Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team finishes up its 2017 home slate with three matches in three days this weekend.

Riding an 11-match winning streak that has them in sole possession of first place in the MIAA, the Lopers (26-2, 13-1) battle Pittsburg State Friday, 11th-Central Oklahoma on Saturday and NAIA foe Johnson & Wales (Colo.) on Sunday afternoon. Check the Loper schedule page for first serve times and media links; UNK will honor six seniors prior to the JWU match.

Earlier this fall, UNK swept Pitt State (-22, -12, -21) in Kansas and then was swept by UCO (23-25, 22-25, 22-25) the next day. The Lopers have never faced the Johnson & Wales Wildcats.

Kearney has won 49 straight home matches, dating back to a 3-2 setback to Central Missouri in November 2014. This is the 10th longest such streak in Division II history. UNK will host an MIAA Tournament first round match on Tuesday, November 14th, and could host the semifinals and finals with wins. That means the streak could grow to 55 straight, 11 shy of tying the school mark (Nov. 2002 to Dec. 2005).

The Lopers are currently hitting 100 points higher than its opponent, .223-.120, and averaging two more digs per set. UNK also has a 115 point advantage in the serve game. Individually, three players -- Tara Ziegelbein (3.20), Kendall Schroer (3.09) and Kaitlynn Thomas (3.03) -- are over 3.00 kills per set with Ziegelbein hitting a robust .334. 

Next week, the Lopers head to NW Missouri State (14-13, 8-6) and Missouri Western State (18-9, 12-2) to close out the regular season.
 
Pittsburg State Gorillas (Pittsburg, Kan.)
2017 Record: 5-21 (2-12)
2017 Notable Results: Currently riding a two-match win streak (wins over SW Baptist & Mo. Southern)
Leaders: #18 Lauren Regier (Jr., RS, 2.76 kills and 0.59 blocks per set), # 4 Noelle Dooley (Fr., OH/RS, 2.55 kills per set)

#11 Cenitral Oklahoma Bronchos (Edmond, Okla.)
2017 Record: 25-3 (12-2)
2017 Notable Results:  Swept UNK and Colorado Mines; Lost to Washburn in five and Central Missouri in four
Leaders: # 16 Taylor Bevis (Jr., OH, 5.20 kills & 3.14 digs per set), #8 Jordan Spence (Jr., MB, 2.37 kill per set), #10 Alexis Washington (Sr., OH/MB, 1.65 kills & 1.04 blocks per set)

Johnson & Wales Wildcats (Denver, Colo.)
2017 Record: 2-23 (NAIA)
2017 Notable Results: Play Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State Saturday
Leaders: #9 Katie Malachinski (Sr., MB/RS, 2.24 kills & 2.23 blocks per set), #15 Erin Sosnowchik (Sr., RS, 2.34 kills and 2.23 digs per set)