Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior right side Kelle Carver had 18 kills and freshman outside Caitlin Broadwell added 17 more as the 7th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team beat Central Oklahoma in four sets (-22, -18, 17-25, -18) Friday night in Edmond.

With the win, UNK (18-2, 10-2) avenges an early season loss to the Bronchos (17-3, 9-3) and breaks a five-way tie for first place in the MIAA.

Both teams finished with 12 blocks but UNK had 23 more kills, 65-42, thanks to 31 more attempts, 178-147.

In the first set, UNK fell behind early on but eventually came back to lead 20-17 after a block by Carver and sophomore middle Bailey Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic). UCO didn't get closer than two points the rest of the set.

The Bronchos again jumped out to an early cushion in the next set but a 10-2 run gave Kearney the lead for good. This stretch featured four kills by sophomore outside Kinslie TeKolste (Lincoln SE) and two by Broadwell and made the score 11-7.

UCO hit .357 (12-2-28) to lead the third set from start to finish. The Lopers responded by grabbing a 10-4 advantage in the fourth set and never looked back.

Hitting a team-high .371, Carver (Shawnee Mission, Kans.) added three blocks and two assists with Broadwell (Lawrence, Kans.) taking a team-high 44 swings. Off the bench, TeKolste had 11 kills and a block.

In the middle, Sokolowski had a team-high seven blocks with freshman Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) having four. The pair also combined for 16 kills. Finally, Omaha sophomore Annie Wolfe had 14 digs and an ace.

UNK is at Missouri Southern State tomorrow night.