October 3, 2008

Volleyball Sweeps Highlands

'Pokes No Match for Lopers

      Kearney, Neb. – Junior middle hitter Nikki Scott hit a team-high .727 and sophomore outside hitter Chelsie Carson had a team-high 10 kills to help the 10^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team sweep New Mexico Highlands (-14, -17, -21) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

      UNK (17-1, 7-0 RMAC) remains perfect in league play while the Cowgirls fall to 6-9 (1-6 RMAC) on the year.

      Scott (Broken Bow) led a balanced attack as she had nine kills and only one error in 11 attempts. Besides Carson, freshman outside Shelby Workman (Loveland, Colo.) had seven kills and sophomore middle Jeri Walkowiak (Grand Island) added six kills.

      Highlands ended the night with just 24 kills and a .068 attack percentage. They also had four service errors and had six serve receive miscues.

      The Lopers had the hot hand early on, hitting .438 (17 kills, three errors, 32 attempts) in the first set. Ahead 10-7, UNK went on a 6-2 run that opened up some breathing room.

      The spurt featured two kills from Scott and a block from Walkowiak and junior Shannon Clausen (Beatrice).

       Highlands hung tough in the early going in the next two sets as UNK’s hitting efficiency cooled off to .286 and then to .133.  Trailing by just a 16-14 score in game two, Highlands saw Scott have a kill and then Omaha junior Michaela Kneip came in and quickly served up an ace. The Cowgirls didn’t get closer then four points the rest of the way.

       In game three, Highlands scored five straight points to made a 24-16 score very tight. Junior outside Erica Burson (Gross Catholic) finally put away the Cowgirls with her four kill of the set.

       For Highlands, Doreen Zamora led the way with seven kills and six digs.

      Western New Mexico visits Kearney tomorrow night.