Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore outside hitter Kendall Schroer tied her career-high of 20 kills and senior right side Anne Wolfe had a career-high 27 digs to help third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney hold off 21st-ranked Northwest Missouri State in five sets (22-25, -12, -23, 20-25, -12) Friday night in Maryville.
 
This was the only meeting between the two teams this fall. With its first five-set win in of the year, UNK improves to 29-1 (14-1) with the Bearcats falling to 21-5 (9-5).
 
Fighting to make the NCAA Tournament, Northwest was tough on defense to the tune of 19.0 team blocks and 97 digs. UNK hit under .200 (.198) for only the second time this season but still managed 72 kills. Kearney also rallied from a 23-22 hole to win the third set. 
 
In a match with 21 ties and 11 lead changes, the Lopers never trailed in the final set. Wolfe (Omaha Marian) recorded three of her 17 kills to help UNK get out to a 4-0 lead. That lead grew to five after a kill by Schroer (Ogallala).
 
Northwest fought back, getting to within 12-9 after a block by Alexis Williams and Miranda Foster. However, Schroer recorded three more kills to end the 2:15 match.
 
Having 20 kills in a win over No. 9 Central Oklahoma earlier this season, Schroer reached her kill total in 46 swings (.283 pct.). Next, true freshmen Julianne Jackson (Bonner Springs, Kan.) and Allison Kuenle (North Platte) combined for 13 kills in 51 attempts.
 
In the middle, Lincoln junior Tara Ziegelbein had a career-high18 kills in 48 swings (.312 pct.) with Wolfe having her sixth double double of the season. Like Schroer and Ziegelbein, she had just under 50 attack attempts (46).
 
The Lopers managed five team blocks but had 99 digs. Besides Wolfe, sophomores Ellie McDonnell (25), Morgan Stute (12) and Lindsey Smith (11) had double digit dig totals with Smith also providing three blocks.
 
Foster (16 kills, 26 digs, three blocks) and Firth native Maddy Bruder (15 kills, 18 digs, six blocks) paced Northwest.
 
UNK heads to Missouri Western State tomorrow night.