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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Loper VB
Todd Gottula
1
Neb.-Kearney UNK 21-2,11-2 Mid-Amer.
3
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 19-3,10-2 Mid-Amer.
Neb.-Kearney UNK
21-2,11-2 Mid-Amer.
1
Final
3
Central Oklahoma UCO
19-3,10-2 Mid-Amer.
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 22 26 20 23 (1)
Central Oklahoma UCO 25 24 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

UNK Battles But Can't Catch No. 19 UCO

Kearney, Neb. – The 19th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos had five players with double digit kill totals and dug up 80 balls to beat eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney in four sets (-22, 24-26, -20, -23) Friday night in Edmond.

UCO (19-3, 10-2) avenges a 3-1 loss at UNK (21-2, 11-2) earlier this season and picks up its fourth home win over the Lopers since 2012.

The 'Chos had 18 more kills than the Blue & Gold to lead each set most of the way. However, UNK hung around thanks to 77 digs and 13 UCO service errors.

The Lopers second lead of the night came midway through the second set on a kill by right side Jaden Ferguson (Lincoln SW). That capped a 4-0 mini-run to make it 16-14 and UCO called timeout. There would be eight ties down the stretch with UNK fighting off set point, 24-23, after a timeout and a kill by Ferguson. Back-to-back kills from outside Emersen Cyza (Alliance) made it one all on the scoreboard.

UNK hit a solid .310 (15-2-42) in the second but didn't reach .185 over the next two sets with UCO's balanced offense hitting exactly .200 in the third and four. The Lopers once again trailed much of the way but still had a chance down the stretch.

Down 12-7 in the fourth, UNK got within 22-20 after a block from setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) and middle Mia Berg (Eureka, Mo.). The Lopers then made it 23-22 and 24-23 but couldn't get over the hump as junior middle Jenna Karp recorded one of her 11 kills to close things out. In the third, UNK trimmed a six-point deficit to three, 23-20, but two kills stopped the comeback attempt.

The 2022 MIAA Freshman of the Year, outside Sydney Huck, paced UCO with 17 kills, nine digs, and three block assists. Next, Karp had 22 swings to reach her kill total and didn't error (.500 pct.) while adding three solo stuffs. Junior outsides Addison Wimmer and Mallorie Koehn had 12 kills apiece and were perfect in 20 serve receive chances with sophomore middle Lari Migliorino providing 14 kills and a .360 efficiency. Finally, libero Jaedynn Evans had 28 digs.  

Ferguson (11 kills, 15 digs) and sophomore outside Emilee Lane (12 kills, .273 pct.) paced UNK. Lane (Hays, Kan.) had her second straight big effort off the bench with Ferguson hitting .290. Next, Berg and Cyza had nine kills apiece with senior libero Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius) at 20 digs and going 25 for 25 in serve receive. Finally, senior DS Jensen Rowse (Minden) had 12 digs and was 35 for 35 in the serve game.

UNK is at Pittsburg State (7-14, 3-9) tomorrow at 3 p.m.
 
 
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