October 4, 2008

Volleyball Beats Talented Mustangs

Big Night for UNK Middle Hitters

      Kearney, Neb. – The 10^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team ran its win streak to 18 straight matches by sweeping Western New Mexico (-16, -17, -20) Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

      The Mustangs, who beat a nationally-ranked Indianapolis team earlier this year, couldn’t stop UNK middle hitters Jeri Walkowiak (Grand Island) and Nikki Scott (Broken Bow).

     Walkowiak had team-highs in kills (13) and blocks (four) with Scott having 11 kills and two blocks.  With the win, UNK (18-1, 8-0 RMAC) remains the only unbeaten team in RMAC play. Meanwhile, the Mustangs fall to 11-5 (5-3 RMAC) on the year.  

    The news wasn’t all good for the Lopers. Starting right side hitter Shannon Clausen, a junior from Beatrice, left the court midway through the second set with a knee injury. She returned to the court but on crutches.

    In her place, sophomore Kelsey Werner (Grand Island) had four kills in 11 swings to hit .364. She also had two blocks.

    UNK overcame nine attack errors in the first set by smashing home 19 kills. A 12-9 Loper lead quickly grew to eight as Scott and sophomore outside Chelsie Carson (Elkhorn) each had back-to-back kills and Western hit one into the net.

    In the second set, five different Lopers had at least two kills as UNK stormed out to a 14-7 lead and went on to win by eight. Western didn’t go away, however, cutting a 17-8 UNK advantage in the third set down to three, 20-17, after a kill by Yacine Meyer.

   Three kills from Scott, and one from junior outside Erica Burson (Gross Catholic), helped the Lopers stave off the rally attempt.

    Defensively tonight, UNK got 12 digs from libero Kelli Wemhoff (Humphrey) and 10 more from sophomore setter Cola Svec (Elkhorn).

    UNK hosts Peru State Tuesday night. Pictured below are Scott-Walkowiak-Clausen.