Kearney, Neb. - The 5th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team got off to a quick start and then held off 14th-ranked Wayne State, 3-1 (-15, -14, 21-25, -17), Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (29-1) stretches its win streak to 23 in a row, sixth best in school history, and improves to 67-7 all-time against the Wildcats (24-6).

A key Central region matchup, a crowd of 2,246 watched UNK lead the first two sets from start to finish. Wayne's first lead of the night came at the start of the third set, thanks to a Loper service error.

The 'Cats turned to its defense to come back in the match, digging up 27 balls in the third set alone after having just 28 over the first two sets. For the night, Wayne also out blocked the Lopers, 11-7.

UNK eventually overcame the tough Wayne "D" to register 63 kills, almost 30 more then the 'Cats (38). The Lopers hit a solid .267 while WSC was just at a .074 clip.

Head coach Rick Squiers comments

Moment of the Match
UNK broke a 10 all tie in the 4th set with a 8-3 run that featured two kills from outside Shelby Workman and kills from middle Nikki Scott and right side Kelsey Werner. Wayne didn't get closer then four points the rest of the way

Lopers of the Match
Erica Burson (Sr., OH, Gross Catholic) - 17 kills, .289 attack pct., 4 digs, 2 solo blocks
Scott (Sr., MH, Broken Bow) - 16 kills, .438 attack pct., 3 digs
Jeri Walkowiak (Jr., MH, Grand Island) - 7 kills, 14 digs (tying career-high), 5 blocks (3 solo)
Cola Svec (Jr., S, Elkhorn) - 54 assists, 13 digs, 2 kills
Workman (Jr., OH, Loveland, Colo.) - 14 digs, 3 kills (all in the 3rd set)
Katlyn Heiserman (Jr., L, Manchester, Ia.) - 20 digs

Opponent Notes
Outside Tali Fredrickson had 10 digs, 8 kills, 3 blocks
Middle Jennifer Hefner had 9 kills, 7 blocks
Libero Leigh Connot had 24 digs

Up Next
UNK hosts Chadron State Friday night and Colorado Mines Saturday afternoon