Kearney, Neb. – The fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team heads to New York this weekend to take part in the Molloy College Invitational.

Due to Hurricane Ida, UNK had quite the ordeal in getting to New York, taking a detour to Albany and not arriving until close to 4 a.m. Eastern Time. 

The two-day event is being held in Rockville Centre, located in Nassau County and about an hour drive (30 miles) from NYC. Others in the field are the host Lions, American International (Mass.), No. 27 Gannon (Pa.) and Wilimington (Del.). Check the Loper volleyball schedule page for first serve times and media links.

UNK faces Molloy and AIC on Friday and then Gannon and WilmU on Saturday. The Lopers bested Gannon, 3-1, in a 2019 National Quarterfinal match in Denver while sweeping AIC back in 2016. Kearney hasn't faced the other two schools in volleyball.

The Lopers have been busy in the preseason, beating the Air Force Academy in an exhibition match, battling top Division II competition in closed exhibitions and having a Blue/White intrasquad scrimmage at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.

Coming of a 16-3 spring in which it won the MIAA Spring Invite, UNK returns 2019 All-Americans Anna Squiers (middle blocker) and Madison Squiers (setter) as well as 2019 All-MIAA selection Lindsay Nottlemann (libero). Next, senior Hayley Daniel (outside hitter) earned 2019 All-Great American Conference honors while playing for Oklahoma Baptist with senior Breanna Jones (defensive specialist) earning 2019 All-East Coast Conference selection for the Bridgeport (Conn.) Purple Knights. She is the lone Loper to have played against Molloy and AIC.

The Lopers will have a quick turnaround as they face the St. Mary (Kan.) Spires Wednesday and then host the annual Rosella Meier Classic next weekend.

 
Molloy College Lions (RVC, N.Y.)
2021 spring record: DNP
2021 preseason league poll rank: 1st of 7
2019 record: 28-5 (10-0 ECC)
Notable players: Graduate S Kassie Akouri-Tejedor (#10); Senior MB Kacey Affrunti (#1); Junior OH Kathleen Doherty (#21)
 
American International College Yellow Jackets (Springfield, Mass.)
2021 spring record: 4-0
2021 preseason league poll rank: 1st of 14
2019 record: 14-17 (9-3 Northeast 10)
Notable players: Graduate OH Andrea Sierra-Rosa (#16); Sophomore S Naomi Eckert-Rivera (#1); Redshirt freshman OH Dora Butkovic (#9)
 
Wilmington U. Wildcats (Wilmington, Del.)
2021 spring record: DNP
2021 preseason league poll rank: 4th of 7 in South Division
2019 record: 20-14 (12-7 CACC)
Notable players: Senior OH Mandy Behiels (#4); Junior MB Angel Oliver (#1); Sophomore DS Elly Collins (#24)
 
#27 Gannon U. Golden Knights (Erie, Pa.)
2021 spring record: 18-4 (2-3 at the AVCA National Invite in Dallas)
2021 preseason league poll rank: 1st of 9 in West Division
2019 record: 30-7 (17-1 PSAC)
Notable players: Senior OH Lauren Sampson (#3); Senior DS Kenzie Lasher (#10); Senior RS Ashley McClung (#4); Junior MB Maggie Greenfield (#1)