Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team swept Newman University (-11, -9, -22) to reach the semifinals of the 2021 MIAA Spring Tournament Friday in Topeka, Kan. 

The Lopers, winners of the North Division, received a first round bye and then faced the NU Jets late this afternoon. On a day with a bevy of five-set matches, NU outlasted Pittsburg State (17-25, -21-25, -22, -21, -13) to reach the second round. 

UNK extinguished the exhausted Jets in a little over an hour to reach the semifinals where they'll face Central Oklahoma on Saturday. The Bronchos went the distance and then more to beat Missouri Southern State (23-25, -17, -20, 21-25, -22).

On the other side of the bracket, Northwest Missouri State rallied past host Washburn in five (-20, 24-26, 26-28, -22, -12) with Central Missouri edging Missouri Western State (17-25, -23, -17, 19-25 -8).

The semis are set for 1 p.m. with the finals slated for a 4 p.m. start. All matches can be viewed for free at The MIAA Network.