Kearney, Neb. – The now fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball begins MIAA play this weekend with matches against 25th-ranked Washburn and Emporia State.

The Ichabods (9-3) visit Friday at 6 p.m. with the Hornets (7-5) stopping by Saturday at 3 p.m. UNK (11-1), riding an eight-match win streak, heads to rival Fort Hays State Tuesday night.

Looking to push its home court win streak to 42 in a row, the Lopers come into league play riding a wave of blocks. UNK has amassed 46 team blocks in its last five matches to be ranked third in the MIAA in the category (2.1 per set). Five different players have registered at least one solo stuff with middles Tara Ziegelbein (0.92) and Josie Cox (0.90) the set leaders.

Washburn also can block, leading the MIAA at 2.35 per set. That has helped them hold the opposition to a .118 attack percentage, lowest in the league. The 'Bods, suffering heavy graduation losses off last year's 28-6 squad, are off to a 9-3 start. They have lost to current No. 24 Arkansas Tech (3-1), Upper Iowa (3-0) and Harding, Ark. (3-2).

Kearney Catholic graduate Shayla Conner is one of two setters and is averaging 3.53 digs and 6.96 assists per set. A balanced offense includes sophomore outside Erica Montgomery (2.81 kills & 1.81 digs per set) and junior middle Makayla Maxwell (2.53 kills & 1.26 blocks per set). Maxwell, from Millard North, is the team's top blocker.

UNK went 2-1 against the 'Bods last year, winning at home (3-0) and in the MIAA Tournament finals (3-1) but losing in Topeka (3-2).

Emporia, playing at Hays Friday, is coming off a 3-2 loss to D2 newcomer Oklahoma Baptist. They are 1-2 in five setters to date.

Having played mainly neutral site matches, the Hornets are led by 5-11 freshman Yuchen Du (3.62 kills, 5.07 assists, 2.38 digs and 0.69 blocks per set). The right side/setter is hitting .313 and also served up eight aces.

Omaha junior outside Jamie Hauptman (2.61 kills) and sophomore libero Allie Maloney (4.21 digs per set) are others players to watch. Last fall, UNK swept E-State twice in the regular season and in the first round of the MIAA Tourney.

UNK comes in currently leading the league in both aces (65) and fewest opponent aces (29). Throw in service errors by the Lopers (52) and is opponents (77) and Kearney is plus 61 in the serve game. In 2016, the team finished with 115 point advantage in this area.

The ace leaders to date are setter Lindsey Smith (18), versatile freshman MK Wolfe (12) and defensive specialist Morgan Stute (11). Four others are between three and eight aces.

The Lopers also have allowed the second fewest kills per set (10.7). That's in part to a defense digging up 16.2 balls per set, a tough serve game and improved work at the net.
Junior libero Ellie McDonnell (4.28), Wolfe (2.49), Stute (2.44) and sophomore Julianne Jackson (3.03) are the dig leaders so far.
 
After the trip to Hays, UNK heads to Pittsburg State and No. 10 Central Oklahoma next weekend.