Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas and freshman middle blocker Kendall Schroer each had 10 kills to help 13th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney sweep Peru State (-9, -16, -15) Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
The Lopers improve to 21-5 while the NAIA Bobcats fall to 21-12.
 
Now 35-5 all-time against Peru, UNK came out strong, hitting .552 (18-2-29) in the first set to score 14 of the first 17 points. Sophomore defensive specialist Allie Massanet (Manhattan, Kans.) and senior setter Erin Seele (Johnstown, Colo.) both served up seven straight points as the 'Cats mustered just six kills in the set.
 
Things were a bit closer over the final two sets but Peru became the seventh team this fall to hit below zero against UNK, finishing at a negative .043 (16-20-93). Five of those 20 errors came due to Loper blocks with junior right side Annie Wolfe (Omaha Marian H.S.) at a team-best four.
 
"This match was kind of a buffer zone between Central Missouri where you're coming off that big high," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "It's a reality check that you still have to come to play every night. You may be the better team but you have to win rallies or you could get into some trouble."
 
Schroer (Ogallala) reached her kill total in only 17 swings and hit .353 with Thomas (Yutan) taking 22 swings and coming in at a .318 clip. Playing just the first set, Lincoln sophomore middle Tara Ziegelbein had five kills in seven attempts with no errors to hit .714.
 
Besides her block total, Wolfe had nine kills, hit .364, handed out four assists and dug up nine balls. Finally, Seele had 35 assists, eight digs, four kills and three of UNK's five aces.
 
"Peru does some things similar to what we'll see this weekend. They were also physical enough to simulate an MIAA team," said Squiers.
 
The Bobcats were led by Brazilian Jhessica Martins with five kills and three digs.
 
Kearney is at Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern State this weekend.