Kearney, Neb. – The third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has a quick road trip this weekend as it plays at Washburn Friday night and Emporia State Saturday afternoon.

The MIAA match with the No. 17 Ichabods (14-4, 5-1) begins at 7:00 p.m. with the battle against the Hornets (9-9, 2-4) set for 3:00 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

Since joining the MIAA, UNK (20-0, 6-0) is 2-2 at Washburn's Lee Coliseum. Including this fall, the 'Bods are 47-4 at home against all other competition the past four years. 

Washburn is coming off a dog fight with the rival Hornets Tuesday night. ESU, playing at home, won the first two sets by 26-24 scores before WU stormed back, taking the fifth set by a 17-15 count.

After getting swept by the Lopers (-21, -15, -20) on September 23rd, Washburn has won at Fort Hays State in four sets and swept Missouri Southern State and Southwest Baptist.

Currently 7-0 at home, WU is led by Elkhorn senior outside Leanna Willer (3.37 kills and 3.3 digs per set) and senior middle Sarah Vicory (2.95 kills and 0.86 blocks per set). The pair combined for 12 kills, 12 digs and a block in the loss to UNK.

Last fall in Topeka, WU swept the Lopers as Willer had 16 kills and 15 digs with Vicory supplying 12 kills and two blocks.

Emporia hosts Hays Friday at 7:00 p.m. They are just 2-1 at home this fall, owning wins over MSSU and SBU.

Senior outside/middle Josie Williams had 18 kills, 18 digs and five blocks in the battle with the 'Bods while senior right side/middle Shayla Cotman hit .407 and registered 14 kills.

UNK easily swept E-State on September 24th with Williams and Cotman combining for six kills, 11 digs and three blocks. Since joining the MIAA, the Lopers have yet to drop at set at White Auditorium. Last fall, however, the second set was a 32-30 score.

Off to the third best start in school history, UNK enters the weekend hitting a robust .329. That would break the school mark of .325, set by the 1990 squad that started 39-0.
In 2004, UNK won its first 40 matches and hit .320 overall.

Senior Annie Wolfe (.427) and juniors Ali Scheil (.478) and Tara Ziegelbein (.476) have the highest percentages with three others hitting over .300. By way of contrast, UNK's opponents are hitting .066.

Defensively, Kearney has dug up 220 more balls than its opponents. Sophomores Ellie McDonnell (4.44) and Morgan Stute (2.85) lead here while Wolfe (2.62) is third.

Finally, the Lopers are a healthy plus 72 in the serve game. They have served up 82 aces while seeing the opposition error 89 times. Five players have a double digit ace total, including setter Lindsey Smith (22) and Stute (12).

UNK welcomes the College of St. Mary to the H & S Center this coming Tuesday, October 11th. The Flames are led by former Loper All-American Samantha (Harvey) Hammond with her assistant being Cola Svec. She was a two-time All-American setter at Kearney.