Kearney, Neb. – The 15th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team plays five home matches over three days this weekend, starting Thursday night vs. the Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars.
UNK (2-2) will also face the University of Mary (noon) and Chadron State (8:00 p.m.) on Friday and Northwestern Oklahoma State (noon) and Sioux Falls (6:00 p.m.) on Saturday as part of the New Victorian Inn & Suites/Runza Fall Classic.
Check the Loper schedule page for ticket and multimedia links as well as the complete tourney schedule.
The Lopers, going 2-2 at the Spring Hill Suites Invite last weekend in Anchorage, are currently led offensively by outside hitters
Kaitlynn Thomas (Yutan) and
Connar Newberry (McKinney, Texas).
Over 15 sets, Thomas is at a team-best 2.80 kills per set with Newbery right behind at 2.47. Junior right side
Annie Wolfe (Omaha Marian H.S.), named all-tournament in Alaska, is at 2.40 kps with junior middle
Bailey Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic H.S.) at 2.07.
Three different Lopers are averaging over 3.00 digs per set, including Wolfe, with sophomore middle
Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran H.S.) at a team-best 0.85 blocks per set. She also is one of five Lopers with at least two solo stuffs.
Running the show has been senior Erine Seele (7.71 assists per set) and freshman
Lindsey Smith (10.67 aps). Finally, Seele is one of six Lopers to have multiple service aces at this point.
The Opponents UIS Prairie Stars (0-4, Great Lakes Valley Conference)
UM Marauders (1-3, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
CSC Eagles (1-3, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference)
NWOSU Rangers (2-2, Great American Conference)
USF Cougars (5-0, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
