"> #8 UNK Sweeps Home Opener, Heads to California Next - University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics
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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Loper Team Enterance
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
0
Peru St. Peru 0-1
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 4-1,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Peru St. Peru
0-1
0
Final
3
Neb.-Kearney UNK
4-1,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Peru St. Peru 11 11 22 (0)
Neb.-Kearney UNK 25 25 25 (3)

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9/3/2026 | 8 p.m. Central

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History

Game Recap: Volleyball |

#8 UNK Sweeps Home Opener, Heads to California Next

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Kearney, Neb. – Ten different players recorded a kill and eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney finished strong to sweep Peru State (-11, -11, -22) Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was the home opener for the Lopers (4-1) while the NAIA Bobcats fall to 5-2. UNK has a quick turnaround as they leave early Wednesday morning for Northern California and the "Redwoods Coast Volleyball Classic" in Arcata. Rhyan Mock

Outside hitters Grace Schmedding (Olathe, Kan.) and Carly Purdy (North Platte) had nine kills apiece as UNK out hit PSC by 243 points. The Lopers did have to call Purdy back into action as the 'Cats held a 20-17 lead in the third set. The 2025 All-American promptly recorded four kills to help the Lopers record a fourth straight sweep.

"Sometimes that's how volleyball goes, I guess. You hate to have to bring your players back into the game to bail you out. That's exactly what happened," said Loper head coach Rick Squiers. "We wanted to get some of our young playres experience because they need it. But things got a little sideways, Peru didn't give up, we got a little sloppy there in the third and gave away points. We didn't quite know how to be serious enough while having fun playing volleyball."

Setters Ellie Eckman (Lincoln SW) and Callie Squiers (Kearney Catholic) combined for 30 assists with middle Sidney Davis (Dannebrog) at a team-best three blocks. Next, libero Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) had 19 digs and four assists with Schmedding digging up 17 balls. Finally, right side Brynn Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) had five kills and hit .357.

"We did enough over the first two sets, but my critical eye sees a lot of things that are going to be trouble for us when we play MIAA opponents," said Squiers. "We didn't serve well enough; we hit only two something against them in the first set. We do play pretty good defense, got some block touches and were clean over the first two sets."

Peru was paced by Eden Moore (six digs and six kills).

The Lopers first opponent in Cali is the Dominican University Penguins (1-3) Thursday at 8 p.m. Central.
 
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Players Mentioned

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
Callie Squiers

#18 Callie Squiers

S
6' 0"
3rd Year
Grace Schmedding

#9 Grace Schmedding

OH
5' 11"
3rd Year
Ellie Eckman

#1 Ellie Eckman

S
5' 9"
1st Year

Players Mentioned

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
Callie Squiers

#18 Callie Squiers

6' 0"
3rd Year
S
Grace Schmedding

#9 Grace Schmedding

5' 11"
3rd Year
OH
Ellie Eckman

#1 Ellie Eckman

5' 9"
1st Year
S