Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior outside hitter Carly Sojka had 31 kills to help 13th-ranked Central Missouri down 16th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney in four sets (-23, -20, 27-29, -21) Saturday night in Warrensburg, Mo.
 
With the win, the Jennies improve to 15-3 (3-1) with the Lopers falling to 13-4 (3-2).
 
Sojka, a 2014 All-American selection, has been a thorn in Kearney's side throughout her career as she had efforts of 21 and 26 kills in two previous wins over the Lopers. She topped those marks tonight by hitting .320 and having at least five kills in each set.
 
In a match that featured 37 ties and 10 lead changes, UCM finished the first set on a 6-4 run highlighted by three kills and block from Sojka and Kasey Hohlen. The Jennies then moved ahead 2-0 in the match as they controlled the second set, leading by scores of 14-9 and 19-15.
 
UNK fought off match point in the third set and, after three tries, finally won after two unforced UCM errors, including one by Sojka. She did have 12 kills and hit .300 in the long set.
 
In the fourth set, Central Missouri jumped out to a 7-3 lead and never looked back as UNK hit just .152 (14-7-46). Back-to-back-to-back blocks helped the Jennies grab that early four-point advantage and forced the Lopers to take a timeout.
 
Besides her offense, Sojka added 13 digs and three blocks with teammates Maddie Jones (11) and Cheyanne Lyons (10) also reaching double digits in kills. Hohlen added a team-best five blocks with libero Annie Reilly at a match-high 29 digs.
 
UNK had just seven fewer kills than UCM, 80-73, but hit 71 points lower as they committed five more errors. The Lopers were aced six times but also benefitted from 10 Jennie service errors.
 
Individually, sophomore outside Kaitlynn Thomas (Yutan) had a career-high 22 kills in 66 attempts. Sophomore middle Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran H.S.) added 16 kills, five blocks and a .345 efficiency with junior outside Skyler Erickson (Greeley) warming up to tally 10 kills and 12 digs.
 
Finally, freshman libero Ellie McDonnell (Papillion-LaVista H.S.) dug up 28 balls.
 
UNK hosts Fort Hays State Tuesday night.