Volleyball | 9/2/2017 9:37:00 AM

Box Score Kearney, Neb. - Senior outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas had 17 kills to help third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney sweep the Chaminade Silverswords (-14, -12, -20) Saturday morning in Honolulu.

This season-opening match is part of the Hawaii Challenge and began at 12:00 a.m. Central time on Saturday.

Thomas (Yutan), who has led UNK in kills per set each of the last two years, powered an offense that hit .404 (47-11-89) against CUH. She reached her kill total in a team-best 30 swings and was one of four Lopers to hit at least .400.

Not to be outdone, junior outside Kendall Schroer (Ogallala) had 14 kills and hit .310. She also provided three blocks (two solo) at the net as UNK held Chaminade to 29 kills and a .140 attack percentage.

UNK rolled through the first two sets but found itself in down 3-1 in the third. The Lopers came back to lead 12-9 but the 'Swords hung around, making in a four-point deficit on a kill by Emma Tecklenburg. A kill from sophomore middle Mackenzie Puckett (Grand Island) and an unforced CHU error made it 22-16 and two kills by Thomas and one from Schroer ended the night.

Besides the outside production, junior setter Lindsey Smith (Dakota Dunes, S.D.) had 30 assists, four digs, three kills in three attempts and one of UNK's five aces. Finally, senior middle Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) had five kills, five digs, an ace and assist.

Chaminade was paced by Tecklenburg (seven kills, six digs and two assists).

Later on Saturday, UNK faces Seattle Pacific (4 p.m.) and Hawaii Pacific (9 p.m.).