Box Score Press Conference Link: https://youtu.be/k7r_BR18DHc

Kearney, Neb. – The 14th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos hit .306 and had 10 team blocks to sweep 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (-10, -19, -17) Thursday night in an NCAA Tournament first round match in St. Paul, Minn.
 
This match was part of the Central Regional. The fourth-seeded Bronchos improve to 31-4 while the fifth-seeded Lopers end 2015 with a 29-7 record.
 
Earlier this year in Edmond, UCO rallied for a five-set win over UNK. They didn't need those dramatics tonight as they led for nearly the entire way, finishing with a 44-26 advantage in kills.
 
A trio of Broncho freshmen – Taylor Bevis (13), Deborah Njenje (nine) and Jordan Spence (nine) – combined for 31 kills with senior All-American Barbara Jackson supplying seven more, as well as 13 digs.
 
Spence, a 6-1 middle, hit a match-high .429 with Bevis, the MIAA's Freshman of the Year, at .333 and Njenje at .309. Defensively, Spence provided a team-high six blocks with senior libero Whittney Gifford digging up 20 balls.
 
Junior right side Annie Wolfe (eight) and sophomore middle Tara Ziegelbein (seven) combined for 15 of UNK's 26 kills. The Lopers ended the night hitting a season-low .034 (26-22-117).
 
Having two team blocks, the Lopers got 16 digs from Papillion freshman libero Ellie McDonnell and 23 assists, 10 digs and an ace from Colorado senior setter Erin Seele.
 
Seele was UNK's only senior this year as right side Kelle Carver missed 2015 due to injury. She is planning on returning in 2016.