Kearney, Neb. - After winning at rival Fort Hays State Tuesday night, the No. 1 ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team gets back on the bus this weekend to face Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma in MIAA league play.

The Lopers (8-0, 1-0) haven't faced Pitt State since 1989 and have met up with UCO only six times in school history. Fans can watch both matches via America One Sports with PSU offering live stats as well. 

UNK faces the Gorillas Friday at 7:00 p.m. and the UCO Bronchos (pronounced Broncos) Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, Central Oklahoma went to Pitt and won three tough sets (-23, -23, -21). Last year, UCO won 19 matches as an independent while winning 20 a year earlier as a member of the Lone Star Conference.

UNK is 6-0 all-time vs. UCO with the Lopers posting a memorable 3-2 win in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. And, in 1999, Kearney played at UCO's fall invite with Rick Squiers picking up his first win as UNK head coach, a 3-1 decision over the Bronchos.

This UCO team (4-5, 1-0) has already lost four five-set matches, including one to RMAC-member New Mexico Highlands. The Bronchos are is led by 5-8 senior outside/right side Morgan Roy, averaging 3.92 kills and 2.68 blocks per set while hitting .181.
    
Others to watch include 5-9 freshman outside/right side Barbara Jackson (2.33 kps & 0.63 bps) and junior libero Tate Hardaker (5.00 dps). Of note, UCO hosts Hays Friday at 7:00 p.m.

UNK is 24-3 all-time vs. Pitt State but last played the Southeastern Kansas school when the two were members of the CSIC (Central States Intercollegiate Conference).

Pitt, which went 9-22 (6-12 MIAA) in 2011, got off to a 7-1 start before falling to UCO Tuesday night at home. 

The top two offensive leaders are 6-0 senior middle Brooke Fay (2.83) and 5-7 freshman outside/right side Crystal Whitten (2.91) with Faye hitting .392 and also supplying 0.80 blocks per set..

On the Loper side of the net, junior middle Katie Sokolowski (.428) and senior setter Jenna Rouzee (.348) are among the MIAA leaders in hitting efficiency with senior outside Ariel Krolikowski (3.48) one of four UNK players averaging over 2.00 kills per set.

Kearney is averaging a healthy 2.07 blocks per set, including 19 solo stuffs, with senior libero Kaleigh Anderson at 5.33 digs per set. Anderson (Lincoln SW) also has a team-high 11 aces.

UNK will have a bit of a break after this weekend as there are only two matches -- Hastings (Sept. 19) and Doane (Sept. 25) -- in a 12 day period.