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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Mia Berg
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
0
Missouri Western MWSU 12-5, 5-3
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 16-1, 6-1
Missouri Western MWSU
12-5, 5-3
0
Final
3
Neb.-Kearney UNK
16-1, 6-1
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Missouri Western MWSU 22 13 22 (0)
Neb.-Kearney UNK 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Balance Leads to Win Over Young Griffs

Kearney, Neb. – The ninth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team won the serve game and had four players between 11 and 12 kills to sweep Missouri Western (-22, -13, -22) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (16-1, 6-1) will visit the Griffons (12-5, 5-3) on Nov. 4. UNK has now won 11 in straight in the series, dating back to Nov. 2017.

A young Griffs squad swept No. 19 Washburn in Topeka last month and was coming off a 3-1 win Thursday at Hays. That was their fifth straight win, but they were out hit tonight by a .317-.184 margin.

"One of the things we talked about before the match was that we needed everyone to contribute. They are physical enough that they can take something away if they know you're going to do it," said Loper head coach Rick Squiers. "They neutralized Washburn's right side and they (WU) didn't have a very balanced attack that night."

Super senior Emersen Cyza (Alliance) and freshman middle Mia Berg (Eureka, Mo.) had 12 kills apiece with grad transfer right side Jaden Ferguson (Lincoln SW) and junior outside Asha Regier (Newton, Kan.) both providing 11 more. Each hit at least .281 with Berg's total being a season-high effort.

"We knew we had to establish everything early and Peyton (Neff) did a good job of doing that," said Squiers. "And you cannot (run the offense) without good service receive passing. I thought that serve receive passing was really good start to finish."

UNK didn't trail over the last two sets but the first featured nine ties and four lead changes. The Lopers were ahead 22-18 but an unforced attack error led to a timeout. Cyza promptly recorded a kill after the break with the final two points coming via Ferguson kills.

The momentum continued in the next set as UNK hit .462 and totaled 19 kills. Junior defensive specialist Addyson Mock (Stilwell, Kan.) and sophomore setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) had long service runs with five Lopers between two and five kills.

"Being ahead (for most of the night) was huge because as I was watching the film, when they got a gap, they found another gear. Suddenly, their serving got better, their defense got better," said Squiers. "They are an emotional team, so we were able to keep them from really getting things ramped up."

Senior defensive specialist Jensen Rowse (Minden) had three of UNK's four aces with Mock having a season-best 11 digs. Ferguson added 12 more with sophomore middle Trista Marx (Limon, Colo.) at team-high four blocks.  

"We did a good job from the service line. Didn't miss too many, bothered them, got them down to one option a lot. I think that's what you must do," said Squiers.

MWSU was led by freshman outside Holly Heldt (12 kills, 12 digs, .278 pct.), sophomore right side Emma Salker (11 kills, two blocks) and senior middle Danielle Moje (10 kills, four blocks, .333 pct.).

UNK hosts Northwest Missouri State (9-6, 4-3) Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
 
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