"> Set Streak Ends But #5 Lopers Take Care of Business; #7 Griffs Up Next - University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics
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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Ellie Eckman
Todd Gottula
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 18-1,7-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
1
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 6-10,3-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
18-1,7-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
3
Final
1
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
6-10,3-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 25 22 25 25 (3)
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 21 25 18 17 (1)

Next Match:

at Missouri Western State

10/10/2026 | 1 p.m.

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Full Schedule
Oct. 10 (Sat) / 1 p.m.
at Missouri Western State
History

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Set Streak Ends But #5 Lopers Take Care of Business; #7 Griffs Up Next

Kearney, Neb. – Graduate outside hitter Carly Purdy has a career-high 23 kills to help fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney down Northwest Missouri State in four sets (-21, 22-25, -18, -17) Friday night in Maryville.

The Lopers (18-1, 7-0) are now ready to battle seventh-ranked Missouri Western (16-1, 6-0) Saturday at 1 p.m. The Griffons slipped past Fort Hays State tonight in five sets; it was all tied at 13 before Mo West closed things out.

UNK also had a battle against a Bearcat squad (6-10, 3-3) that typically plays the Lopers tougher in Maryville. Junior outside Abby Bulthuis (19 kills, nine digs), senior outside Sophia Gartner (17 kills, .429 pct.) and senior right side/middle Gabrielle Gartner (11 kills, three blocks) had big efforts as the 'Cats ended UNK's 52 set win streak. However, the Lopers hit .429 (15-3-28) in set three to take control.

Purdy (North Platte) had the hot hand all night and reached her kill total in 54 swings (.352 pct.). Her previous high of 21 kills came last November against Fort Hays in the MIAA Tournament.  UNK hit .311 overall with junior right side Brynn Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) at 15 kills and a match-best .520 and junior middle Sydney Davis (Dannebrog) having a big fourth set to be at nine kills and a .304 efficiency.

Defensively, libero Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) dug up 22 balls with outside Grace Schmedding (Olathe, Kan.) at 16 as well as 11 kills. Finally, freshman setter Ellie Eckman (Lincoln SW) had four of UNK's nine aces, five digs and 27 assists.
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Sydney Davis

#16 Sydney Davis

MB
6' 0"
4th Year
Carly Purdy

#14 Carly Purdy

OH
6' 0"
4th Year
Ellie Spang

#4 Ellie Spang

DS/L
5' 6"
4th Year
Brynn Stowell

#10 Brynn Stowell

OH
6' 5"
3rd Year
Grace Schmedding

#9 Grace Schmedding

OH
5' 11"
3rd Year
Ellie Eckman

#1 Ellie Eckman

S
5' 9"
1st Year

Players Mentioned

Sydney Davis

#16 Sydney Davis

6' 0"
4th Year
MB
Carly Purdy

#14 Carly Purdy

6' 0"
4th Year
OH
Ellie Spang

#4 Ellie Spang

5' 6"
4th Year
DS/L
Brynn Stowell

#10 Brynn Stowell

6' 5"
3rd Year
OH
Grace Schmedding

#9 Grace Schmedding

5' 11"
3rd Year
OH
Ellie Eckman

#1 Ellie Eckman

5' 9"
1st Year
S