Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team served up a season-high 10 aces and trailed only once in a sweep of Missouri Western State (-8, -16, -18) Tuesday night in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Lopers improve to 20-2 (7-1) while the Griffons fall to 12-11 (3-7).

UNK jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first set thanks to two kills by junior middle Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian), two aces from junior Kaleigh Anderson (Lincoln SW) and five unforced Western hitting errors.

Kearney also led the second set from start to finish as they recorded 14 kills and hit .312. The last set was a bit more competitive as Western led 2-1, its only lead of the night, and there were six ties

A 6-2 UNK run broke the last tie, at eight all, as Pesavento recorded two more kills and junior Ashley Leitner (Lincoln SW) served up an ace.

On the night, the Lopers had 41 kills, hit .241, those 10 aces and no reception errors. Defensively, they recorded 21 more digs than Western, 66-45.

Pesavento (eight kills) was one of five Lopers to have between seven and nine kills. That group included senior outside Ariel Krolikowski (team-high nine), Leitner (seven) and freshman right side MJ Massanet (seven and a .438 attack pct.).

In the serve game, seven UNK players recorded at least one ace with Anderson, Leitner and freshman Molly O'Brien (Overland Park, Kans.) having two each.

UNK remains on the road this weekend as it travels back to Bolivar, Mo., to face the Southwest Baptist Bearcats Friday afternoon. The Lopers also will play a non-MIAA match against the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers that day.