Kearney, Neb. - After playing just a non-conference match last weekend, the 5th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team's schedule gets tougher and busier over the next 10 days.

UNK (13-1, 3-0) is at Emporia State Friday night and then stops by 15th-ranked Washburn Saturday afternoon.

The 10th-ranked Wayne State Wildcats then visit the Health & Sports Center Tuesday night (Oct. 8th) with the Lopers leaving for the East Coast next Thursday for three matches in two days in Connecticut and New York.

The match with the Hornets (7-5, 1-3) starts Friday at 7:00 p.m. Live stats will be available as well as an America One broadcast.

Emporia was one of the top teams in the Central Region last season, going 20-12 (9-8). They upset nationally-ranked Truman State in the MIAA Tournament and took UNK to five sets in Kearney before losing.

This season, with most of the players back, the Hornets are off to a 1-3 start in league play. That includes a five-set loss to Pitt State and a three-set loss to Washburn.

Among the league leaders in blocks (2.17 per set), Emporia is hitting .203 as a team. They are paced by 6-1 junior middle/right side Courtney Haring (.358 attack pct. & 1.06 blocks ps) and 6-0 junior middle/right side Carly Spicer (.318 attack pct. & 2.58 kills ps).

Running a 6-2, 5-9 true freshman Kelly Holden is at a team-best 4.42 digs ps. UNK is 37-7 all-time vs. Emporia.

Washburn (13-3, 3-0) has had Saturday's match at 3:00 p.m. circled on its schedule as the Lopers won all three matches vs. the Ichabods last year, including in the NCAA Tournament.

Fans not making the trip to Topeka can listen to an on-line only broadcast at KGFW.com. Brian Gallagher, "Voice of Loper Volleyball" will have the call.

An America One video web stream and live stats are also available.

Posting a 31-4 mark in 2012, Washburn saw its 51 match home court win streak snapped by the Lopers in the regular season finale. UNK won a five setter that night, taking the final two stanzas by scores of 27-25 and 19-17.

Graduation hit Washburn a bit hard, taking starters Hillary Hughes (OH), Jessica Fey (MH) and Jessica Kopp (MH/RS).

So far in 2013, Washburn dropped five setters on September 13th to unranked Central Washington and to # 17 Grand Valley State. They then loss to unranked Texas Woman's U. in four sets on September 20th.

Hosting Hays Friday night, the 'Bods are being led by junior right side Marissa Cox (.333 attack pct. & 3.85 kills ps) and Elkhorn grad Leanna Willer (3.14 kps), a 5-10 freshman outside.

Washburn does lead the MIAA in digs (19.27) with senior Kelsey Lewis at a team-best 4.42 ps. UNK is 32-8 all-time vs. Washburn.

Among the national stat leaders in several offensive categories, the Lopers haven't missed a beat with sophomore Erin Seele running the show. Serving as the backup to 2012 All-American Jenna Rouzee, she is currently averaging 11.30 assists, 2.20 digs and 1.12 kills per set while hitting .274.

Seele also had the second most aces (14) on the team and has registered 17 blocks (three solo) at the net.

Junior Molly O'Brien (17) and sophomore MJ Massanet (10) have double figure totals in aces as well, an area where UNK is plus 53.

The Lopers are hoping to block a bit more as they've stuffed 79.0 balls as a team, compared to 75.0 for the opposition. Freshman middle Bailey Sokolowski is at 0.88 per set with senior middle Ellie Pesavento at 0.80 in 30 sets played.

After the annual grudge match with Wayne, UNK faces the the Pace (N.Y.) Setters, New Haven (Conn.) Chargers and Merrimack (Mass.) Warriors next weekend.