Keanrey, Neb. – The ninth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball teams starts the 2024 season in Northern California this weekend with the Otter Invitational.

The Lopers face host Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday (Sept. 7) at 4 p.m. Central to close out the weekend. The first three matches are against Division II newcomer Westmont College, Calif. (Sept 6 p.m., 4 p.m. Central) and two schools in the process of becoming D2 members; the University of California-Merced (Sept. 6, 12 p.m. Central) and Menlo College, Calif. (Sept.7, 12 p.m. Central).

All matches can be viewed at GoCCAA.org/watch ($14.95 monthly subscription; no single match or weekend passes available). Live stats are also available.

UNK has never faced these schools in volleyball. The MB Otters are picked ninth in the 12-team California College Athletic Assoc. (CCAA) with Westmont eighth and Menlo 10th in the Pac West Conference poll. UC Merced will continue to compete in the NAIA this year and are preseason favorites in the six-team California Pacific Conference.

The Lopers, coming off a 29-6 campaign, began fall camp on Aug. 19 and has had four scrimmages against D2 competition. A 23-player roster includes graduate right side/DS Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius X), grad transfer libero Alli Wiese (Mattawan, Mich.), graduate setter Peyton Neff (North Platte), and senior outside Asha Regier (Newton, Kan.).

UNK returns Sunday night and will have a quick turnaround as Peru State visits Tuesday night (Sept. 10) for the homer opener.