Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 9th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team hit a season-high .410 to sweep Missouri Southern State (-18, -5, -14) Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (21-3, 7-2) went 3-0 at home this week while the Lions (4-19, 0-10) lose an MIAA match for the 35th straight time.

Last night at Fort Hays State, Southern lost its top offensive player, Katie Politte, due to injury. Despite that setback, the Lions came out strong, recording nine kills and giving the Lopers a battle.

However, UNK went on a 9-3 run, to open up an 18-12 lead, that forced Southern to call a timeout. The spurt included four unforced Lion errors and kills by sophomore MJ Massanet (Manhattan, Kans.) and freshman Bailey Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic).

The Lopers were absolutely white hot in the second set, having 13 kills in 17 attempts with no errors (.765 attack pct.). After Massanet recorded a kill to make it 5-3, she served up 11 straight points, the majority being MSSU hitting errors.

On the day, Kearney had 40 kills and just six errors in 83 swings. This marks the fourth time in 2013 UNK has hit .400 or better.

Meanwhile, Southern hit -.025 (21-23-80).

Individually, Massanet had another double double (12 digs and 11 kills) with five others having between four and six kills. That large group included true freshman Kenslie TeKolste (Lincoln SE) and Katie Weber (Greeley, Colo.).

Finally for the Lopers, junior Molly O'Brien (Overland Park, Kans.) and freshman Annie Wolfe (Omaha Marian) each served up two aces.

Nai Montano came off the bench to lead the Lions, recording five kills in six swings (.667).

UNK is at Fort Hays State Tuesday night.