Kearney, Neb. – A scheduling quirk finds the third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team playing Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State for the first time this year, despite the fact two weeks remain in the regular season.

The match against No. 21 Northwest (21-4, 9-4) begins Friday at 7:00 p.m. with Saturday's title in St. Joe against the Griffons (14-12, 6-7) starting an hour earlier. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

UNK (28-1, 13-1) can win its second outright MIAA regular season title by winning its last four matches. By doing so, the Lopers would also lock up the top seed in the eight-team MIAA Tournament. That event begins on Tuesday, November 15th, with home matches at four campus sites.

The Bearcats provide a big obstacle as they are having a banner fall. Just two years ago, NW went 11-19 and 8-14 in the MIAA. This is their best season, so far, since a 25-win campaign back in 1999.

Norris graduate and outside hitter Maddy Bruder (3.85 kills, 2.78 digs and 0.54 blocks per set) leads the way with junior middle Alexis Williams blocking 1.14 balls per set.
NW is coming off back-to-back losses at No. 13 Washburn (three sets) and Emporia State (five sets). However, they are 8-1 at home

Last fall in Kearney, the Lopers swept the 'Cats (-19, -17, -22) as senior right side Annie Wolfe and sophomore Kendall Schroer combined for 21 kills, 14 digs and four blocks.

Mo West had a strong 2015, going 21-10 (12-6 MIAA). Graduating several top players from that squad, they currently are fighting for MIAA tourney seeding heading into a Friday match with Fort Hays State.

Posting a 6-5 mark at home so far, the Griffons have five players between 2.00-2.93 kills per set. That large group includes six-two sophomore middle Rachel Friedrichs (0.71 block ps) and six-foot true freshman Stephanie Doak.

MWSU has lost three in a row and six of eight. In 2015, Kearney swept the Griffs (-15, -17, -25) in the Health & Sports Center.

While UNK's current offense (.308 attack pct. & 14.4 kills per set) is among the nation's best, the Loper defense isn't too shabby either.

Led by Wolfe (2.94) and sophomores Ellie McDonnell (4.67), Morgan Stute (3.00), Lindsey Smith (2.31) and Ali Rowse (2.10), UNK averages 17.36 digs per set. That's three more than its opponents are averaging.

Wolfe already has reached the rare 1,000 career dig mark with McDonnell needing just 48 more to become the 29th Loper in that club. Down the road, Stute and Smith will likely join as well.

At the net, UNK is blocking 2.3 balls per set, 12th highest in Division II. Eight Lopers have been credited with a solo block, led by middles Tara Ziegelbein (14) and Mackenzie Puckett (nine).

This defense remains on the road next weekend to face Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern State. Both matches begin at the odd time of 11:00 a.m.