Kearney, Neb. – The 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team hopes to make a 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance when pairings are released this Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Central.

To reach the field of 64, UNK (25-3, 17-3) needs to pick up some road wins this weekend against Emporia State (14-11, 10-10) and No. 13 Washburn (24-5, 16-5). Both matches start at 7:00 p.m.; check the schedule page for media links.

The NCAA selection show can be watched live; UNK is sixth in the latest Central Region rankings. Eight teams from Division II's eight regions makeup the field.

Back on September 23rd, UNK swept Emporia by scores of 25-9, 25-23, 25-21. The Hornets finished the night with more errors (32) than kills (27).

The Hornets have won five of its last seven, including a 3-2 victory over league leading Central Missouri. Senior outside Carly Spicer leads the way at 3.66 kills and 3.66 digs per set with senior middle Courtney Haring at 2.18 kills and 1.15 blocks per set.

Washburn, despite its national ranking, is currently the odd man out in the Central Region. The GAC (Great American Conference) Tournament champ receives one of the Central's eight NCAA bids; Washburn is currently ranked eighth.

A solid 9-1 at home, the 'Bods have won four straight after a sweep of Fort Hays State Tuesday night. They do not play on Friday.

Sophomore outside Leanna Willer (3.78) and senior right side Marissa Cox (3.68) power a balanced offense with Willer (3.03) and sophomore libero Alyssa Carney (4.91) the leaders in digs per set.

UNK swept Washburn back in October but the first two sets were by scores of 25-23 and 26-24. Willer, an Elkhorn native, finished the match with 16 kills and 12 digs, both team-highs.

On Saturday night, Loper senior libero Liz McGowan (G.I. Central Catholic) likely will become the school's all-time leader in digs. She currently has 2,023; Angie Usher ('95) holds the UNK career mark with 2,058.

As a team, the Lopers get to 17.43 balls per set with McGowan leading (4.47) and followed by juniors Erin Seele (3.05) MJ Massanet (2.52) and sophomore Annie Wolfe (2.48).

At the net, UNK has chalked up 78 solo blocks, 47 more than the opposition. Junior right side Kelle Carver (21) leads in this area with Seele one of the other Lopers with 10 or 11.

Offensively, seven players have already reached 100 kills, led by Carver (265) and sophomore outside Kinslie TeKolste (201).