Kearney, Neb. – Junior outside hitter Emilee Lane had a match-high 12 kills to help the third-ranked Nebraska Kearney sweep Emporia State (-22, -14, -14) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
The Lopers (18-0, 6-0) have now tied the 1982 and 2012 teams for the fifth best start in school history. They also beat the Hornets (11-5, 4-3) for a 34th consecutive time, dating back to 1988, with head coach Rick Squiers now a gaudy 424-24 at home in his Loper tenure (1999-present).
On Tuesday, Emporia lost at No. 29 Washburn in five sets. Tonight, they jumped out to an 11-7 lead in the first set on the strength of six kills and a service ace. However, the Lopers called time out, scored six of the next seven points and never looked back. UNK out hit ESU by over 200 points as the Hornets struggled with unforced attack errors over the final two sets. They finished at .034 (30-26-116) and had eight service miscues as well.
Lane (Hays, Kan.) reached her kill tally in 28 swings (.321) with junior middle Abby Rose (Lindsborg, Kan.) at nine kills and a .467 percentage. Next, senior outside Asha Regier (Newton, Kan.) and sophomore middle Mia Berg (Eureka, Mo.) combined for 15 more kills with Berg adding a team-best five blocks. Finally, defensive specialist Lexi Stephens (Ankeny, Ia.) had eight digs with senior right side Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius) at nine digs, two aces and two blocks.
Emporia was paced by Polish senior Weronika Wrzesinska who had nine kills, nine digs and two blocks.
Washburn (13-3, 4-2) swept Fort Hays State tonight and comes to Buckle Court Saturday at 7 p.m. to cap “Homecoming” festivities .
