Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 5th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team served up eight aces and senior outside Ashley Leitner kept up her torrid offensive pace as the Lopers swept Fort Hays State (-18, -8, -16) Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
A crowd of 1,352 watched the MIAA opener for both teams. With the win, UNK improves to 9-1 while the Tigers fall to 0-6. Kearney is now 79-9 all-time against FHSU.
 
Over the first nine matches, Leitner (Lincoln SW) was averaging just over four kills per set and hitting .308. Those numbers will improve after she recorded 11 kills in just 18 swings tonight with no errors (.611 attack pct.).
 
Hitting .351 as a team, UNK broke a nine all tie in the first set with a 7-3 spurt that featured back-to-back kills by Leitner and a kill by sophomore setter Erin Seele (Johnstown, Colo.). Hays didn't get closer than three points the rest of the set with two more Leitner kills giving UNK a 1-0 match lead.
 
Sophomore MJ Massanet (Manhattan, Kans.), playing libero once again, served up four aces early in the second set to give the Lopers a commanding 9-1 lead. The run also included a block by Leitner and freshman middle Bailey Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic.).
 
Massanet, who ended with a match-high 13 digs, served up another ace later on with junior Molly O'Brien (Overland Park, Kans.) having two as well.
 
Besides Leitner, senior middle Katie Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic) had nine kills and hit .389 in her first start of 2013 with junior outside Liz McGowan (GI Central Catholic) and senior middle Ellie Pesavento (Omaha Marian) each having five kills and hitting .364.
 
UNK hosts Pittsburg State (Friday) and Central Oklahoma (Saturday) this weekend. UCO swept Pitt tonight at home to improve to 9-0.