Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas had 20 kills to power 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney over Southwest Baptist (-22, -15, -15) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (27-5, 14-3) has now won 10 in a row, its longest win streak in three years.

The Bearcats (5-23, 3-14) put up a fight all night, thanks to 8.0 team blocks. The Lopers quickly jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first set but SBU almost came all the way back as Kearney hit just .098 (16-11-51).

Ahead 21-20, UNK moved ahead by two after back-to-back SBU unforced errors. A bad set and a kill by Thomas (Yutan) gave the Lopers a 1-0 match lead.

Offensively, Kearney warmed up, hitting .312 in set two and .433 in the third. Overall, the Lopers had 49 kills and hit .248. SBU was limited to 27 kills and a .091 attack percentage.  

"That early lead was almost the worst thing that could happen. You start thinking this may be an easy one," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "It quickly became apparent they were going to play well. They attacked us with the serve, had some early blocks and were well prepared."

Thomas reached her kill total in just 36 swings and with only five errors (.417). Earlier this fall, she had 20 kills in a four-set win over Mary and a career-best 22 in a four-set loss at Central Missouri.

"SBU probably did what they needed to which was go high risk serving at us. We handled that a little bit better as the match wore on," said Squiers. "Kaitlynn carried a big offensive load for us tonight. She is one of those athletes that can go over the top of the block and we needed her to do that."

Down the stretch, Lincoln middle Tara Ziegelbein warmed up in the third set, ending with 11 kills and hitting .261. Next to her, Ogallala freshman Kendall Schroer had a team-best four blocks and five kills. Finally, Omaha junior right side Annie Wolfe had another all-around effort; nine digs, eight kills, five assists and two blocks.

Southwest Baptist was led by senior middle Payton White, who had eight kills and five blocks.

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State Saturday at 4:00 p.m. to close out the regular season.