Kearney, Neb. - The now fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team begins its 2017 home slate with five matches in three days, starting Thursday night against former RMAC rival Western State.
This fall, all UNK home night matches will start at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. Beginning Friday, the annual New Victorian Inn & Suites/Runza Fall Classic begins at 10 a.m. Two matches will be held each day at 10 a.m. with single matches at 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. For the complete schedule, go
HERE.
Live stats and live video via
The MIAA Network are available for all Loper matches. Saturday's tilt at 6 p.m. vs. the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas will also be broadcast live on
The River 93.1 FM.
The Lopers (3-1) are returned home from Hawaii on Monday afternoon and are coming off a five-set loss to now No. 3 Lewis, Ill. (4-0). UNK's last three losses -- Lewis, Augustana and Washburn -- have all come in five sets.
Riding a 35-match home court winning streak, Kearney is currently led by Ogallala junior outside
Kendall Schroer (3.57 kills per set) and Yutan senior outside
Kaitlynn Thomas (3.25 kps). Middle hitters
Mackenzie Puckett (Grand Island) and
Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) are both hitting well over .375 with junior setter
Lindsey Smith (Dakota Dunes, SD) at 10.1 assists, 1.3 digs, 0.7 kills, 0.4 aces and 0.3 blocks per set. She also is hitting a team-high .474.
Defensively, junior libero
Ellie McDonnell is at 4.07 digs per set with Ziegelbein and freshman right side
Anna Squiers (Kearney Catholic) both at 0.43 blocks per set. Finally, UNK has 27 aces to just 10 for the opposition. Smith (six) is one of six Lopers with at least three to date.
Below are capsules on the teams coming to the Health & Sports Center. Next week, UNK heads to "The Box" in Canyon, Texas, to face former rival West Texas A&M and two others.
Western State Colorado U. Mountaineers (Gunnison, Colo.)
Conference: RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic)
2017 Record: 0-4
2017 Notable Results: Swept by MIAA members Emporia State, Pittsburg State & Washburn
2016 Record: 14-12 (10-8 RMAC)
Leaders: Jordan Eastwell (Sr., OH, 5-10; 2.23 kps), Logan Franek (Sr., DS, 5-9, 3.08 dps)
Southeastern Oklahoma State U. Savage Storm (Durant, Okla.)
Conference: GAC (Great American)
2017 Record: 2-2
2017 Notable Results: Swept by MIAA member and No. 16 Central Missouri
2016 Record: 15-17 (6-10- GAC)
Leaders: Arianna Baker (Jr., MB, 5-7; 3.38 kps & 0.92 bps), Alissa Benson (Sr., S, 5-11, 11.23 aps), Caitlin Crosby (So., DS, 5-5; 5.92 dps) and Abby Jameson (Jr., RS, 5-10, 4.08 kps & 2.50 dps)
#25 Rockhurst U. Hawks (Kansas City, Mo.)
Conference: GLVC (Great Lakes Valley)
2017 Record: 3-1
2017 Notable Results: Swept by No. 17 Tarleton (Texas) State
2016 Record: 27-7 (16-2 GLVC); NCAA Tournament 1st Round
Leaders: Anne Hellwege (Sr., DS, 5-5; 3.58 dps), Emily Matio (Jr., MB, 6-1; 1.00 bps), Mary Rolf (So., 5-11, MB; 3.58 dps), Alyssa Woodman (So., 6-0, OH; 3.42 kps)
Northwestern Oklahoma State U. Rangers (Alva, Okla.)
Conference: GAC (Great American)
2017 Record: 5-0
2017 Notable Results: Beat RMAC-member Fort Lewis, 3-1
2016 Record: 4-27 (2-14 GAC)
Leaders: Jennifer Eubanks (So., OH, 6-0; 3.54 kps & 0.85 bps), Carley Geer (Sr., DS, 5-4; 3.15 dps), Brooklyn Hesson (Jr., OH, 5-10; 3.31 dps), Hannah Williams (Jr., RS, 6-0, 2.77 kps)
Texas A&M U.-Kingsville Javelinas (Kingsville, Texas)
Conference: LSC (Lone Star)
2017 Record: 3-3
2017 Notable Results: Swept by No. 9Augustana and lost in five sets to Sioux Falls
2016 Record: 26-10 (14-6 LSC); NCAA Tournament 1st Round
Leaders: Krystal Faison (Sr., OH, 5-7; 2.64 kps & 3.36 dps), Madison Brabham (Jr., RS, 5-9; 2.63 kps), Jasmine Jacinto (Fr., DS, 5-1; 4.83 dps)
