Kearney, Neb. – The second-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team, fresh off a Tuesday sweep of Sterling College, remains home this weekend to face two nationally-ranked squads.

The Lopers (24-0, 14-0) face No. 14 Northwest Missouri State (17-5, 10-4) Friday at six and then squares off against No. 9 Central Missouri (17-6, 11-3) on Saturday at 5 p.m. Note the football team also faces UCM (noon) on that day. Check the UNK schedule page for media links.

Earlier this month in Missouri the Lopers beat both Northwest (-20, 31-33, -20, -20) and Central (18-25, -21, -22, 15-15, -9). UNK is now 20-2 all-time vs. the Bearcats and has won eight straight against the Jennies to lead that series 14-12.

After losing to the Lopers the 'Cats went 2-3 in its next five matches but currently have won three in a row. They are 5-2 on the road including a five-set loss at No. 4 Washburn. NW is third in the MIAA in kills per set (13.9), which is right behind UNK (14.0), while ranking first in blocks (2.0).

Central has won its past four matches heading into a Friday night tilt at Fort Hays State. The Jennies have a 7-3 road mark including a five-set loss at defending national champ Tampa and a 3-1 loss at WU. UCM (.244) is second in the league in hitting percentage with UNK (.259) first. In the first meeting between the two Central out hit UNK by 84 points and logged 18 more kills but also had 13 service errors and 11 unforced hitting miscues.

Chasing the 2004 (40) and 1990 (39) Loper squads for most wins to start a season, the Lopers currently lead the conference in five categories and are second in four others. UNK is 16-0 at home, has 19 sweeps and won its past 29 sets. 

One area where the Lopers have dominated is the service line, thanks to 122 aces and only 41 reception errors. UNK is plus 103 in the service game overall with senior Julianne Jackson (25), junior Anna Squiers (21), senior Emma Benton (20), junior Madison Squiers (18), and junior Mary Katherine Wolfe (15) all having a double digit ace totals.

Finally Wolfe (2.71 dps) is closing in on becoming the 32nd Loper to reach the 1,000 career dig mark. She needs 35 more to join her older sister, Annie (20th/1,214), on the list which also includes Jackson (19th/1,259).

UNK has another Tuesday night match next week, this time playing at Hays (6-16, 3-13). That match can be heard live on The River 93.1 FM.