Kearney, Neb. – The eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team held 20th-ranked Central Missouri to a .073 hitting efficiency to sweep the Jennies (-20, -22, -25) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The win helps the Lopers (19-2, 7-1) move into a first place tie in the MIAA as Central Oklahoma lost to Missouri Western State in five sets tonight in Edmond. Meanwhile, the Mules (16-5, 7-2) fall a half game behind UNK and UCO in the standings.

As expected when these two squads meet, all three sets were close with the match featuring 22 lead changes and seven ties. It was hard for either team to get a kill all night as there were a combined 162 digs and 16 blocks.

UNK was slightly out dug and out blocked but had six more kills, 43-37, and six less hitting errors, 26-20. Coming into the weekend leading the MIAA in opponent hitting efficiency (.120), Kearney held UCM 175 points below its season average.

"I thought there was a lot of good stuff going on out there. In the early going, both teams traded offensive swings for a while and both teams sided out at a really high clip," said Loper head coach Rick Squiers. "We were able to hang on a little bit longer than they did. We got behind in the second (set) but really proud of our team for hanging around and then the Health & Sports Center gives you a boost at the end."

Hitting below .200 (.143) for just the seventh time this fall, UNK controlled the first set as it out hit UCM by 130 points. The second set was a bit tighter as the Jennies held leads of 14-10 and 21-19. However, UNK closed on a 7-2 run that was highlighted by two Tara Ziegelbein kills.

The Lopers roared out of the gates in set three, grabbing leads of 5-1, 11-2 and 15-6. But, UCM stormed back, tying things up at 18 and then again at 20, then at 23. A kill from sophomore middle Josie Cox (North Platte) helped UNK reach match point but UCM responded with a kill of its own.

The Jennies then used a block to reach set point but a ball handling error tied things for the final time. An ace from junior Morgan Stute (Kearney Catholic) and a kill from sophomore outside Julianne Jackson (Bonner Springs, Kan.) ended the 1:40 match.

"The third (set) was weird one. We got the big lead and then had a concentration lapse. We started thinking the match was over and it wasn't and then you started playing not to lose. Credit them; they started making plays all over the place," said Squiers.

Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) had a team-high 11 kills with junior Kendall Schroer (Ogallala) providing 10 from the outside. On the right side, Kearney freshman Anna Squiers had seven kills and three blocks (two solo). In the back row, Stute had a team-high 21 digs with junior libero Ellie McDonnell (Papillion) having 18.

"We've had a few like this recently. It goes all the way back to Regis and Central Oklahoma; we're on a run of playing a lot of high-quality opponents. Every time you play you have a chance to get better and if you win you get a little bit of confidence," said Squiers.

Norris graduate Kasey Hohlen had 12 kills, eight digs and six block to pace UCM. Sister, Kylie, also dug up a match-high 25 balls. 

UNK hosts Lindenwood Saturday at 3 p.m.