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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Loper Volleyball 2025
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
1
Washburn Wash 21-3,10-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 24-2,11-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Washburn Wash
21-3,10-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
1
Final
3
Neb.-Kearney UNK
24-2,11-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Washburn Wash 22 25 16 23 (1)
Neb.-Kearney UNK 25 17 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

#3 Lopers Get Past #6 Ichabods in Four Sets

Kearney, Neb. – Three players had double digit kill totals to help third-rank Nebraska Kearney get past sixth-ranked Washburn in four sets (-22, 17-25, -16, -23) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (24-2, 11-2) avenged one of their losses while the Ichabods eall to 21-3 (10-3). Since 2012, UNK has taken 18 of the 32 matches between the two.

Washburn came in with a different lineup and rotation as starting middle Alex Dvorak (1.9 kps, 1.1 bps, .462 pct.) suffered a season-ending injury last Saturday. In a match with 17 ties and four lead changes, the 'Bods still put up a fight as UNK out hit them by only a .253-.250 margin. UNK had six more digs and one more ace while WU had two more team blocks. Team Celebration

"We saw what we thought we'd see from them. Our girls did a pretty good job of executing the game plan, but they are still hard to stop," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "Anytime we were able to put blocking touches together and get some blocking points, we were able to get control of things and make a surge"

UNK never trailed in set one but the 'Bods got within 23-21 after two kills from sophomore Brynne Topolski, a combined block and ace. A service error got the Lopers to set point with a block by senior middle Abby Rose (Lindsborg, Kan.) and graduate outside Carly Purdy (North Platte) sealing the deal.

However, WU controlled set two as they out hit the Lopers by over .300 points. Redshirt sophomore middle Sydney Davis (Dannebrog) entered the match in the third set and promptly was part of three combined blocks and recorded two kills. UNK pretty much led from start to finish with a kill from senior outside Emilee Lane (Hays, Kan.) making it 2-1 on the board.

Set four was a back-and-forth affair with WU having an early 5-2 lead before the Lopers came back and moved ahead, 17-15, after a Purdy and Davis block. A 'Bods timeout followed and they tied things up at 18. However, UNK closed on a 7-5 run that featured an ace from junior Bryn McNair (Imperial) and back-to-back kills by Purdy. Washburn might've challenged the second one but had already gone 0 for 2.

"We just got enough in the fourth. Both teams became predictable at the end – this is working, this isn't working – so then it became even harder to score," said Squiers. "I thought the kill by Emilee down the line was huge because they were kind of stuck in a rotation."

Lane (16 kills), Purdy (15) and Kansas sophomore right side Brynn Stowell (14) provided the pop with Davis (six) and Stowell (five) combining for 11 blocks. Next, graduate setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) and junior libero Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) had 14 digs apiece with Spang having three of UNK's four aces. Finally, Spang and McNair combined to go 46 of 47 in serve receive.

"Sydney made a difference; she was able to bother them more and that's why we brought her in there. A little more athleticism on the court," said Squiers. "They played how we thought they'd play (minus Dvorak). You hate to see her go down, a really good player and maybe an All-American."

Washburn was led by Topolski (11 kills), Austin Broadie (14 kills, .316 pct.), and libero Taylor Rottinghaus (18 digs).

UNK hosts Emporia State Saturday at 3 p.m. The Hornets (19-5, 10-3) beat Fort Hays State tonight in four sets and defeated the Lopers last month at home.

 
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