Kearney, Neb. – The 15th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has a rare neutral site trip this weekend as they head to St. Joseph, Mo., to face two Great American Conference foes.

The matches will be held at Missouri Western State on Saturday.  

The first test comes at 10:00 a.m. vs. Division II newcomer Oklahoma Baptist (5-5). The next match is slated four hours later against Henderson State U. from Arkansas (1-9). Follow the action via UNK's live stats.

Note both the OBU Bison and HSU Reddies face Missouri Western on Friday and NW Missouri State on Saturday.

Oklahoma Baptist, located in Shawnee, is coming off a Tuesday night sweep of GAC foe NW Oklahoma State (-29, -18, -21). UNK beat the NWOSU Rangers in three sets (-22, -19, -18) last weekend.

Earlier this fall, the Bison beat MIAA-member Pittsburg State in four sets and lost to nationally-ranked Wayne State in four.

A 15-player roster includes Western Nebraska C.C. transfer Priscila Mendes, a 5-9 senior outside. The Brazilian is at 2.59 kills and 1.24 digs per set while hitting .166.

Six-one junior middle Cadyn Laing (3.00) leads in kills per set and hitting efficiency (.4345) but has appeared in only three matches and didn't play Tuesday night. Finally, senior Kaitlyn Lucy averages an impressive 5.31 digs per set.

UNK faced HSU in 2012, winning in four sets in a match held in Bolivar, Mo. The current Reddie squad, hailing from Arkadelphia, was swept by GAC rival Harding on Tuesday and lost by the same score to MIAA member Central Oklahoma on Sept. 5th.

The Lopers will be looking to stop 5-10 junior middle/outside Jessie Jacoby (3.66 kills & 2.44 digs per set).

After a sweeping the College of St. Mary Tuesday night, Kearney has won six straight after a 2-2 trip to Alaska. UNK is averaging a solid 15.7 digs per set and has 34 more aces, 65-31, than its opponent.

Four different Lopers have already reached 10 aces, led by senior Erin Seele (16) and junior Annie Wolfe (12). Overall, nine different players have an ace to date. UNK hopes to get some more work done at the net where its' at 1.80 blocks per set. By way of comparison, the opposition comes in at 2.53.

Offensively, Wolfe has been a consistent replacement for an injured Kelle Carver on the right side, hitting a team-best .342 while ranking second in kps (2.49). She also has the more assists (28) of any non-setter.

The Blue & Gold has a quick turnaround as they head to Fort Hays State Tuesday night to start MIAA play. Matches vs. No. 7 Washburn and Emporia State are then on the table next weekend.