Kearney, Neb. – The 5th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball entertains two more MIAA foes this week when Pittsburg State stops by Friday night and Central Oklahoma visits Saturday.

UNK (9-1) began conference play by sweeping Fort Hays State Tuesday night. At the same time, UCO (9-0) was sweeping Pitt State (3-6) at home.

Live stats are available for both matches by going HERE. As usual, fans can watch the action – for a price – by logging on to UNK's America One page. Finally, the UCO match will be aired live at www.kgfw.com.

The Gorillas, who were 17-13 (7-10) in 2012, got off to a 0-5 start before winning three straight.
 
The Pitt offense runs through sophomore outside/right side Crystal Whitten, who ranks second in the MIAA in kills per set at 4.10. Loper senior Ashley Leitner (Lincoln SW) is first at 4.38.
 
Whitten also averages 2.80 digs per set, a category led by senior libero Jordan Rehm (5.20).
 
UNK is 26-3 all-time vs. PSU with two of those victories coming last season (3-0 at home and on the road).
 
After going 13-18 (7-10) last season, UCO is off to a very fast start.  Besides the sweep of Pitt, the Bronchos have picked up six wins over schools from the Great American Conference (GAC), the other league in the Central Region.  
 
Sophomore right side/outside hitter Barbara Jackson is at 3.63 kills per set and hitting .287 with 6-2 junior middle Juliette Smith (2.50 kps) and 5-10 freshman middle Allison Barr (2.23 kps) both hit­ting over .300.
 
Next, senior libero Tate Hardaker has been in UCO's back row for years and is averaging over six digs per set while freshman Katy Davis and junior Taylyn Schwartz share setter duties.
 
UNK is 8-0 all-time vs. UCO, including a 6-0 mark under Rick Squiers. In 2012, the Lopers swept all six sets from UCO although the Bronchos, due to injuries, didn't have a setter in the Edmond meeting.

On the Loper side of the net, the large freshmen class continues to impress. Thrust into a starting role, middle Bailey Sokolowski is at 2.34 kills and 0.90 blocks per set while hitting a respectable .271.

Outside Kinslie TeKolste has also been in the top six at times, now averaging 2.00 kills and 2.55 digs per set. Another middle, Katie Weber, is hitting over .300 with DS Kadie Baumgardner at 3.00 digs per set. Finally, Annie Wolfe has been playing in the back row (1.16 dps) and come off the bench to serve (seven aces).
 
Kearney takes a break from MIAA play next week by hosting NAIA York College (Tuesday) and traveling to D2 independent South Dakota Mines (Friday).