Kearney, Neb. - The No. 1 ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team is in Southwest Missouri this weekend to face four schools from the newly formed Great American Conference.

The two-day crossover tournament is in Bolivar, Mo., and hosted by MIAA-member Southwest Baptist. The event allows schools from the MIAA and GAC to pick up regional matches, important for NCAA Tournament consideration.

The Central region is made up of schools from the MIAA, GAC and Northern Sun.

UNK (14-0) faces winless NW Oklahoma State on Friday at 9:30 a.m. and sees the Henderson (Ark.) State Reddies, a squad with a 3-10 mark, at 2:00 p.m.

On Saturday, the Lopers will see the Arkansas-Monticello Cotton Blossoms (6-11) at 9:00 a.m. and a talented Arkansas Tech Golden Suns squad (15-5) at 1:30 p.m. 

There will be no live stats available this weekend. Additionally, box scores for Saturday's matches may not be available until Sunday morning.

NW Oklahoma, in the first of a three-year process to earn Division II status, has lost 10 of their 14 matches in straight sets. Brazilian junior outside Paola Turibio (2.61) leads in kills with Brazilian freshman libero Ana Luiza Calaza at a team-best 3.80 digs pet set.

The HSU Reddies, from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, own two wins over Division II member Lemoyne Owen (Tenn.) and another vs. Union (Tenn.), a new D2 school.

Using a 6-2 system, junior outside Ty Lindberg (2.74) and sophomore middle Jessica Moss (2.09) pace the offense with senior Lauren Ray leading in digs (3.58).

Next, UAM has won five of its last eight matches, including a 3-1 decision over Division I member Mississippi Valley State. They also beat MIAA member Central Oklahoma in five sets.

Senior outside Amy Kleypas leads the Blossoms in kills and is second in digs, averaging 3.05 per set in both categories. Three different players have set this year, led by junior Jaclyn Trinque (4.38 ps).

The 2011 GAC regular season and tournament champions, Tech qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament with a stellar 35-4 mark.

In the South Central Regional, they were swept by MIAA-member Washburn in straight sets. This year, ATU has won 15 of 20 matches and is 5-1 in league play. Among their wins is a four-set decision over UCO.

Six-two senior outside Carly Florian (3.30) and 6-1 junior middle Sara Motsinger (3.23) pace a balanced offense with 5-11 senior middle Brittany Ryan at 1.09 blocks per set and junior Amber Cerrillos at 11.08 assists per set.

UNK, mean while, currently leads the MIAA in five categories; kills (14.42), digs (20.29), assists (13.48), hitting percentage (.259) and opponent hitting percentage (.111)

Many Lopers are in the MIAA top 10, including senior setter Jenna Rouzee (1st in assists/11.00), junior middle Katie Sokolowski (1st in attack pct./.379) and senior libero Kaleigh Anderson (2nd in digs/5.52).

Before returning home next weekend, Kearney travels to 18th-ranked Wayne State Wednesday night.