Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 16th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball scored the final two points to hold off 12th-ranked Central Missouri (23-25, -20, -19, 24-26, -17) Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

With the win, the Lopers (20-5, 9-3) snap a six-match losing streak to the Jennies (20-4, 8-3).

UNK was poised for a four-set win as they 18-13 in the fourth set. However, UCM went on an 11-5 run to reach an unexpected match point. A Loper kill tied things up but the Jennies sent the match to a fifth set after back-to-back kills.

The fifth set featured 13 ties and four lead changes with UNK leading 5-3, 8-6, and 9-8. However, the Jennies responded and moved ahead by scores of 12-10 and 13-12.

A kill from junior right side Annie Wolfe (Omaha Marian H.S.) helped UNK fight off match point and tie things at 14. UCM moved ahead once again, only to send one long, tying the score at 15.

It was then the Lopers turn to have two match points but the Jennies stayed alive by getting two kills. Finally, the long night ended on a kill from sophomore outside Kaitlynn Thomas and an unforced UCM attack error.

"These are a whole lot easier to take when you win. This is the kind of match where it's Heartbreak City for the loser," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "We could not be prouder of our girls for how they battled. And that's the kind of team we've been all year. We may not be the most talented team in the league but we fight like crazy."

In a match with 41 ties and 14 lead changes, UCM had more kills (77-69), more blocks (10.5-5) and hit a higher percentage (.226-.207). However, UNK dug up 11 more balls (109-98) and was plus 11 in the service game.

The Jennies didn't record a single ace but had 12 service miscues. Meanwhile, UNK had two aces and only three service errors. The Lopers came into the weekend plus 113 in the service area.

"Huge, huge win for us. We made just enough plays," said Squiers. "UCM has two good jump top spin servers and they are used to getting a lot of points in those rotations. One of the things we do extremely well is pass the ball. Our group was lights out and that frustrate servers. At the end, they weren't even trying to get us out of system."

Both teams used balanced attacks as nine players, including four Lopers, had a double digit kill total. Thomas (Yutan) was hot early for UNK and finished with a team-best 16. She swung a team-high 56 times and also provided four digs and two blocks.

Next, Wolfe (21 digs & 14 kills) and Greeley junior outside Skyler Erickson (19 digs & 14 kills) had double doubles with senior setter Erin Seele (Johnstown, Colo.) at 53 assists, 22 digs, six kills, two blocks and a team-best .312 attack percentage.

For UCM, junior outside Cheyanne Lyons had 16 kills and hit .417 with sophomore middle Kasey Hohlen at 16 kills, five blocks and a match-high .467 hitting efficiency. All-American outside Carly Sojka, a longtime Loper killer, had 16 kills and 12 errors to hit .065. Her 12th and final error ended the match.

UNK hosts Peru State Wednesday night.