Kearney, Neb. – The 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball went unbeaten this weekend at the UNO Volleyball Showcase in Omaha.

After sweeping Arkansas-Ft. Smith and Winona State on Friday, the Lopers beat Augustana (-25, -15, -20) and rallied past Nebraska-Omaha (21-25, -9, 19-25, -16, -9) on Saturday.

In the first match of the day, Augustana (2-2) used back-to-back kills to tie the first set at 24. Sophomore outside Ashley Leitner (Lincoln Southwest) recorded a kill of her own to allow the Lopers to serve for the set again but another Viking kill knotted things up at 25.

Junior setter Jenna Rouzee (G.I. Northwest) finally ended the long set with two straight kills. In the second set, UNK broke a 10 all tie with a 15-5 run and then outscored Augie 9-4 down the stretch to win the third set by five points

A balanced offensive attack was paced by Kearney sophomore Katie Sokolowski (11 kills) and a defense that provided 11.0 team blocks and 61 digs.

Sophomore middles Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) and Haley Lake (Lincoln Southeast) combined for nine blocks with freshman outside Liz McGowan (G.I. Central Catholic) having a team-high 14 digs.

Beating UNO (1-6) for the ninth time in the last 12 meetings, UNK needed to rally as the Mavericks rebounded from a 25-9 loss in the second set to win the third set by six.

The comeback was fueled by quick starts as the Lopers led the fourth set 11-5 and the fifth set 9-4. In both cases, UNO never made a serious run.

Junior outside Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) had a team-best 14 kills with Pesavento having 13 kills and hitting .360 and freshman outside Liz McGowan (G. I. Central Catholic) having another double double (26 digs and 11 kills).

UNK finished the night with more kills, 63-49, and digs than the Mavs, 95-77.

This week, the College of St. Mary – coached by former Loper Samantha Harvey – vists Wednesday and then UNK hosts in annual tournament on Friday and Saturday.