Kearney, Neb. – The now 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball has another big weekend as it faces Pittsburg State and 11th-ranked Central Oklahoma on the road.

The Lopers (16-4, 6-2) are currently tied with 15th-ranked Washburn for third place in the MIAA, just behind Missouri Western State (6-1) and UCO (7-0). Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

The Gorillas (1-17) may be one of four teams with a 1-6 league record but Friday's match at 7:00 p.m. will be anything but easy.

Earlier this season in Kansas, Pitt led 13th-ranked Central Missouri 2-0 but the Jennies rallied for an unlikely 3-2 victory. Last season, the Lopers rallied from a 2-1 hole to beat the Gorillas in five sets (-11, 25-27, 22-25, -18, -8). The 2013 match at Lance Arena also resulted in a five set Kearney win with the Lopers sweeping the 2012 contest thanks to a 28-26 first set victory.

Currently, PSU has no one averaging over 2.00 kills per set but nine different players are between 1.00-1.97, led by 6-0 junior Maggie Highberger. Junior libero Ashlen Schwartz lead the defense at 4.59 digs per set.

An emerging UCO program was 28-5 (17-5) last season and just missed out on making the NCAA's. The Bronchos won in Kearney (-23, 18-25, 23-25, -21, -10) but UNK returned the favor in Edmond (-22, -18, 17-25, -18). Saturday's match begins at 7:00 p.m.

An offense hitting an MIAA-best .303 is led by 5-9 senior outside/right side Barbara Jackson (3.83 kills per set) and 5-11 freshman outside Taylor Bevis (3.33 kps). Jackson also provides 2.52 digs per set with Bevis second on the squad in blocks (0.55).

Last season vs. the Lopers, Jackson amassed 35 kills, 25 digs and 11 blocks over nine sets.

In the backrow, senior libero Whitney Gifford is at 5.61 dps and also has a team-best 17 aces. She dug up 30 balls in the win at the Health & Sports Center.

Currently sporting a 3-3 in true road matches, UNK ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage (.233), assists per set (12.99), kills per set (13.96) and opponent hitting percentage (.144).

The Lopers and UCM both have an MIAA-best 103 aces with UNK's average (1.51) ranking first. True freshman Lindsey Smith (22) leads in this area with senior Erin Seele (16) second and juniors Skyler Erickson and Annie Wolfe each with 15.

UNK also is the fourth toughest team to ace, averaging roughly 0.8 reception errors per set.

The Lopers have a quick turnaround as they'll host NAIA power Bellevue Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center. Lindenwood and UCM then visit next weekend.