Kearney, Neb. – The now eighth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team finishes up a rare two week home stand with the annual Rosella Meier Fall Classic this Friday and Saturday at the Health & Sports Center.

The five-team tournament, sponsored by Runza and New Victorian Inn & Suites, features matches daily at 10 a.m., 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Live stats and live video (for a price) via The MIAA Network are available for all matches with the River 93.1 FM covering the UNK/Arkansas Tech match Friday at six.

UNK (5-0) comes in averaging 13.7 kills, 19.0 digs, 1.6 blocks and 1.7 aces per set. Hitting at a .256 clip, the Lopers are plus 32 in the serve game and limiting teams to a .112 hitting efficiency. That mark was at .106 last season. 

A balanced offensive attack has five players between 2.12-2.80 kills per wet with senior outside Emma Benton (G.I. Central Catholic) hitting a team-best .413. She has 28 kills to date as well as 10 digs and four aces.

Fellow senior outside Julianne Jackson (Bonner Springs, Kan.) became just the 31st Loper to reach 1,000 career digs last weekend (now 1,047). Currently at 3.65 per set, the six-rotation player is the fifth outside in the Rick Squiers (1999-pre.) to reach four figures in digs.

The Lopers start MIAA play next weekend with battles at Emporia State and No. 4 Washburn.

 
U. of Mary Marauders (Bismarck, ND)
Conference: NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf.)
2018 Record: 4-24 (1-19)
2019 Record: 0-4
2019 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 16th of 16

Leaders to Date: #11 Morgan Schnabel (Jr., 6-0, OH/RS, 3.78 kills & 2.67 digs per set); #8 Anna Nietfeld (Sr., 5-9, OH/RS, 3.11 kills & 2.78 digs per set); #21 Hannah Hanson (Jr., 6-1, MB, 0.89 blocks per set)
 
Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (Russellville, AR)
Conference: GAC (Great American Conf.)
2018 Record: 17-2 (10-6)
2019 Record: 1-3
2019 GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 4th of 12

Leaders to Date: #17 Anyse Smith (4.67 kills & 2.00 digs per set); #5 Allie Anderson (4.27 kills & 2.38 digs per set); #7 Haylee Paladini (3.00 kills & 1.80 blocks per set)
 
New Mexico Highlands U. Cowgirls (Las Vegas, NM)
Conference: RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conf.)
2018 Record: 9-17 (7-11)
2019 Record: 1-3
2019 RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 12th of 16

Top Returners: #6 Camryn Nelson (So., 5-9, OH, 1.66 kills & 1.96 digs per set); #4 Stacy Johnson (Jr., 6-0, MB, 1.23 kills & 0.55 blocks per set)
 
#17 Rockhurst U. Hawks (Kansas City, MO)
Conference: GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conf.)
2018 Record: 32-7 (14-4)
2019 Record: 2-2
2019 GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 2nd of 16

Leaders to Date: #6 Karli Reichert (3.79 kills & 1.79 digs per set); #11 Alyssa Woodman (3.43 kills & 2.21 digs per set); #5 Jadyn Makovicka (5.43 digs per set)