Kearney, Neb. – The 8th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team managed to dominate two sets, and then rallied in the fourth set, to beat 9th-ranked Metro State (-10, 23-25, -7, -24) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

In the RMAC preseason poll, UNK (15-1, 5-1 RMAC) was picked to win the league with the Roadrunners (12-3, 4-2 RMAC) a very close second. This marks Rick Squiers 400th win as Loper head coach. He took over the program in 1999 (400-57).

The first set was tied at three before Metro served one into the net, one of their 10 errors in that area on the night.  Junior DS Kaleigh Anderson (Lincoln SW) then went back to serve for the Lopers and, when her turn was up, UNK led 13-4.

The big run featured three Loper kills, an ace and five unforced Metro hitting errors In the set, UNK hit .333 (11-2-27) with the 'Runners hitting a neative .034 (6-7-29). 

The second set was much tighter as there were 12 ties and six lead changes. UNK moved ahead 21-18 on a kill by sophomore outside Ashley Leitner (Lincoln SW), only to see the 'Runners score three in a row, tying things on a block by Lauren Quijano and Daleah Whitaker.

Metro's streak continued as Quijano and Whitaker combined for another block, Emily Greenhalgh recorded a solo block and the Lopers hit one wide. After another Leitner kill, Metro took the set on a kill by Greenhalgh.

Kearney quickly regrouped, scoring the first four points of the third set. The lead eventually grew to 9-2, forcing Metro to take a timeout. UNK remained hot, opening up a 14-4 advantage after back-to-back unforced 'Runner errors. A second Metro timeout followed and they would tally just three points the rest of the set.

In this stanza, UNK had 14 kills and hit .487 with Metro having more errors (10) than kills (five) to hit a negative .147.

It appeared the match might go five sets, however, as Metro led the fourth set 9-4 and 16-10. Three kills by three different Lopers cut the gap to 17-16 and a kill by sophomore middle Haley Lake (Lincoln SE) tied things at 18.

After calling a timeout, Metro opened up a 22-20 lead but had to take a second break as a block by sophomore Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) and junior Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) tied things at 23.

UNK then scored three straight to take the match with a kill from junior setter Jenna Rouzee (GI Northwest) starting the run. Fittingly, Metro had two more unforced misuces to end the match.

Leitner recorded a double double (18 kills and 13 digs) while hitting .318. In the middle, Pesavento had seven blocks and eight kills and Lake provided 10 kills and hit .409. Finally, Rouzee had 44 assists, eight kills, six digs and three blocks and freshman libero Liz McGowan (GI Central Catholic) had 27 digs.

Metro was led by RMAC Preseason Player of the Year Bri Morley (16 kills and 10 digs) and RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Ngoc Phan (22 digs).

UNK hosts No. 22 Regis Saturday afternoon.