Kearney, Neb. - The 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has just one match this weekend, entertaining the NW Missouri State Bearcats on Saturday afternoon.

In a bit of odd scheduling, this is the first time the Lopers (27-2, 13-1) and Bearcats (14-134 8-7) have met in 2012. The regular season ends for both teams next weekend.

First serve is at 4:00 p.m. Live stats will be available and a live internet only broadcast can be heard at www.kgfw.com with Brian Gallagher on the call.

UNK and NW haven't met on the court since the Lopers posted a 3-0 home win early in the 2007 season. The 'Cats saw a three-match win streak end on Halloween when they fell in four sets to 6th-ranked Central Missouri.

Kearney has won nine in a row, all in straight sets, to share the conference lead with UCM. The Washburn Lady Blues are right behind with a 12-1 mark.

Northwest will enjoy coming to the Health & Sports Center as its roster features nine Nebraskans, including Kearney High product Mackie Keller. The junior middle spent her freshman season at RMAC-member Colorado Mines.

Sophomore right side Brooke Bartosh, a 6-0 lefty from Elkhorn, averages 3.15 kills and 0.65 blocks per set with sophomore outside Abby Graves at 2.99 kills and 2.17 digs set. Both had 12 kills in the loss to UCM.

In the back row, senior Tori Beckman averaged 5.85 digs per set, tops in the MIAA.
Currently ranked seventh in the uber-tough Central Region, UNK needs to continue to win in order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

The Lopers continue to dominate the MIAA stats, leading in hitting percentage (.265), opponent hitting percentage (.093), kills (14.51), assists (13.37) and digs (20.74). Nationally, UNK ranks fourth in digs.

Individually, senior Kaleigh Anderson (Lincoln SW) needs 27 more digs to become the 24th Loper with 1,000 career digs. On Tuesday, senior outside Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) joined the 1,000 career kill club.

Anderson (4.50), sophomore libero Liz McGowan (4.63) and freshman right side MJ Massanet (3.38) all rank in the MIAA top 15 in digs and that's a big reason why opponents are hitting below .100 against UNK.

Things will get extremely interesting, and tough, next week as UNK hosts UCM Friday night and then hits the road Saturday to face Washburn in Topeka.