Kearney, Neb. – The 11th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team hopes to see its season continue after this weekend as the Lopers take on 5th-ranked Central Missouri Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Tournament.
 
This year, the Central Regional is being hosted by 2nd-ranked Minnesota-Duluth. UMD has set up a web page with schedule and ticket information as well as links to live video, audio and stats.

The Central Region winner advances to the Elite Eight, held December 12-14th in Cedar Rapids, Ia. By random draw, the Central winner takes on the South Region champ in one national quarterfinals match.

Top-ranked and longtime national powerhouse Tampa is hosting the South Regional again this fall.
 
In the NCAA's for an unprecedented 15th straight year, UNK has an all-time mark of 27-17 in the "Big Dance". The only schools with longer consecutive NCAA appearances to date are UCM (31) and Tampa (18).
 
Kearney has reached the Elite Eight five times, most recently in 2005. The Lopers also have reached the Sweet 16 (region finals) five other times, including last season.
 
UNK (28-6) and the UCM Jennies (32-1) square off Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The noon match features six-time defending national champion and 3rd-ranked Concordia-St. Paul and 22nd-ranked Northern State.
 
The Loper/Jennie winner takes on the CSP/NSU winner Friday at 5:00 p.m. The championship title is set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
 
The 2013 MIAA regular season and tournament champions, UCM is riding a 10-match winning streak after beating the Lopers in five sets (25-27, -27, -25, 19-15, -12) on November 23rd.
 
The Jennies also swept UNK on November 15th (-21, -21, -18). UCM is a 8-1 in true road matches this year as well as a 7-0 mark in neutral site contests.
 
Sophomore outside Carly Sojka (5-9) is averaging 5.00 kills and 3.62 digs per set against UNK this year. To reach those 40 kills, she has been efficient, hitting .326.
 
Next, 6-0 senior middle Taylor Goodness has been a thorn in the Lopers side, coming in at 3.62 kills, 0.75 digs and 0.50 blocks per set. For the season, she leads UCM in kills at 4.04 per set.
 
Defensively, senior Annie Reilly is averaging 5.25 digs per set against Kearney this fall with 6-0 redshirt freshmen Haley Thompson (1.25) and Becca Blaise (1.12) each averaging over a block per set.
 
In two matches against the Jennies, senior right side Katie Sokolowski is averaging a team-best 3.12 kills per set while hitting .258.
Sophomore setter Erin Seele (9.50 assists, 4.88 digs, 1.38 kills) also has put up good numbers over eight sets.
 
If UNK advances, they would be no stranger to Concordia as the Golden Bears beat the Lopers in the NCAA's in 2012, 2010 and 2008.
The Lopers haven't faced NSU in the NCAA's but beat the Wolves in four sets (-17, 19-25, -16, -22) early last fall in Kearney.