Kearney, Neb. – The 4th-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team heads to Duluth, Minn., this weekend to take part in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

The Lopers (27-3) face fellow 4th-ranked Southwest Minnesota State (21-9) on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. A free video web cast is available with the match also heard locally on KGFW AM 1340 and at www.kgfw.com.

UNK, in the NCAA's for an unprecedented 16th straight year, is hoping to make a return to the Elite 8 for the first time in nine years. It won't be easy, however, as the Central Regional features seven-time defending national champ Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) and five of the nation's top six teams.

A win over SMSU would have Kearney facing either 3rd-ranked CSP (26-5) or 14th-ranked Washburn (24-6) at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth (31-1) is tourney host and on the other side of the bracket.

UNK is 27-18 all-time in the NCAA's, reaching the Elite 8 (national quarterfinals) in 1995, 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The Lopers and Mustangs have post-season history as Kearney ended SMSU's seasons in 2010 and 2012. Two years ago, Southwest was the top seed in the region but was upset by the Lopers, 3-1, in the second round.

This SMSU squad is very young as true freshman outside Kenzie Beckman leads in kills per set (3.30) with sophomore middle Sarah Parker third (2.39) and redshirt freshman outside/middle Eisha Oden fourth (2.50). Oden also is first in blocks (1.05) with Parker second (0.99) and Beekman third in aces (27).

Junior libero Whitney Burmeister (4.35 digs per set) and junior right side Abby Thissen (3.20 kills & 0.73 blocks ps) are the veteran leaders. Finally, SMSU runs a 6-2 with the setters being true freshman Megan Larson (8.00 aps) and junior Emilee Gutzmer (4.02 aps).

Southwest has suffered three losses to UMD and two to Concordia. They do own a 3-1 win over current top-ranked Tampa, the Spartans only setback so far in 2014.

UNK enters the regional having won four straight. Head coach Rick Squiers has maybe his deepest array of hitters as seven Lopers currently average over 2.00 kills per set. By totals, junior right side Kelle Carver has the most kills (274) with outsides LaRose Currie (211) and Kinslie TeKolste (209) and middle Bailey Sokolowski (204) also having over 200.

Defensively, the Lopers have recorded 83 solo blocks to date, one of the highest numbers in recent seasons. Carver (22) leads in this area with three other Loper having at least 10, including junior setter Erin Seele (11).

In the back row, UNK averages just over 17 digs per set with senior libero Liz McGowan (4.66) and Seele (3.11) ranking 1-2.

Fans can keep track of the rest of the 64-team field by going HERE.