Kearney, Neb. – Senior outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas had 24 combined kills and fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney had 98 digs to sweep both No. 25 Rockhurst (-19, -21, -17) and Southeastern Oklahoma State (-16, -12, -12) Friday at the Health & Sports Center.

These matches were part of the annual New Victorian Inn & Suites/Runza Fall Classic.

The evening tilt between the Lopers (6-1) and Hawks (4-2) featured two of the winningest head coaches in NCAA Division II history. After today's action, Rick Squiers and Tracy Rietzke have combined for 2,068 victories.

The Top 25 match was featured eight ties and three lead changes over the first two sets before the Lopers roared out to a 16-6 edge in the third. Overall, UNK out hit the Hawks by over 100 points (.250 to .145) and were plus six in the serve game.

In the first set, a kill from senior middle Tara Ziegelbein (Lincoln Lutheran) and an ace by Omaha freshman MK Wolfe (Omaha Marian) broke a 17 all tie. Rockhurst had to use both of its timeouts down the stretch and one of their unforced errors gave UNK a 1-0 lead.

The next set was also back and forth affair with a kill from Thomas (Ashland-Greenwood H.S.) snapping a 21 all tie. A kill by sophomore right side Julianne Jackson (Bonner Springs, Kan.) and two more unforced RU errors made it 2-0 on the scoreboard.

Jackson started the final set with a kill and then served up six straight points. During this run, Rockhust had three consecutive unforced hitting errors. The Hawks tried to comeback, cutting the deficit to six points on several occasions. However, UNK responded and a block by Thomas and Ziegelbein ended the match.

Thomas had a team-best 12 kills and hit .346 with Ziegelbein at 11 kills, three digs, two blocks and a .417 hitting efficiency. Next, Jackson had 11 digs and hit a team-high .444 (4-0-9) with Wolfe tallying eight digs and three aces. Finally, Papillion junior libero Ellie McDonnell had 11 digs, an assist and a rare kill.

Rockhurst was paced by Karli Reichert who finished with 12 kills, four blocks and two digs.

Earlier, UNK hit .304 to sweep the Savage Storm (3-3). Thomas again had 12 kills and hit .346 with North Platte middle Jose Cox smashing home seven kills in 10 attempts with no errors (.700). She also provided four block assists at the net.

Ziegelbein (six digs, five blocks and four kills) and Ogallala junior outside Kendall Schroer (seven kills and three blocks) were also factors.

UNK faces Northwestern Oklahoma State (noon) and Texas A & M-Kingsville (6 p.m.) on Saturday.
 
Other Tournament Scores
Rockhurst 3, NW Oklahoma 0 (-21, -11, -19)
Kingsville, 3, Western St. 0 (-18, -20, -14)
Kingsville, 3, NW Oklahoma 0 (-18, -23, -17)
SE Okla. 3, Western St. 0 (-18, -14, -15)