Kearney, Neb. - The 3rd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team, along with Mesa State, Metro State and Colorado School of Mines, won on the first day of the 2009 RMAC Tournament at the Health & Sports Center.

The three-day, single elimination eight-team tournament began this afternoon in Kearney and order was restored as the higher seeds went 3-1. Last year, all four lower seeds won opening round matches.

UNK (32-1) ran its win streak to 26 straight matches by sweeping 8th-seed Western New Mexico (-21, -19, -19). The Lopers will face 5th-seed Mines (22-8) tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m as the Orediggers swept 4th-seed Colorado-Colorado Springs (-16, -22, -19).

The two teams just met this past Saturday in Kearney with the Lopers posting a 3-1 win.

Earlier on Thursday, 2nd-seed Mesa State won a five-set battle with 7th-seed Adams State (20-25, -22, -25, 19-25, -11) and 3rd-seed Metro (22-7) swept 6th-seed Regis (-19, -17, -23).

In the Lopers win over the Mustangs (12-6), UNK trailed just three times all night but Western hung tough in each set. Kearney recorded 13 more kills (46-33) and had eight aces from the service line.

Lopers of the Match
Kelsey Werner (Jr., OH, Grand Island) - 12 kills in 35 swings, 3 blocks, 3 digs
Erica Burson (Sr., OH Gross Catholic) - 10 kills in 23 swings, 1 solo block
Nikki Scott (Sr., MH, Broken Bow) - 10 kills in 21 swings, .429 attack pct., 4 blocks, 3 digs
Jeri Walkowiak (Jr., MH, Grand Island) - 9 kills in 20 swings, .350 attack pct., 3 blocks, 3 digs
Shelby Workman (So., OH, Loveland, Colo.) - 4 aces, including 3 in a row, 3 digs

Up Next (Friday)
Mesa Vs. Metro, 5:00 p.m.
Mines Vs. UNK, 7:30 p.m.