Kearney, Neb. - Senior middle blocker Jeri Walkowiak had 18 kills, two off her career high, to lead the 7th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team to a sweep of Augustana (-11, -21, -23) Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

A crowd of 1,308 watched the Lopers (4-1) win its home opener and see the Vikings (1-4) drop to 0-4 against RMAC schools this season. Also, head coach Rick Squiers is now 200-11(94.7 win pct.) at home since taking over the UNK program in 1999. One of these home victories did come at the Viaero Event Center in 2001.

Walkowiak (Grand Island) reached her kill total in 34 swings with just three errors (.441 attack pct.). Also in the middle, Omaha Marian freshman Ellie Pesavento continues to be on fire, having 10 kills and hitting .500 in the process. Finally, senior outside Kelsey Werner (Grand Island) had 10 kills, five digs and a block.

This trio has accounted for 67 percent of the Lopers kills so far this season.

UNK hit .485 (17-1-33) to breeze to an easy win in the first set but had to work for wins in the next two sets. Two kills from Walkowiak, and a block from Walkowiak and Werner, broke a 13 all tie in the second set and the Lopers never looked back.

An Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) kill snapped an 18 all tie in the third set but the Vikings came back to tie things at 23 on a kill from reserve Brooke Lewko. But, back-to-back kills from Walkowiak ended the set and match.

Defensively, Iowa senior libero Katlyn Heiserman recorded a match-high 23 digs with senior setter Cola Svec (Elkhorn) supplying 42 assists, 14 digs and four kills in seven swings.

Augie was paced by Lindsey Petersen and Jordan Spatenka, who each had 10 kills.

The Lopers face Quincy (IL), Mesa State, Newman (KS) and St. Cloud State (MN) this weekend in its own tournament.