Kearney, Neb. – For the first time this season, the 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney will see Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State across the court.
 
The Lopers (23-5, 11-3) host the Bearcats on Friday and the Griffons on Saturday. Both matches start at 7:00 p.m.; check the UNK schedule page for ticket and media links.
 
Northwest (15-8, 8-5) is coming off a home sweep of Emporia State to be in sixth place in the league standings. They are used to being away from Maryville, currently having a 6-2 neutral site mark and a 4-2 road record.
 
Norris graduate and freshman Maddy Bruder is among the MIAA kill leaders (3.65) while hitting .247. She also averages 2.63 digs and 0.44 blocks per set. Next, junior outside Miranda Foster is at 2.69 kills and 2.444 digs per set with sophomore Sarah Dannettell third in the MIAA in assists (10.57).
 
Missouri Western is coming off a 22-8 (16-6) season. Despite some key graduation losses, the Griffons are 19-6 (10-3) and ranked one spot behind UNK in the Central Region Rankings.
 
Owning a five-set win at Central Missouri, MWSU is led by senior right side Jessie Thorup (3.82 kills & 2.51 digs per set) and six-two freshman middle Rachel Friedrichs (2.13 kps). Mo West currently ranks third in the MIAA in digs per set at 17.62 and is fourth in blocks (1.96).

Ranked eighth in the region, the Lopers are aiming for an undefeated home season. Kearney is 13-0 at home to date with four regular season home matches remaining. A home MIAA Tournament match is a possibility on Tuesday, November 17th.

UNK hasn't been perfect in the Health & Sports Center since 2009. In the Rick Squiers era (2000-present), the Blue & Gold has won 94% of the time (295-18).

Riding a six-match winning streak, the Lopers may not lead the MIAA in digs but its backrow continues to frustrate the opponent. Teams are hitting just .131 against UNK, lowest in the league. Seven times this fall the opponent has hit below zero against the Lopers, including three MIAA teams.

Freshman libero Ellie McDonnell (4.27), junior right side Annie Wolfe (3.09) and junior outside Skyler Erickson (2.91) lead in digs with three others over 1.9 per set. At the net, sophomore middle Tara Ziegelbein (0.90) and freshman middle Kendall Schroer (0.85) rank first and second in blocks.

UNK is at No. 3 Wayne State on Tuesday.