Kearney, Neb. – The top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team heads to Pennsylvania this weekend for the Vulcan Invitational at California University.

The Lopers (8-0) will have two matches on both Friday and Saturday on a campus 50 miles South of Pittsburg. All four opponents are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). UNK swept Indiana of Pennsylvania in the "Cougar Classic" earlier this season; the Crimson Hawks and Lopers battle again Friday.

Check the UNK schedule page for start times (Central time zone); live stats will be available ONLY on Saturday. Video isn't available all weekend.

UNK is currently averaging 13 kills, 17 digs, two blocks and two aces per set. Hitting .265, the Lopers are holding its opponents to a .065 hitting efficiency. That ranks sixth nationally.

Individually, six different players have between 35-63 kills, six players have at least one ace and five Lopers average at least 2.00 digs per set.
Kearney begins MIAA play next weekend with matches at Emporia State (Friday night) and Washburn (Saturday afternoon).
 

Mercyhurst U. Lakers (Erie, Pa.)
2018 Record: 3-6
2017 Record: 11-18 (6-12 PSAC)
Current Leaders: #15 Katie Baird (5-10, Jr., OH, 2.97 kills and 1.84 digs per set); #7 Alyssa Zirneld (5-9, Jr., OH, 2.36 kills and 1.76 blocks per set); #16 Alyssa Kling (5-11, Sr., MB, 1.97 kills and 0.90 blocks per set) 

Indiana U. Crimson Hawks (Indiana, Pa.)
2018 Record: 2-6
2017 Record: 25-10 (15-3 PSAC)
Current Leaders: #7 Kylie Osborn (5-9, Fr., OH, 3.36 kills and 1.52 digs per set); #22 Jessica Ignace (1.93 kills and 0.70 blocks per set); #13 Jess Marut (6-2, Jr., MB, 5-6, Sr., DS/L, 6.00 digs per set)

Bloomsburg U. Huskies (Bloomsburg, Pa.)
2018 Record: 2-3
2017 Record: Program began in 2018
Current Leaders: #13 Sarah Gomish (5-6, Sr., OH, 4.00 kills and 2.80 digs per set); #24 Mary Kate Mooney (5-11, Fr., OH, 3.12 kills and 2.94 digs per set); #2 Alyssa Cianciulli (5-2, So., DS/L, 5.50 digs per set)

California U. Vulcans (California, Pa.)
2018 Record: 4-4
2017 Record: 14-15 (8-10 PSAC)
Current Leaders: #15 Rachel Priore (6-0,Jr., OH, 3.00 kills and 1.73 digs per set); #11 Lois van Schaik (6-1, Sr., RS, 2.53 kills and 0.87 blocks per set); #8 Sarah Benson (5-8, Fr., S, 8.70 assists and 2.27 digs per set)