Kearney, Neb. – The 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team needed just about an hour to sweep Fort Lewis College (-13, -8, -11) Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers improve to 21-1 (11-1 RMAC) while a young Skyhawks squad, also depleted due to injury, drops to 5-15 (2-10 RMAC).

UNK trailed only once in the match, a 1-0 deficit to start the third set. Overall, the Lopers smashed home 36 kills in 72 swings, good for a .389 attack percentage.  Kearney was hitting well over .500 heading into the final set.

Fort Lewis, meanwhile, hit .012 on the night as they had 21 kills and 20 errors. UNK also served up a season-high eight aces and recorded 7.0 team blocks.

Individually, middle hitters Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) and Haley Lake (Lincoln SE) each had nine kills and hit .727 with right side Katie Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic) also at nine kills and a team-best .778 efficiency.

On the outside, junior Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) had eight digs, seven kills, two aces and three blocks. Lake also blocked three balls with freshman libero Liz McGowan (Grand Island CC) leading the team in digs (nine). 

Finally, junior setter Jenna Rouzee (GI Northwest) had 25 assists, six digs, four aces, two kills and a block. Her four aces all came in the second set when she served up 11 straight points.

UNK hosts Chadron State Tuesday night and then Colorado Christian visits Saturday.