Kearney, Neb. – After pulling out a thrilling 3-2 win over Fort Hays State Tuesday night, the 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball is back at it Friday night when unbeaten Central Oklahoma comes to town.

The contest with the Bronchos (9-0, 1-0) begins a stretch where UNK (9-0, 1-0) has three matches in five days.

On Saturday, Missouri Southern State (3-6, 0-1) visits the Health & Sports Center at noon with Emporia State (4-2, 0-1) comes to Kearney Tuesday night. Note that match has the early start time of 6:00 p.m. Ticket and media links can be found on the volleyball schedule page.

Last fall, UCO won its first 10 matches before losing to the Lopers in straight sets (-23, -14, -23). The Bronchos then dropped four of its next six but rebounded to finish 24-10 (9-7). UNK also beat UCO in Edmond (-19, -22, 24-26, -16).

Currently, junior Barbara Jackson (3.41 kills & 2.12 digs per set) and sophomore Allison Barr (3.07 kps & .522 attack pct.) lead the way with four others hitting over .300. Defensively, senior Juliette Smith and senior Joanna Huckabee both average 1.20 blocks per set with junior Whittney Gifford digging up four balls per set.  

UCO has been dominant in its nine wins, dropping only one set.

The MSSU Lions put up a fight in Edmond Tuesday night before falling (-20, -21, -23). A balanced attack features senior Katie Politte (2.94 kps) and sophomore Krishna Merriman (2.91 kps) with junior Callie Whetstone (1.42) one of two Lions averaging over a block per set.

Last October in Kearney, UNK swept MSSU (-18, -5, -14). Southern enters a match at Fort Hays State Friday night riding a 41-match MIAA losing streak, dating back to 3-2 win over Pittsburg State on Oct. 26, 2011.

Junior right side Kelle Carver, closing in on 1,000 kills in college, leads UNK offensively at 3.33 kps. She also is hitting a super .395 while ranking first on the teamin blocks (0.63 ps/19 overall).

Four others are over 2.00 kps, including sophomore middle Bailey Sokolowski. She had a career-high 12 kills last Saturday at UCCS, only to top that figure Tuesday night by having 14 vs. the Tigers.

In the back row, four Lopers average more than 2.43 dps, led by senior outside Liz McGowan (3.96) and sophomore libero Kadie Baumgardner (3.03).