Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team, after a road win Tuesday night at rival Fort Hays State, continues a busy stretch with three matches over a five-day period.

The Lopers (14-1, 3-0) are at Pittsburg State (Fri.) and No. 9 Central Oklahoma (Sat.) this weekend and then host former RMAC rival and 11th-ranked Regis next Tuesday (Oct. 3rd). Check the Loper schedule page for first serve times and media links.

Riding an 11-match win streak, UNK currently leads the MIAA in opponent hitting percentage (.111), opponent kills (10.82) and opponent assists (10.3) per set. Those low numbers are the result of a defense that ranks second in the league in blocks (2.2 per set) and third in digs (14. 6 per set).

Tough serving is also a key part of the Lopers success. They lead the MIAA in service aces (70) yet are the toughest team to ace (0.6 per set).

Offensively, senior middle Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) ranks first in the MIAA in hitting efficiency at .381. She also ranks first on UNK in kills per set (3.28), total kills (164), blocks per set (1.08), solo blocks (nine) and block assists (45).

Hitting .241 as a team, UNK is at 12.8 kills per set with junior setter Lindsey Smith (Dakota Dunes, SD) handing out about 11.2 assists per set. She is one of four Lopers with a double digit ace total, currently ranking first with 18.

After the Regis match, the Blue & Gold remains home next weekend to face Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State.

Pittsburg State Gorillas
2017 Record: 3-12 (0-3 MIAA)
2017 Notable Results: Beat Western State Colorado in four
Leaders: OH Nia Bishop (2.9 kills and 0.6 blocks per set); RS/OH Noelle Dooley (2.4 kills per set)
2016 Record: 6-24 (4-14 MIAA)

#9 Central Oklahoma Bronchos
2017 Record: 16-1 (3-0 MIAA)
2017 Notable Results: Swept by #15 Tarleton (Texas) State; Swept #23 Colorado Mines;
Leaders: OH Taylor Bevis (5.1 kills and 3.4 digs per set); MH Haley Deschenes (3.4 kills per set); OH/MB Alexis Washington (1.7 kills and 1.0 blocks per set)
2016 Record: 30-4 (15-3 MIAA)

#11 Regis U. Rangers (Denver, Colo.)
Conference: RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference)
2017 Record: 13-1
2017 Notable Results: Swept #17 Augustana; Lost to #18 Central Missouri in four; Beat #15 Tarleton (Texas) State in five
Leaders: OH/RS Caitlyn Burroway (3.3 digs and 2.8 kills per set); OH Kelsey Green (3.4 kills per set); MH Nikki Kennedy (2.6 kills and 1.8 blocks per set)
2016 Record: 18-12 (12-6 RMAC)