Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 14th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team was dominant over the final three sets to win its MIAA opener Tuesday night at Fort Hays State.

Now winners of nine straight, the Lopers (11-2) dropped the first set 25-23 but allowed just 39 points the rest of the way (-13, -12, -14) to beat Hays for the 28th time in the last 29 meetings.

Sophomore outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas paced an offense that hit a solid .311 and had 22 more kills than the Tigers (8-5), 60-38. The Ashland-Greenwood graduate had a match-high 18 kills and hit .382 while providing two blocks at the net.

Next to her was junior Skyler Erickson (Greeley), who came on strong as the night wore on and finished with 10 kills and 15 digs. In the middle, junior Bailey Sokolowski (Kearney Catholic H.S.) had eight kills and hit .286 with sophomore Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran H.S.) providing 11 kills in just 19 swings, good for a .526 efficiency.

Running the show was freshman setter Lindsey Smith (Dakota Dunes, S.D.). She tallied 49 assists, six digs, three aces and had a season-high five kills in seven attempts with no errors (.714 pct). Finally, freshman libero Ellie McDonnell (Papillion-LaVista H.S.) had 20 of UNK's 51 digs.

Junior middle Rebekah Spainhour led the Tigers with eight kills and four blocks.

The Tigers used a 7-1 run to grab a 17-14 lead in the first set. While UNK came back to tie it at 23, Hays closed things out thanks to a kill and an unforced error. From that point on, however, it was all Blue & Gold as the Lopers didn't trail over the final three sets.

Kearney is at 7th-ranked Washburn Friday night. The Ichabods moved to 12-0 with a road sweep of Emporia State on Tuesday night.