Kearney, Neb. – The ninth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team used a balanced attack to sweep Missouri Western State (-17, -22, -18) Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was a battle of second place teams in the MIAA with UNK now 18-2 (6-1) and MWSU dropping to 11-9 (5-2).

The Lopers had five players between five and 10 kills and four registering between six and 18 digs. Kearney held MWSU nearly 100 points below its hitting average thanks to 53 digs and 6.5 blocks. The Griffons ended up with 38 kills and 23 errors (.117).

"Like last night, I think we battled and played hard on defense. That's where we frustrated them a little bit … they have been outhitting everybody the last four or five matches. Nobody has held them under .250. We were able to do that tonight," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers.

There were 11 ties and three lead changes in the match with UNK not trailing until the third set. Hitting .216 on the night, the Lopers held on to win the second set by two points after leading by as many as five. UNK then erased an 11-8 deficit in the third thanks to a 12-5 run that featured four kills and three blocks.

"Offensively, we got some confidence early from both the left and right sides. Anna (Squiers) got some confidence, probably caring over from last night, and Lindsey (Smith) was able to go over there. That really helps and then we got Julianne (Jackson) going," said Squiers.

Junior outside Kendall Schroer (Ogallala) had a team-high 10 kills with fellow outside Julianne Jackson (Bonner Springs, Kans.) having nine of her own as well as six digs, two blocks and two aces. From the right side, freshman Anna Squiers (Kearney Catholic) hit a match-high .368 and recorded nine kills for a second straight night.

"I thought we served at lot better and that kept some pressure on them. Emma (Benton) coming in … we really scored some points when she was back there. She serves a really tough, heavy ball," said Squiers. 

In the middle, Lincoln senior Tara Ziegelbein had seven kills, three digs and a team-best four blocks. Finally, Papillion junior libero Ellie McDonnell had a match-high 18 digs.
"We didn't have to have Tara get half our kills, all of our blocks. If we can get some numbers from Anna and Julianne, that'll help us a lot," said Squiers.

Audrey Keim led the Griffs, finishing with a match-high 13 kills, three digs and two blocks.

UNK hosts nationally-ranked Central Missouri and Lindenwood next weekend.