the season.

“Plus, we’ll know what it’s like to play against the top teams in their gymnasiums,” Rose said. “That ought to fast-forward the development of my freshmen.”

Melissa Walbridge led Penn State with 14 kills and freshmen Nicole Fawcett and Christa Harmotto each had 13 against Hawaii.

Playing without two injured starters, Hawaii got 14 kills from Victoria Prince.

— TOP-FIVE NEWS: The Huskers’ sweep of No. 4 Hawaii on Friday represented Nebraska’s first win against  a top-five opponent since defeating then fifth-ranked Hawaii in the 2001 NACWAA Classic in Stockton, Calif. Since that victory, the Huskers were 0-4 against top-five teams, losing to No. 2 Stanford in 2001, No. 3 Southern California and No. 2 Hawaii in 2002 and No. 5 Kansas State in 2003.

— ALL-TOURNAMENT: Nebraska’s Christina Houghtelling was named most outstanding player of the Showcase and was joined by teammate Melissa Elmer on the all-tournament team. Other selections were Stanford’s Cynthia Barboza and Kristen Richards, Penn State’s Harmotto and Tortorello and Prince of Hawaii.

— NEXT UP: Nebraska returns to action Friday and Saturday at the Sports Imports Classic in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskers face 12th-ranked Ohio State and Michigan in back-to-back weekend matches, then travel to No. 6 Minnesota for a showdown on Labor Day.