Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team hit .333 and closed the fourth set on a 13-5 run to beat rival Fort Hays State (22-25, -18, -16, -21) Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
This was the MIAA opener for both teams and drew a crowd of 1,611 to the Buckle Court.
 
The 95th all-time meeting between the Lopers and Tigers had special significance as they were two of the seven unbeaten teams remaining in NCAA Division II. UNK (15-0), now 86-9 all-time vs. Hays, entered the week hitting a D2-best .349 while the Tigers (12-1) ranked eighth nationally in team blocks (2.45 per set).
 
While the Lopers started a bit slow, the offense was there in the end, culminating with a .423 (15-4-26) effort in the final set. And UNK out blocked Hays, 9.5-8.0, on the night and was plus six in the serve game.
 
"I had a feeling they were going to come in here just like that. They are a veteran team, they played us a little tougher each time last year and the third time was a battle," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "They have really good athletes, they are big and block well and they passed well tonight."
 
A senior-laden Tigers squad smashed home 20 of its 58 kills to take the first set by three points. The Lopers, with one senior on the roster, hit .256 in the set as the Tigers dug up 17 balls.

 
However, UNK never trailed over the next two sets as it hit .349 and .333, respectively. Meanwhile, Hays cooled off considerably, hitting below .200 in each set and having 24 total kills.
 
"We served a little tougher, dug a few more balls and got a few more block touches. But it was still touch and go for a long time," said Squiers. "Hays played like veterans and look like a group that is all on the same page."
 
While UNK jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the fourth set, Hays came back to grab a 16-12 on a kill by Kearney native Megan Anderson. But, the H & S Center magic started to take hold as the Lopers scored four straight to tie things up and force Hays to call timeout.
 
The Tigers held one more lead before UNK grabbed the lead for good. Hays had five of its eight services aces in this set, the last making it 22-20. A kill from Lincoln junior middle Tara Ziegelbein ended the match.
 
"Part of that (good) stretch was because we're at home," said Squiers. "We kind of put ourselves in that situation. We were up early but made a couple of unforced errors that sophomores still make and seniors don't as often. We're still not a real veteran team."
 
Omaha senior right side Annie Wolfe had a double double (15 kills and 14 digs) as well as four assists and four blocks. From the outside, Yutan junior Kaitlynn Thomas had a match-high 19 digs with Ogallala sophomore Kendall Schroer at 14 kills and three blocks.
 
Tara Ziegelbein and fellow middle Mackenzie Puckett combined for 12 kills and nine blocks with sophomores Ellie McDonnell (19) and Lindsey Smith (11) combining for 30 digs.
 
Hays also had a balanced attack that was led by Rebekah Spainhour (18 kills) and Anderson (13 kills and four blocks).
 
UNK hosts nationally-ranked Washburn Friday night.