Kearney, Neb. - The 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team hopes to push its win streak to 16 straight when it hosts Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado School of Mines this weekend at the Health & Sports Center.

The match against the Mountain Lions starts at 7:00 p.m. Friday night with the Orediggers, the only squad to beat UNK this year, visiting Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Fans not able to make the matches can follow  via live stats. For a fee, fans can also watch the matches via America One. 

UNK (27-1, 15-1 RMAC) has already secured a home match in the RMAC Tournament next Tuesday (November 8th). This year, the eight-team tourney has changed formats.

The top two seeds in each division host first round matches on Tuesday; the four remaining teams then head to whomever is the highest seed remaining for the semifinals (Nov. 11) and finals (Nov. 12).

UCCS (15-11, 9-7 RMAC) is playing well, sweeping then-No. 25 Mines on Oct. 25th at home and then beating a talented Christian squad in straight sets four days later. Prior to this win streak, UCCS fell in five sets to Metro State.

A very balanced team is paced by junior middle Nikki Kinzer (2.83 kps, 1.21 bps, .308 attack pct.), senior right side Alex Wood (2.23 kps, 2.73 dps) and junior middle/outside Megan Koop (2.20 kps).

In a Sept. 24th loss (-19, -15, -21) to the Lopers, Kinzer hit -.050 (5-6-20). She is transfer from Colorado. Running the show is former Florida Gator and senior Cindy Bathelt (9.77 aps, 2.02 dps).
Mines (17-8, 11-5 RMAC) is no longer nationally-ranked but is still among the top teams in the Central Region. Coming off losses to UCCS and to CCU, the 'Diggers play at Chadron State Friday.

Sporting a 3-4 road record, five players average over 2.00 kills per set, led by junior RS/OH Jackie Stabell (3.72 kps, .305 attack pct. ) and sophomore MH Melanie Wannamaker (2.66 kps, .313 attack pct.).

In the 3-1 win over the Lopers, Stabell had 18 kills and 10 digs while hitting .318.

Senior Amanda Massey (11.22 aps, 2.00 dps, 20 aces) is one of the top setters in the RMAC with sophomore DS Hannah Margheim at 4.02 dps.

As expected, UNK is dominating the RMAC stats with four Lopers ranked in the league's top 11 in attack percentage. Sophomore middle Haley Lake (Lincoln SE) has led in this area for weeks and is currently hitting at a .405 clip.

Outsides Ashley Leitner (7th/3.23) and Ariel Krolikowski (15th/2.77) are in the RMAC top 15 in kills per set with junior Jenna Rouzee (11.32) battling Massey for first in assists per set.

Finally, on defense, freshman Liz McGowan is fourth in digs (4.80) with sophomore midddle Ellie Pesavento (0.94) seventh in blocks per set.