Kearney, Neb. – The 5th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team remains on the road this weekend with trips to Lindenwood and 17th-ranked Central Missouri.

Last year, UNK lost at Lindenwood while UCM beat the Lopers in both the MIAA and NCAA Tournaments.

On Friday, Kearney (13-1, 5-1) is at LWU (4-10, 1-5) at 7:00 p.m. Another early match is on tap for Saturday as Lopers and Jennies (8-6, 5-1) meet at 5:00 p.m. Check the UNK volleyball schedule page for media links.

Lindenwood had a losing record last October when it upset the Lopers (19-25, -21, -23, -19) in St. Charles. Down a couple of starters, UNK had an uncharacteristic 29 hitting errors as well as eight reception miscues.

The Lions, meanwhile, managed 49 kills and 12.0 team blocks. Currently, LWU is tied for fifth in the league in blocks per set (2.04) and also is fifth in aces per set (1.37). UNK is ranked eighth in both of those categories.

Sophomore outside Shannon Doyle (2.81) is one of three Lions averaging over 2.00 kills per set with sophomore middle Sarah Makowski second in the MIAA in blocks (1.37). Last year, Doyle had a team-best 14 kills and Makowski registered eight blocks and 10 kills in the win over the Lopers.

The Lions have lost four straight but have played just two matches at home

Thanks to a schedule loaded with nationally-ranked clubs, UCM is only two games over .500. The Jennies had won five in a row but were swept by 7th-ranked Washburn last weekend in Topeka.

Kearney will certainly have junior outside Carly Sojka in the scouting report. She had 26 kills against the Lopers in the MIAA tourney and another 21 in the NCAA's. UCM won both of those matches in five sets thanks to scores of 15-12 and 15-11.

Sojka currently ranks fourth in the conference in kills per set (3.72) with sophomore middle Haley Thompson the MIAA's seventh most efficient hitter (.325). She hit over .300 in both wins over UNK last year.

In the back row, junior libero Annie Reilly leads the league in digs (5.93) and aces (0.77) per set.

As usual, UNK has an efficient attack, having three players ranked in the MIAA top 10 in hitting percentage. The trio is junior right side Kelle Carver (.332) and sophomore middles Katie Weber (.324) and Bailey Sokolowski (.322).

Of late, true freshman Tara Ziegelbein has manned one of the middle spots and is hitting .360 in 23 total sets.

While no Loper ranks in the top 10 in kills, four are averaging at least 2.00 per set, led by sophomore outside hitter Kinslie TeKolste (3.24) and Carver (302).

Another area where UNK has excelled in is the serve game. The Lopers have 41 more aces than the opposition while recording 21 fewer errors. Sophomores Annie Wolfe (18) and Kadie Baumgardner (11) rank 1-2 in aces with five others having at least three.

The Lopers begin a three-match homestand next Friday when NW Missouri State comes to town