Kearney, Neb. – With three weeks left in the 2014 regular season, the 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has just two home matches remaining as Lindenwood and 21st-ranked Central Missouri come to town this weekend.

UNK (22-2, 14-2), ranked sixth in the Central Region and in sole possession of first place in the MIAA, needs some more wins to keep its hope of a league title and 16th straight NCAA Tournament berth alive.

The Lions (5-19, 2-14) not only beat the Lopers last fall in St. Charles, Mo., but were a handful earlier this year at home before falling in four sets (-19, -10, 24-26, -27). They stop by Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

The next night at seven, UCM (16-8, 13-3) visits the Health & Sports Center riding a four-match win streak over the Lopers. Check the volleyball schedule page for media and ticket links.

Lindenwood had 54 kills and 13 blocks in the four-set loss to the Lopers. Junior outside/right side Nicole Hallam had 14 kills and seven blocks with sophomore outside Shannon Doyle at 12 kills and seven blocks.

For the season, Doyle leads in kills (2.56 per set) with 6-0 sophomore middle Sarah Makowski first in blocks (1.25). She didn't play in the earlier match against the Lopers.

Being this match falls on Halloween, fans are encouraged to wear their best costume for a chance to win prizes, courtesy of Qdoba, The Antelope Bookstore and UNK Athletics. In between the second and third sets, the costume contest will take place.

The Loper softball team will also be handing out candy to kids in their Halloween costumes.

As soon as she gets off the bus on Saturday, UCM junior outside Carly Sojka will have the Lopers attention. The two-time All-MIAA selection has amassed 81 kills (4.76 per set) to help her squad beat UNK in the only 2013 regular season meeting between the two, the 2013 NCAA & MIAA Tournaments and earlier this fall in Warrensburg.

The 5-9 Sojka currently leads the Jennies in kills per set (4.02) while hitting .226. Sophomore middle Haley Thompson (3.06 kills & 1.01 blocks ps) is another Jennie to watch out for.

After Tuesday's sweep of Fort Hays State in Kansas, the Lopers have won eight straight, its second longest streak of the season. UNK is hitting .256 as a team, the second highest mark in the MIAA. The last time it hit below .200 was in the four-set loss at UCM (.108).

Now in the rotation full-time, freshman middle Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) is hitting .322 to average 2.36 kills per set. Fellow first year player, outside Caitlin Broadwell (Lawrence, Kans.), has moved up to second on the team in kills per set (2.94) after having 13 in the win over the Tigers.

Another true freshman, LaRose Currie (Vail, Colo.), is at 2.23 kills and 1.78 digs per set while also being one of the team's main serve receivers. Finally, UNK will honor seniors Steph Brand and Liz McGowan – both G.I. Central Catholic graduates – prior to the LWU match.

Next week, Kearney travels to NW Missouri State and Missouri Western State