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Kearney, Neb. – The sixth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has now swept nine straight opponents after downing Oklahoma Christian (-14, -12, -10) and Chadron State (-13, -16, -13) Saturday at the Health & Sports Center.
These matches were part of the annual Rosella Meier Fall Classic and UNK again went 4-0 in the event to move to 9-0 on the young season. They wrap up a six-match homestand Tuesday night when Hastings (8-2) comes to town.
“I like how our team is playing. The scores don’t indicate how hard we had to play; Chadron had found a lineup the last two matches that they feel good about. We had to earn our points; they didn’t give them to us with a bunch of errors,” said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. “We had 19 kills in the first set, 18 in the second. That
means you’re having to score your points and I’m glad we can do that.”
UNK held both of its Friday opponents to a negative hitting efficiency and almost did it again as the previously unbeaten OC Eagles finished up at -.020 (20-22-101) with Chadron at .069 (24-17-101). The Lopers averaged just under 18 digs per set while also recording 13 team blocks and serving up 11 aces.
A big part of the defensive effort came from graduate transfer libero Alli Wiese (Mattawan, Mich.) who tallied 26 digs, five aces and nine assists as well as a couple of “wow” plays. She previously was a two-time All-American at Hillsdale (Mich.) College.
“She is amazing. We knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was that good. Her coach told me she was a gem, and it was breaking his heart they didn’t have a master’s program,” said Squiers. “She’s the real deal and even a better person than a volleyball player. The team loves her and she’s acclimated well.”
Against the Eagles (7-1), UNK saw junior outside Emilee Lane (Hays, Kan.) have 10 kills in 18 swings (.556 pct.) with six others between three and seven kills. That included junior middle Abby Rose (Lindsborg, Kan.) and graduate setter Peyton Neff (North Platte). The Lopers trailed just once as they hit .293 with senior DS Addyson Mock (Stilwell, Kan.) serving up five aces and sophomore middle Mia Berg (Eureka, Mo.) having six stuffs at the net.
“I’m happy we’re off to a good start and I think our team has gained some confidence. We have some newcomers so it’s always important to find a way to gel over the first few weeks,” said Squiers.
The Lopers went with a different lineup against CSC (2-6), starting freshman right side Brynn Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) and sophomore outside Carly Purdy (North Platte) with freshman DS Rhyan Mock (Stilwell, Kan.) getting run in the backrow and playing alongside her sister.
Lane (11 kills, .550 pct.) had another big effort with Purdy at 13 kills and a .458 efficiency and Berg providing 10 kills and a .450 percentage. UNK trailed just twice in the match with the Mock’s combining for 15 digs and junior middle Trista Marx (Limon, Colo.) having eight kills in 14 swings (.571 pct.) in a starting role.
“Really happy (with the different lineup). You never know, especially with the true freshmen coming in, how it’ll go. I thought Rhyan was very good; handled herself well on defense and in serve receive, Brynn got off to a great start and she changes the dynamic over there on the right side,” said Squiers. “Trista and Carly played well … feel like we have positions that are still being competed for which tends to make everyone a little bit better.”
An all-tournament team will be announced on Monday.
Other Tourney Scores
Mary 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-22, -21, -21)
Chadron 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-16, -18, -23)
Oklahoma Christian 3, Mary 0 (-19, -22, -17)
