Kearney, Neb. – The 9th ranked University of Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team defeated in-state foe Chadron State, 3-1, (-17, -10, 22-25, -10), Tuesday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK improves to 16-3 and 8-0 in the RMAC while the Eagles fall to 2-14 and 1-7 in the RMAC.

With tonight's win, Kearney has won 50 straight matches over Chadron, dating back to 1983 season. This also marked head coach Rick Squiers 200th RMAC regular season victory (200-17). 

In set one, Chadron took a 2-0 lead which turned out to be its only advantage in the set. UNK stormed back with sophomore outside Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) serving up seven straight points to make it a five point Loper lead.

The Eagles would get within five points midway through the set, 15-10. However, UNK outscored CSC 10-7 the rest of the way with senior outside Kelsey Werner (Grand Island) having six kills in the set.

UNK continued to play well as senior setter Cola Svec (Elkhorn) and senior libero Katlyn Heiserman (Manchester, Iowa) each served wellt to make it a 7-3 score early in the second set.

Later on, Svec pushed the UNK lead to 22-8 as she served nine straight points, including two aces.

Set three brought a different Loper lineup to the court and that led to 12 ties and five lead changes. The teams traded points most of the way before the Eagles grabbed a 23-22 lead on the strength of a Mollie Jones kill.

An unforced Loper error and a kill from Jessica Jester gave Chadron its first set victory in the Health & Sports Center since 1996.

The Eagles momentum didn't last song as UNK, behind Svec's serving, grabbed a 6-0 lead to start the fourth set. Sophomore outside Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) then served up six straight to make it 13-1 Lopers and the route was back on.

UNK had four players with double digits in kills, led by Sokowlowski (13) and  freshman outside Ashley Leitner (11). Leitner (Lincoln SW) also hit .417 with Werner having 10 kills and hitting a match-high .600 (10-1-15).

The Lopers return to action on Thursday against Bellevue University at 6 p.m.