Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team smashed home 50 kills and was strong down the stretch to sweep 4th-ranked Wayne State (-22, -22, -19) Tuesday night in Wayne.
 
The win greatly enhances UNK's NCAA Tournament resume; the Lopers are now 26-5 and improve to 69-9 all-time against the Wildcats. They also get to keep the coveted "Golden Apple" trophy.
 
Ranked eighth in last week's NCAA Central Region Rankings, the Lopers got out to big leads in each of the first two sets but Wayne (23-5) rallied each time. In the third set, UNK quickly erased an early deficit.
 
A crowd of 1,162 watched the two teams combine for 33 kills in the first set with each squad hitting over .295. Three service aces by Omaha junior right side Annie Wolfe gave UNK a quick 10-5 lead and then a kill from Wolfe later on made it 17-13 Lopers.
 
However, the 'Cats went on an 8-4 run, highlighted by three straight kills, to tie things at 21 and force Kearney to call a timeout. UNK responded with a 4-1 closing run, getting kills from Wolfe and Yutan sophomore outside Kaitlynn Thomas.
 
The Blue & Gold's offensive continued to roll along, producing 18 kills in the second set. The Lopers got out to leads of 12-7 and 17-10 before Wayne stormed back once again. An 11-4 run ended with an unforced UNK error, tying things at 21.

 
Like the first set, the Lopers closed on a 4-1 run, getting two kills from Ogallala freshman Kendal Schroer and another one from Thomas. 
 
Hitting .343 (15-3-35) in the third set, UNK went on a 12-7 run to open up a comfortable 18-14 lead and force the 'Cats to call a timeout. Wolfe had five kills in seven swings in this set with Kearney Catholic graduate Morgan Stute ending the match with a service ace.
 
As usual, the Lopers had a balanced attack, getting 12 kills from both Thomas and Lincoln sophomore middle Tara Ziegelbein. Wolfe ended with 11 kills, as well as a team-best 19 digs, three aces, two blocks and two assists.
 
Next, Stute had 16 digs with Seele (Johnstown, Colo.) at 45 assists, 13 digs, two kills and a block assist. UNK out hit Wayne by 60 points, .271 to .211, and dug up 13 more balls, 77-64. The Lopers also were plus five in the service game.
 
Kearney Catholic graduate Michaela Mestl led Wayne, having team-highs in both digs (17) and kills (12).
 
The next Central Region rankings will be released Wednesday afternoon. UNK closes out the regular season this weekend at home vs. Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern State.