Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Juniors Ashley Leitner and Katie Sokolowski combined for 21 kills as the 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball recorded an eight straight sweep, beating Pittsburg State (-18, -14, -14) Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.
 
With four regular season matches remaining, UNK improves to 26-2 (12-1) while the Gorillas drop to 12-11 (3-8).
 
Kearney out hit Pitt, .267 to -.070, as the Gorillas had 30 errors to 29 kills. The Lopers also dug up 76 balls and recorded seven team blocks.  UNK came into the week ranked third in Division II in digs per set at just over 20.
 
Trailing only briefly early in the first and third sets, the Lopes saw Leitner (Lincoln SW) have 11 kills from the outside with Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic) hitting .429 and having 10 kills in the middle.
 
Also, junior middle Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) had seven kills, four blocks and hit .333 with senior setter Jenna Rouzee (GI Northwest) handing out 31 assists, blocking four blocks (two solo) and recording two kills.
 
Defensively, freshman right side MJ Massanet (Manhattan, Kans.) shook off a bum ankle to have 21 digs with sophomore libero Liz McGowan (GI Central Catholic) at a team-best 22 digs.
 
Brooke Fay paced Pitt with six kills and three blocks.
 
UNK is at Emporia State Tuesday night. Earlier this fall, the Lopers need to win the final two sets to slip past the Hornets.