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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Abby Rose
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
0
Pittsburg State PSU 10-11, 5-6
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKVB 23-1, 10-1
Pittsburg State PSU
10-11, 5-6
0
Final
3
Neb.-Kearney UNKVB
23-1, 10-1
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Pittsburg State PSU 15 14 15 (0)
Neb.-Kearney UNKVB 25 25 25 (3)

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11/2/2024 | 3 p.m.

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Nov. 02 (Sat) / 3 p.m.
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History

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Lopers Start Fast to Sweep the Gorillas

Kearney, Neb. – The now fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team got off to a fast start and used a balanced attack to sweep Pittsburg State (-15, -14, -15) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (23-1, 10-1) finish up their 2024 home slate when the Newman Jets (3-22, 0-11) visit Saturday at 3 p.m. Five seniors and graduate students will be honored prior to first serve.

UNK never trailed the Gorillas (10-11, 5-6) and has now taken 21 of the last 22 meetings. Out hitting Pitt by nearly 200 points, the Lopers had three different players have double digit kill and digs totals with several players having long service runs as well.

A kill from graduate right side Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius) started the night and then graduate libero Alli Wiese (Mattawan, Mich.) served up six straight points. Pitt called a timeout and never got closer than four points for the rest of the set.Peyton Neff

"That (opening run) was huge. We talked about it a lot this week with our team and the upperclassmen. Tried to have a dialogue about how we could get off to a little bit better start," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "They took it to heart, changed our warmup and I think they were more focused."

The Lopers then got out to a 14-5 lead in set two and a 12-6 advantage in the third thanks to an 8-2 run. Overall, there were only four ties in the match, all in the third.

"It's so much easier to play when you're up a few points. Our crowd was into it, so we also took advantage of being at home," said Squiers. "Lot happier how we played tonight, start to finish."

Outside Emilee Lane (Hays, Kan.) and Asha Regier (Wichita) combined for 24 kills with middle Mia Berg (Eureka, Mo.)  proving 10 more. In the back row, Wiese dug up 28 balls with Taubenheim getting to 11 and sophomore DS Lexi Stephens (Ankeny, Ia.) having 12. This is the second time this fall Wiese has amassed 28 digs in a
sweep.

"We passed the ball well again which is one of the things we've done well all year. It also became apparent our pins could score as they weren't stuff blocking us," said Squiers. "When the ball did come back, most of the time we covered it. When your hitters can swing with confidence like that, and you can pass, you always feel like they make get a point or two, but they aren't getting five or six."

Regier, Berg and junior middle Abby Rose (Lindsborg, Kan.) all hit over .300 with grad setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) at 46 assists, five digs and two blocks. Finally, Wiese, Stephens, Neff and freshman Julia Davenport (Papillion) all had quality service runs.

"We felt like we had to serve tough tonight. We weren't sure if we were going to see Ivy Fink; she's coming off injury and is one of their leading hitters," said Squiers. "She gave it a go but wasn't quire 100 percent. We thought they had plenty of offense if you let them pass."

Pitt was paced by libero Josie McCroskey (20 digs) and outside Vix Villott (13 digs, six kills, three blocks) with two setters combing for 18 attacks.
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Mia Berg

#19 Mia Berg

MB
6' 1"
Sophomore
Emilee Lane

#15 Emilee Lane

OH
6' 1"
Junior
Peyton Neff

#1 Peyton Neff

S
5' 10"
Graduate Student
Asha Regier

#17 Asha Regier

OH
5' 9"
Senior
Abby Rose

#7 Abby Rose

MB
6' 1"
Junior
Lexi Stephens

#2 Lexi Stephens

DS/L
5' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
Lauren Taubenheim

#9 Lauren Taubenheim

OH
6' 2"
Graduate Student
Julia Davenport

#25 Julia Davenport

S/DS
5' 6"
Freshman
Alli Wiese

#4 Alli Wiese

DS/L
5' 6"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Mia Berg

#19 Mia Berg

6' 1"
Sophomore
MB
Emilee Lane

#15 Emilee Lane

6' 1"
Junior
OH
Peyton Neff

#1 Peyton Neff

5' 10"
Graduate Student
S
Asha Regier

#17 Asha Regier

5' 9"
Senior
OH
Abby Rose

#7 Abby Rose

6' 1"
Junior
MB
Lexi Stephens

#2 Lexi Stephens

5' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
DS/L
Lauren Taubenheim

#9 Lauren Taubenheim

6' 2"
Graduate Student
OH
Julia Davenport

#25 Julia Davenport

5' 6"
Freshman
S/DS
Alli Wiese

#4 Alli Wiese

5' 6"
Graduate Student
DS/L