Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior outside Ariel Krolikowski and junior middle Katie Sokolowski combined for 27 kills to help the 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team sweep Fort Hays State (-22, -9, -14) Tuesday night at Health & Sports Center.

This is the first of three MIAA home matches for the Lopers (24-2, 10-1) this week. Falling to UNK for the second time this year, the Tigers are now 22-9 (6-6).

Thanks to 10 kills and five team blocks, Hays led most of the first set. The Tigers were up by scores of 9-4 and 16-12, forcing the Lopers to call two timeouts.

Slowly, UNK chipped away, finally grabbing a 21-20 lead after a kill by freshman outside Christina Silver (Grand Island). However, Hays forced the seventh tie of the set as they got back-to-back blocks to knot things at 22.  

The Lopers responded by scoring the next three points as Krolikowski and junior middle Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) recorded a block and Sokolowski smashed home two kills.

The Tigers cooled off from there, having only 15 kills and three blocks the rest of the match. UNK kept up its normal offensive pace, hitting .255 with 41 kills.

The MIAA Hitter of the Week, Sokolowski had a team-high 15 kills with a .522 hitting efficiency. Over the last six matches she is averaging 3.83 kills per set and hitting .561. 

Krolikowski provided the punch on the perimeter, recording 12 kills on 31 swings. She also had five digs and two blocks.

Also, sophomore libero Liz McGowan (GI Central Catholic) had 14 digs and three aces and senior setter Jenna Rouzee (Gi Northwest) had 33 assists, seven digs, four blocks and two kills.

Lincoln native Madison Schwartz paced the Tigers with seven kills and nine digs.

Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State come to town this Friday and Saturday.