Story by NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska wraps up its five-match away streak as the Huskers (3-4-0, 0-1-0 Big Ten) travel to Michigan to face the #5 Spartans (6-0-2, 1-0-0 Big Ten) on Thursday and the Wolverines (1-6-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten) on Sunday. Action against MSU is set for 5 p.m. (CT) and will air on BTN, while the match against Michigan will be streamed on Big Ten Plus starting at 12 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

The Huskers return home to host Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7:05 p.m. (CT) on BTN and #9 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1:05 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Plus.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska wraps up its five-match away streak as the Huskers (3-4-0, 0-1-0 Big Ten) travel to Michigan to face the #5 Spartans (6-0-2, 1-0-0 Big Ten) on Thursday and the Wolverines (1-6-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten) on Sunday. Action against MSU is set for 5 p.m. (CT) and will air on BTN, while the match against Michigan will be streamed on Big Ten Plus starting at 12 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Next UpThe Huskers return home to host Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7:05 p.m. (CT) on BTN and #9 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1:05 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Plus.Numbers to Watch<ul>
 <li>Sarah Weber, a 2024 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, recorded her second career hat trick against Creighton. It’s the 36th hat trick in school history and second of the 2024 season for Weber.&nbsp;</li><li>Weber is also fourth in school history with 284 total shots, sitting just behind Morgan Marlborough (287) in third, and ninth in shots on goal with 114, nine behind Brittany Timko in eighth. Additionally, Weber currently is second in the country in shots per game, as she is averaging 5.57.</li><li>Florence Belzile is currently ninth all-time in Husker history with 25 career assists, just two shy of Lindsay Eddleman in eighth. Jordan Zade, the team’s assists leader, has four on the season.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Quick Notes<ul>
 <li>The Huskers have 10 regular-season home games scheduled for their 10th season at Hibner Stadium in 2024.&nbsp;</li><li>NU returns three of four All-Big Ten performers from last season, seniors Weber, Haley Peterson and Zade. Nebraska’s all-time all-conference total increased to 110, including 38 honorees since joining the Big Ten in 2011.</li><li>During the 2023 season, the Huskers averaged 1,326 fans per game at Hibner Stadium, third most in Husker history and 15th in the nation. To start the 2024 season, NU has averaged 6,417 fans, good for sixth in the country. This season’s match against Creighton garnered 2,382 fans, second-most all-time at Hibner Stadium.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Scouting Michigan State&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Michigan State finished the 2023 season with a 14-5-3 mark overall and 7-1-2 record in conference play. The Spartans fell to Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament but qualified for the NCAA Tournament and made it to the third round.&nbsp;</li><li>The Spartans are undefeated on the season and have five shutouts, with quality wins over Notre Dame and Ole Miss. After hosting Nebraska on Thursday, Michigan State will meet Penn State in University Park, Pa.&nbsp;</li><li>Head Coach Jeff Hosler is in his fourth season at the helm of the Michigan State soccer program. He’s the third coach in program history and holds a 282-80-29 career record and 47-13-11 mark at Michigan State.&nbsp;</li><li>Michigan State leads the all-time series 5-4-2 between the two teams. Most recently, NU fell to the Spartans during the 2022 Big Ten Tournament.</li>
 </ul>Scouting Michigan&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>In the 2023 season, Michigan finished with a 7-7-4 overall record, including a 3-5-2 mark in Big Ten competition. The Wolverines qualified for the NCAA Tournament but fell in the first round to Princeton, 0-1.&nbsp;​</li><li>Michigan has opened the 2024 season with a 1-6-1 record. Their lone win was against #24 Alabama, 1-0, and the Wolverines tied Iowa State, 2-2. Michigan faces Minnesota on Thursday night before its matchup against Nebraska on Sunday.&nbsp;</li><li>Head Coach Jennifer Klein is in her seventh season with the Michigan soccer team. The third Michigan head coach, Klein holds a 64-43-16 career mark, good for the highest winning percentage in Michigan program history.&nbsp;</li><li>Michigan leads the all-time series between the programs, 10-2-3, dating back to 1994. Most recently, the Huskers defeated Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2022, 1-0.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Huskers continue Conference play at #5 Michigan State, Michigan  

LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team swept No. 2 Stanford (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) in front of a crowd of 8,952 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

It marked the first win by Nebraska (9-1) over Stanford (7-1) in four tries in the Devaney Center since the Huskers moved into the building in 2013.&nbsp;

NU hit .263 on the match and held Stanford to .100, its lowest hitting percentage of the year. Stanford entered the match with the fourth-best hitting percentage in the nation.

The Big Red had a 9-4 advantage in blocks and a 5-2 edge in service aces. Nebraska also only had four service errors to the Cardinals 10.&nbsp;

Andi Jackson notched nine kills on a .600 hitting percentage. She also added five blocks. Lindsay Krause registered nine kills, while Merritt Beason had eight and Harper Murray had six. Rebekah Allick totaled four blocks.

Bergen Reilly contributed 27 assists, along with a season-high four kills and a .667 hitting percentage. She also posted eight digs. Lexi Rodriguez posted nine digs and two service aces.

Elia Rubin led Stanford with 10 kills.&nbsp;

Set 1: Behind kills from Beason, Murray and Jackson and an ace from Rodriguez, NU hopped out to a 5-1 lead. Reilly and Jackson combined for a block and Murray put down an overpass to help extend the lead to 9-2. Stanford brought the score within five at 16-11, before three straight Cardinal errors put the Big Red up 19-11. Jackson’s third and fourth kills of the set stretched the advantage to 21-13, and a Krause kill put the Huskers at set point. A Beason kill closed out the 25-17 set victory. Nebraska hit .406 in the set and held Stanford to .114. The Huskers sided out at 77.8 percent.&nbsp;

Set 2: A Jackson/Murray block, two Beason kills and a Rodriguez ace gave NU an 8-2 lead. But Stanford went on a 8-0 run on the serve of Rubin to take a 10-8 lead. Two Reilly kills helped tie the score at 13-13. The Cardinal grabbed a 17-14 lead, but the Huskers fought back, and two straight Jackson kills and a Stanford hitting error put the Big Red up 20-18. Murray’s fourth kill of the match and a solo block by Allick gave the Huskers a 23-20 lead. Krause put the ball down to give Nebraska set point at 24-21, and a Beason kill won the set, 25-22.

Set 3: Jackson contributed two kills and an assisted block with Beason to put the Huskers ahead 6-3, and a kill apiece by Murray and Krause extended the advantage to 8-4. Allick posted a kill and two straight assisted blocks – one with Krause and one with Beason – to make the score 12-6. The Big Red went on a 6-2 run to take an 18-8 lead. Two straight Murray aces stretched the lead to 23-10. Reilly’s fourth kill put NU at match point, and a Krause kill finished off the 3-0 victory. Nebraska hit .400 in the third set and sided out at 80 percent.

Up Next: The Huskers will head to Louisville, Ky., to take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on Sunday, Sept. 22. The match is set to start at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and will be televised on ABC, with audio coverage on the Huskers Radio Network.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsLINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team swept No. 2 Stanford (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) in front of a crowd of 8,952 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Wednesday night.&nbsp;It marked the first win by Nebraska (9-1) over Stanford (7-1) in four tries in the Devaney Center since the Huskers moved into the building in 2013.&nbsp;NU hit .263 on the match and held Stanford to .100, its lowest hitting percentage of the year. Stanford entered the match with the fourth-best hitting percentage in the nation.The Big Red had a 9-4 advantage in blocks and a 5-2 edge in service aces. Nebraska also only had four service errors to the Cardinals 10.&nbsp;Andi Jackson notched nine kills on a .600 hitting percentage. She also added five blocks. Lindsay Krause registered nine kills, while Merritt Beason had eight and Harper Murray had six. Rebekah Allick totaled four blocks.Bergen Reilly contributed 27 assists, along with a season-high four kills and a .667 hitting percentage. She also posted eight digs. Lexi Rodriguez posted nine digs and two service aces.Elia Rubin led Stanford with 10 kills.&nbsp;Set 1: Behind kills from Beason, Murray and Jackson and an ace from Rodriguez, NU hopped out to a 5-1 lead. Reilly and Jackson combined for a block and Murray put down an overpass to help extend the lead to 9-2. Stanford brought the score within five at 16-11, before three straight Cardinal errors put the Big Red up 19-11. Jackson’s third and fourth kills of the set stretched the advantage to 21-13, and a Krause kill put the Huskers at set point. A Beason kill closed out the 25-17 set victory. Nebraska hit .406 in the set and held Stanford to .114. The Huskers sided out at 77.8 percent.&nbsp;Set 2: A Jackson/Murray block, two Beason kills and a Rodriguez ace gave NU an 8-2 lead. But Stanford went on a 8-0 run on the serve of Rubin to take a 10-8 lead. Two Reilly kills helped tie the score at 13-13. The Cardinal grabbed a 17-14 lead, but the Huskers fought back, and two straight Jackson kills and a Stanford hitting error put the Big Red up 20-18. Murray’s fourth kill of the match and a solo block by Allick gave the Huskers a 23-20 lead. Krause put the ball down to give Nebraska set point at 24-21, and a Beason kill won the set, 25-22.Set 3: Jackson contributed two kills and an assisted block with Beason to put the Huskers ahead 6-3, and a kill apiece by Murray and Krause extended the advantage to 8-4. Allick posted a kill and two straight assisted blocks – one with Krause and one with Beason – to make the score 12-6. The Big Red went on a 6-2 run to take an 18-8 lead. Two straight Murray aces stretched the lead to 23-10. Reilly’s fourth kill put NU at match point, and a Krause kill finished off the 3-0 victory. Nebraska hit .400 in the third set and sided out at 80 percent.Up Next: The Huskers will head to Louisville, Ky., to take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on Sunday, Sept. 22. The match is set to start at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and will be televised on ABC, with audio coverage on the Huskers Radio Network.

Huskers strike down No. 2 Stanford

• The fifth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team begins its final week of non-conference action with a 7 p.m. match against No. 2 Stanford on Wednesday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

• Wednesday’s match will be televised on Big Ten Network and streamed on FoxSportsGo. Larry Punteney and Emily Ehman will be on the call. &nbsp;

• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast all the action on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.&nbsp;

• Nebraska has won 30 home matches in a row dating back to Nov. 26, 2022.&nbsp;

• The Huskers hitting percentage ranks eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten at .303.

• NU ranks ninth nationally in kills per set (14.42) and 11th in assists per set (13.39).&nbsp;

• Outside hitter Harper Murray is leading the Huskers with 3.30 kills per set.&nbsp;

• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is averaging 2.84 kills per set for the Big Red. In last week’s three matches, Beason put up 3.55 kills per set on .383 hitting.&nbsp;

• Outside hitter Lindsay Krause adds 2.50 kills per set and has served a team-high 10 aces.&nbsp;

• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.65 kills with a team-best .500 hitting percentage, which ranks seventh nationally.&nbsp;

• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 2.17 kills per set on .379 hitting and has put up 34 blocks for an average of 1.42 per set.&nbsp;

• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 11.48 assists per set, which ranks third nationally. She also adds 3.19 digs per set and has nine aces.&nbsp;

• Three-time All-American Lexi Rodriguez guides the Husker back row with 3.68 digs per set .

• No. 2 Stanford possesses one of the top offenses in the country. The Cardinal rank fourth in hitting percentage (.313), fifth in kills per set (14.58) and fifth in assists per set (13.58).&nbsp;

• Elia Rubin leads Stanford with 4.23 kills per set, and Ipar Kurt adds 3.15 kills per set.&nbsp;

• Jordyn Harvey contributes 2.73 kills per set and ranks third nationally in aces per set (0.77). &nbsp;&nbsp;

• Setter Kami Miner (10.65 assists per set) is a two-time first-team All-American.&nbsp;

• Stanford leads the all-time series, 12-7. Nebraska won 3-1 in Palo Alto last year on Sept. 12 to snap a five-match losing streak to Stanford.&nbsp;

• Stanford is 3-0 all-time against Nebraska in the Devaney Center.&nbsp;

RODRIGUEZ AMONG ALL-TIME GREAT NU LIBEROS

• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Nebraska volleyball history.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez made her mark instantly as a freshman in 2021, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Over the last two seasons, Rodriguez has guided the Huskers to the No. 1 defense in the country, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year again in 2023 to become the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive the honor twice in a career.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez has 1,538 career digs, which ranks fifth in school history. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in assists at NU with 1,890. With 30 more digs, Rodriguez will tie Jennifer Saleaumua for No. 4 all-time.

• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason made an instant impact on the Nebraska volleyball program after transferring from Florida in 2023, and she is looking to take the next step in her senior season as a second-year captain.&nbsp;

• Last year, Beason put together a sensational season, earning AVCA first-team All-America honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.&nbsp;

• Beason averaged a team-leading 3.76 kills per set on .282 hitting with 2.05 digs per set. She was named Big Ten Player of the Week four times and was the AVCA National Player of the Week on Oct. 23 after averaging 4.25 kills per set and 1.75 digs per set in wins against Northwestern and top-ranked Wisconsin.&nbsp;

• Beason was the MVP of the NCAA Lincoln Regional after 19 kills, 11 digs and a career-high eight blocks in a regional final win over Arkansas.&nbsp;

VERSATILE MURRAY HIGHLIGHTS SOPHOMORE CLASS

• Along with Bergen Reilly, Andi Jackson and Laney Choboy, sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray made an instant impact at Nebraska in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-America Third Team honors.&nbsp;

• Murray finished her freshman campaign with 3.23 kills per set, the highest kills per set average by a Husker freshman since Kadie Rolfzen (3.46) in 2013. One of the Big Ten’s best six-rotation players, Murray also added 2.07 digs per set with a team-high 36 aces. She was a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week.&nbsp;

• Murray is off to a solid start to her sophomore season, leading the Huskers in kills with 3.30 per set while hitting .249 with 2.37 digs and 0.57 blocks per set.&nbsp;

KRAUSE LOOKING TO PICK UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF

• Senior outside hitter Lindsay Krause was having the best year of her Husker career in 2023 before it ended in mid-October with an ankle injury. At the time of her injury, Krause was averaging 2.50 kills per set and was hitting .285 for the season.&nbsp;

• Not only that, Krause was putting up 2.82 kills per set on .366 hitting through six Big Ten matches, which led all Big Ten outside hitters in conference action at the time.&nbsp;

• Krause was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 9 following a season-high 15 kills on .519 hitting at Michigan and nine kills on .381 hitting at Michigan State. &nbsp;

• This season, Krause is averaging 2.50 kills per set and leads the team with 10 service aces.&nbsp;

• Sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was the Big Ten Setter of the Year in 2023, becoming the first freshman to win the award since it originated in 2012. Reilly was also an AVCA second-team All-American and an All-Big Ten first-team selection.&nbsp;

• Reilly led all Big Ten setters with 10.51 assists per set in 2023, and she has received six career Big Ten Setter of the Week honors, including on Sept. 2 and Sept. 16 this season.&nbsp;

• Reilly was named Best Setter at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville, Ky., as she guided the Huskers to a 3-1 win over No. 9 Kentucky with 39 assists and 11 digs.&nbsp;

• Reilly ranks third nationally with 11.48 assists per set this season.&nbsp;

• Sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson showed enormous athleticism and potential the first time she stepped on the floor as a Husker, and she followed through with a strong debut season that included AVCA All-Region, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.&nbsp;

• Jackson averaged 2.01 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set with a .399 hitting percentage in 2023, which ranked third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation. Her hitting percentage was the best ever by a Husker freshman and ranked seventh all-time in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;

• Along with Reilly, Jackson helped the U.S. U21 National Team win the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto this summer, hitting .654 throughout the tournament with 39 kills and 10 blocks.&nbsp;

• Jackson has elevated her game to new heights in 2024, as she is averaging 2.65 kills per set with a .500 hitting percentage, which ranks seventh in the nation.&nbsp;

• Junior middle blocker Rebekah Allick is a two-time AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten second-team selection. Last season, she averaged 1.76 kills per set with a team-high 1.50 blocks per set, which ranked second among Big Ten players and seven in the nation. Her 1.50 blocks per set was also the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;

• Allick was at her best at the end of the 2023 season, registering a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas and 10 blocks in the NCAA semifinal sweep of Pittsburgh.&nbsp;

• In the season-opening victory over Kentucky, Allick had 11 kills and hit .667 while tying her career high with 12 blocks. Her performance earned her Best Middle Blocker and Most Valuable Player honors at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in the first three matches of the season, which earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

• Allick leads the Huskers with 1.42 blocks per set so far this season. Offensively, she has provided 2.17 kills per set on .379 hitting.&nbsp;

HALL OF FAME COACH COOK IN YEAR 25 AT NU &nbsp; &nbsp;

• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 25th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2024. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 13 conference championships and 22 top-10 final rankings since 2000.&nbsp;

• Cook has 858 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .873 win percentage (697-101).&nbsp;

• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 68 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000, 2005 and 2023, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.

• In 2023, Cook was voted AVCA National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s time at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.

• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsMATCH PREVIEW• The fifth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team begins its final week of non-conference action with a 7 p.m. match against No. 2 Stanford on Wednesday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.• Wednesday’s match will be televised on Big Ten Network and streamed on FoxSportsGo. Larry Punteney and Emily Ehman will be on the call. &nbsp;• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast all the action on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.&nbsp;ABOUT THE HUSKERS• Nebraska has won 30 home matches in a row dating back to Nov. 26, 2022.&nbsp;• The Huskers hitting percentage ranks eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten at .303.• NU ranks ninth nationally in kills per set (14.42) and 11th in assists per set (13.39).&nbsp;• Outside hitter Harper Murray is leading the Huskers with 3.30 kills per set.&nbsp;• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is averaging 2.84 kills per set for the Big Red. In last week’s three matches, Beason put up 3.55 kills per set on .383 hitting.&nbsp;• Outside hitter Lindsay Krause adds 2.50 kills per set and has served a team-high 10 aces.&nbsp;• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.65 kills with a team-best .500 hitting percentage, which ranks seventh nationally.&nbsp;• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 2.17 kills per set on .379 hitting and has put up 34 blocks for an average of 1.42 per set.&nbsp;• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 11.48 assists per set, which ranks third nationally. She also adds 3.19 digs per set and has nine aces.&nbsp;• Three-time All-American Lexi Rodriguez guides the Husker back row with 3.68 digs per set .SCOUTING REPORT: STANFORD• No. 2 Stanford possesses one of the top offenses in the country. The Cardinal rank fourth in hitting percentage (.313), fifth in kills per set (14.58) and fifth in assists per set (13.58).&nbsp;• Elia Rubin leads Stanford with 4.23 kills per set, and Ipar Kurt adds 3.15 kills per set.&nbsp;• Jordyn Harvey contributes 2.73 kills per set and ranks third nationally in aces per set (0.77). &nbsp;&nbsp;• Setter Kami Miner (10.65 assists per set) is a two-time first-team All-American.&nbsp;SERIES HISTORY• Stanford leads the all-time series, 12-7. Nebraska won 3-1 in Palo Alto last year on Sept. 12 to snap a five-match losing streak to Stanford.&nbsp;• Stanford is 3-0 all-time against Nebraska in the Devaney Center.&nbsp;RODRIGUEZ AMONG ALL-TIME GREAT NU LIBEROS• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Nebraska volleyball history.&nbsp;• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.&nbsp;• Rodriguez made her mark instantly as a freshman in 2021, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Over the last two seasons, Rodriguez has guided the Huskers to the No. 1 defense in the country, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year again in 2023 to become the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive the honor twice in a career.&nbsp;• Rodriguez has 1,538 career digs, which ranks fifth in school history. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in assists at NU with 1,890. With 30 more digs, Rodriguez will tie Jennifer Saleaumua for No. 4 all-time.BEASON BACK TO LEAD HUSKER ATTACK AGAIN• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason made an instant impact on the Nebraska volleyball program after transferring from Florida in 2023, and she is looking to take the next step in her senior season as a second-year captain.&nbsp;• Last year, Beason put together a sensational season, earning AVCA first-team All-America honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.&nbsp;• Beason averaged a team-leading 3.76 kills per set on .282 hitting with 2.05 digs per set. She was named Big Ten Player of the Week four times and was the AVCA National Player of the Week on Oct. 23 after averaging 4.25 kills per set and 1.75 digs per set in wins against Northwestern and top-ranked Wisconsin.&nbsp;• Beason was the MVP of the NCAA Lincoln Regional after 19 kills, 11 digs and a career-high eight blocks in a regional final win over Arkansas.&nbsp;VERSATILE MURRAY HIGHLIGHTS SOPHOMORE CLASS• Along with Bergen Reilly, Andi Jackson and Laney Choboy, sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray made an instant impact at Nebraska in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-America Third Team honors.&nbsp;• Murray finished her freshman campaign with 3.23 kills per set, the highest kills per set average by a Husker freshman since Kadie Rolfzen (3.46) in 2013. One of the Big Ten’s best six-rotation players, Murray also added 2.07 digs per set with a team-high 36 aces. She was a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week.&nbsp;• Murray is off to a solid start to her sophomore season, leading the Huskers in kills with 3.30 per set while hitting .249 with 2.37 digs and 0.57 blocks per set.&nbsp;KRAUSE LOOKING TO PICK UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF• Senior outside hitter Lindsay Krause was having the best year of her Husker career in 2023 before it ended in mid-October with an ankle injury. At the time of her injury, Krause was averaging 2.50 kills per set and was hitting .285 for the season.&nbsp;• Not only that, Krause was putting up 2.82 kills per set on .366 hitting through six Big Ten matches, which led all Big Ten outside hitters in conference action at the time.&nbsp;• Krause was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 9 following a season-high 15 kills on .519 hitting at Michigan and nine kills on .381 hitting at Michigan State. &nbsp;• This season, Krause is averaging 2.50 kills per set and leads the team with 10 service aces.&nbsp;REILLY SETS THE TONE• Sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was the Big Ten Setter of the Year in 2023, becoming the first freshman to win the award since it originated in 2012. Reilly was also an AVCA second-team All-American and an All-Big Ten first-team selection.&nbsp;• Reilly led all Big Ten setters with 10.51 assists per set in 2023, and she has received six career Big Ten Setter of the Week honors, including on Sept. 2 and Sept. 16 this season.&nbsp;• Reilly was named Best Setter at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville, Ky., as she guided the Huskers to a 3-1 win over No. 9 Kentucky with 39 assists and 11 digs.&nbsp;• Reilly ranks third nationally with 11.48 assists per set this season.&nbsp;JACKSON IN ACTION• Sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson showed enormous athleticism and potential the first time she stepped on the floor as a Husker, and she followed through with a strong debut season that included AVCA All-Region, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.&nbsp;• Jackson averaged 2.01 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set with a .399 hitting percentage in 2023, which ranked third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation. Her hitting percentage was the best ever by a Husker freshman and ranked seventh all-time in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;• Along with Reilly, Jackson helped the U.S. U21 National Team win the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto this summer, hitting .654 throughout the tournament with 39 kills and 10 blocks.&nbsp;• Jackson has elevated her game to new heights in 2024, as she is averaging 2.65 kills per set with a .500 hitting percentage, which ranks seventh in the nation.&nbsp;ALLICK ON A BLOCKING TEAR• Junior middle blocker Rebekah Allick is a two-time AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten second-team selection. Last season, she averaged 1.76 kills per set with a team-high 1.50 blocks per set, which ranked second among Big Ten players and seven in the nation. Her 1.50 blocks per set was also the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;• Allick was at her best at the end of the 2023 season, registering a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas and 10 blocks in the NCAA semifinal sweep of Pittsburgh.&nbsp;• In the season-opening victory over Kentucky, Allick had 11 kills and hit .667 while tying her career high with 12 blocks. Her performance earned her Best Middle Blocker and Most Valuable Player honors at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in the first three matches of the season, which earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.• Allick leads the Huskers with 1.42 blocks per set so far this season. Offensively, she has provided 2.17 kills per set on .379 hitting.&nbsp;HALL OF FAME COACH COOK IN YEAR 25 AT NU &nbsp; &nbsp;• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 25th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2024. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 13 conference championships and 22 top-10 final rankings since 2000.&nbsp;• Cook has 858 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .873 win percentage (697-101).&nbsp;• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 68 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000, 2005 and 2023, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.• In 2023, Cook was voted AVCA National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s time at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.&nbsp;

No. 5 Huskers host No. 2 Stanford Wednesday

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The now fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team swept its 10th straight opponent when it got past Hastings College (-<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/boxscore.aspx?path=wvball&amp;id=7956">10, -14, -13</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.

The Lopers (10-0) finish this homestand a perfect 6-0 while the Broncos remain 7-3 as this was an exhibition match for them per NAIA rules. The 10 straight sweeps is the longest by the Blue &amp; Gold since an 11-match effort early in the 2016 season.

UNK once again showed off its depth and defense as eight different Lopers registered a kill with Hastings hitting just .041 (28-23-121). On the season, UNK's foes are hitting only .034 and averaging eight kills per set.

"That's kind of who we are. We pass well and so we can run all five hitters, and we can also bring a couple (hitters) off the bench," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers.&nbsp;"I was pleased how we played tonight from a cleanliness standpoint. We didn't get sloppy, we didn't error, and I thought Hastings came to play. I can see why they are on the rise."

Senior outside&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;(Newton, Kan.) paced the offense with a match-high 11 kills in 32 swings (.312 pct.) with junior middle&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;(Limon, Colo.) at 10 kills in 17 swings (.471 pct.) in a starting role.

"We think we have three middles that can play, and I think we're going to need all three," said Squiers. "Especially coming off this weekend when everybody has a little something; a sore shoulder, little fatigue. You need three lefts, you need three middles and we got the&nbsp;Lizzy Spah&nbsp;in tonight on the right."

There were five ties in the match and no lead changes as UNK dug 60 balls, had four team blocks and served up three aces. Graduate libero&nbsp;Alli Wiese&nbsp;(Mattawan, Mich.) had a season-best 23 digs with sophomore middle&nbsp;Mia Berg&nbsp;(Eureka, Mo.) at three block assists. Finally, redshirt sophomore DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) served up two more aces, pushing her fall total to a team-best 15."Alli is the anchor (in serve receive) but&nbsp;Lauren Taubenheim&nbsp;is as good as serve receiver passer as we've had here in a long time. We're getting nice production out of Lexi, Asha chips in, we can bring in&nbsp;Rhyan Mock. We've worked hard in that part of the game," said Squiers.

Hastings was paced by Sumner freshman Mikah O'Neill (nine kills), Broken Bow senior Kaitlin Thiebauth (eight kills) and Lincoln senior libero Miriam Miller (18 digs).UNK faces Rockhurst Friday night in Kansas City and then Drury (Mo.) Saturday afternoon in Warrensburg. The RU Hawks (6-2) beat No. 23 Central Missouri tonight in KC, 3-1, with DU facing UCM Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The now fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team swept its 10th straight opponent when it got past Hastings College (-<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/boxscore.aspx?path=wvball&amp;id=7956">10, -14, -13</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.The Lopers (10-0) finish this homestand a perfect 6-0 while the Broncos remain 7-3 as this was an exhibition match for them per NAIA rules. The 10 straight sweeps is the longest by the Blue &amp; Gold since an 11-match effort early in the 2016 season.UNK once again showed off its depth and defense as eight different Lopers registered a kill with Hastings hitting just .041 (28-23-121). On the season, UNK's foes are hitting only .034 and averaging eight kills per set."That's kind of who we are. We pass well and so we can run all five hitters, and we can also bring a couple (hitters) off the bench," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers.&nbsp;"I was pleased how we played tonight from a cleanliness standpoint. We didn't get sloppy, we didn't error, and I thought Hastings came to play. I can see why they are on the rise."Senior outside&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;(Newton, Kan.) paced the offense with a match-high 11 kills in 32 swings (.312 pct.) with junior middle&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;(Limon, Colo.) at 10 kills in 17 swings (.471 pct.) in a starting role."We think we have three middles that can play, and I think we're going to need all three," said Squiers. "Especially coming off this weekend when everybody has a little something; a sore shoulder, little fatigue. You need three lefts, you need three middles and we got the&nbsp;Lizzy Spah&nbsp;in tonight on the right."There were five ties in the match and no lead changes as UNK dug 60 balls, had four team blocks and served up three aces. Graduate libero&nbsp;Alli Wiese&nbsp;(Mattawan, Mich.) had a season-best 23 digs with sophomore middle&nbsp;Mia Berg&nbsp;(Eureka, Mo.) at three block assists. Finally, redshirt sophomore DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) served up two more aces, pushing her fall total to a team-best 15."Alli is the anchor (in serve receive) but&nbsp;Lauren Taubenheim&nbsp;is as good as serve receiver passer as we've had here in a long time. We're getting nice production out of Lexi, Asha chips in, we can bring in&nbsp;Rhyan Mock. We've worked hard in that part of the game," said Squiers.Hastings was paced by Sumner freshman Mikah O'Neill (nine kills), Broken Bow senior Kaitlin Thiebauth (eight kills) and Lincoln senior libero Miriam Miller (18 digs).UNK faces Rockhurst Friday night in Kansas City and then Drury (Mo.) Saturday afternoon in Warrensburg. The RU Hawks (6-2) beat No. 23 Central Missouri tonight in KC, 3-1, with DU facing UCM Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Lopers in K.C. Friday night to face Rockhurst

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College used 49 kills to defeat Southeast Community College, 3-1, at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

Knights were led by&nbsp;Zoe Maher&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jaelyn Dicke&nbsp;who totaled 11 kills apiece in the match.&nbsp;EmiLee Walnofer&nbsp;finished with 26 digs, while&nbsp;Aubrey Grant&nbsp;tallied 35 assists against the Bobcats.

In the opening set, the Knights used a 6-0 run to distance themselves from the Bobcats. North Platte traded points with the visitors until another 5-0 run stretched the lead to 18-9. The Knights defense allowed just two more points, as they clinched the first set on a kill by Dicke.

Four straight points helped the Knights take the lead early in the second set. Knights continued to cruise as they stretched their lead to 17-6 on a&nbsp;Nya Lual&nbsp;kill. A couple of errors helped Southeast stop the bleeding, before they rallied with four straight points late in the set. Leading 22-12, the Knights secured the final three points to take a two-set advantage.

North Platte led by as many as five in the early moments of the third set. Southeast fought back to knot the game up at 12, before stretching the deficit to four on an attacking error. An&nbsp;Ella Rotherham&nbsp;kill gave the home team a one point advantage, but a 6-1 run helped Southeast secure the set.

Two straight points by the Bobcats was met with a set changing 7-0 run. The lead began to dwindle as Southeast climbed back within one midway through the set. A 4-1 burst provided the breathing room North Platte needed. A kill by&nbsp;Fatima Gomez&nbsp;stretched the lead to 21-17, as the Knights went on to close out the match.

Knights (5-14) continue Region IX play against Central Community College on Thursday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium in North Platte.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNorth Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College used 49 kills to defeat Southeast Community College, 3-1, at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Tuesday night.Knights were led by&nbsp;Zoe Maher&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jaelyn Dicke&nbsp;who totaled 11 kills apiece in the match.&nbsp;EmiLee Walnofer&nbsp;finished with 26 digs, while&nbsp;Aubrey Grant&nbsp;tallied 35 assists against the Bobcats.In the opening set, the Knights used a 6-0 run to distance themselves from the Bobcats. North Platte traded points with the visitors until another 5-0 run stretched the lead to 18-9. The Knights defense allowed just two more points, as they clinched the first set on a kill by Dicke.Four straight points helped the Knights take the lead early in the second set. Knights continued to cruise as they stretched their lead to 17-6 on a&nbsp;Nya Lual&nbsp;kill. A couple of errors helped Southeast stop the bleeding, before they rallied with four straight points late in the set. Leading 22-12, the Knights secured the final three points to take a two-set advantage.North Platte led by as many as five in the early moments of the third set. Southeast fought back to knot the game up at 12, before stretching the deficit to four on an attacking error. An&nbsp;Ella Rotherham&nbsp;kill gave the home team a one point advantage, but a 6-1 run helped Southeast secure the set.Two straight points by the Bobcats was met with a set changing 7-0 run. The lead began to dwindle as Southeast climbed back within one midway through the set. A 4-1 burst provided the breathing room North Platte needed. A kill by&nbsp;Fatima Gomez&nbsp;stretched the lead to 21-17, as the Knights went on to close out the match.Knights (5-14) continue Region IX play against Central Community College on Thursday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium in North Platte.

Knights open region play with win over Bobcats

Bertrand def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 25-22, 25-9 (2-0)

Brady def. Bertrand, 25-20, 22-25, 30-28 (2-1)

Brady def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 25-12, 25-14 (2-0)

Chase County def. Sedgwick County (Julesburg/Revere), CO, 25-17, 25-17, 17-25, 25-23 (3-1)

Gothenburg def. North Platte St. Patrick's, 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 (3-0)

Lexington def. North Platte, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23 (3-1)

Maywood-Hayes Center def. Hershey, 26-24, 25-15, 21-25, 25-17 (3-1)

Overton def. Maxwell, 25-13, 25-11, 28-26 (3-0)

Paxton def. South Platte, 25-15, 25-13 (2-0)

Perkins County def. Paxton, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19 (2-1)

Perkins County def. South Platte, 25-13, 22-25, 28-17 (2-1)

Sandhills/Thedford def. Medicine Valley, 25-20, 25-10, 25-17 (3-0)

Southwest def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-11, 25-15, 25-16 (3-0)

Sutherland def. Mullen, 23-25, 25-22, 25-12 (2-1)

Sutherland def. Wallace, 25-15, 25-16 (2-0)

North Platte High School at Hastings invite

<h2>Softball</h2>Bayard 10 vs Chase County 0Gering 15 @ Chase County 1Bayard 2 vs Gering 12Centura 9 vs Southern Valley/Alma 3Cozad 17 vs Lexington 6Gering 15 @ Chase County 1Gothenburg 0 @ Polk County 12Gothenburg 1 @ Kearney Catholic 13Scottsbluff 15 @ North Platte 3Scottsbluff 6 @ North Platte 14<h2>Volleyball</h2>Bertrand def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 25-22, 25-9 (2-0)Brady def. Bertrand, 25-20, 22-25, 30-28 (2-1)Brady def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 25-12, 25-14 (2-0)Chase County def. Sedgwick County (Julesburg/Revere), CO, 25-17, 25-17, 17-25, 25-23 (3-1)Cozad def. Arapahoe, 25-21, 25-13 (2-0)Gothenburg def. North Platte St. Patrick's, 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 (3-0)Lexington def. North Platte, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23 (3-1)Maywood-Hayes Center def. Hershey, 26-24, 25-15, 21-25, 25-17 (3-1)Mullen def. Wallace, 25-15, 25-16 (2-0)Overton def. Maxwell, 25-13, 25-11, 28-26 (3-0)Paxton def. South Platte, 25-15, 25-13 (2-0)Perkins County def. Paxton, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19 (2-1)Perkins County def. South Platte, 25-13, 22-25, 28-17 (2-1)Sandhills/Thedford def. Medicine Valley, 25-20, 25-10, 25-17 (3-0)Southwest def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-11, 25-15, 25-16 (3-0)Sutherland def. Mullen, 23-25, 25-22, 25-12 (2-1)Sutherland def. Wallace, 25-15, 25-16 (2-0)<h2>Girls Golf</h2>North Platte High School at Hastings inviteThird PlaceScores: Allie Jones 92 - 8th&nbsp;Presley Pettera 94 -PR 12thAmelia Wenburg 96 - 13th&nbsp;Janee Wagner 99 15th Neeva Fisher 108

Area High School scores from 9-17

Lincoln , Neb - Nebraska sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced.

Reilly earned her second award of the season and the sixth of her career.&nbsp;

The Sioux Falls, S.D., native led the Huskers to a 3-0 record and a pair of top-15 wins last week. Reilly averaged 12.18 assists per set, 3.45 digs per set, and led the Big Red to a .315 team hitting percentage. Reilly had a career-high 58 assists with 13 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 9 Creighton last Tuesday. She also had double-doubles of 41 assists and 15 digs against No. 14 Arizona State, and 35 assists and 10 digs against Wichita State.

For the season, Reilly is averaging 11.48 assists per set, which ranks third in the country. She also has seven double-doubles in nine matches. Last season, Reilly didn't record her seventh double-double until Oct. 27.&nbsp;

Lincoln , Neb - Nebraska sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726515409271.jpeg" alt="Nebraska sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced." />
 <figcaption>Nebraska sophomore setter Bergen Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced.</figcaption>
 </figure>Reilly earned her second award of the season and the sixth of her career.&nbsp;The Sioux Falls, S.D., native led the Huskers to a 3-0 record and a pair of top-15 wins last week. Reilly averaged 12.18 assists per set, 3.45 digs per set, and led the Big Red to a .315 team hitting percentage. Reilly had a career-high 58 assists with 13 digs in a 3-2 win against No. 9 Creighton last Tuesday. She also had double-doubles of 41 assists and 15 digs against No. 14 Arizona State, and 35 assists and 10 digs against Wichita State.For the season, Reilly is averaging 11.48 assists per set, which ranks third in the country. She also has seven double-doubles in nine matches. Last season, Reilly didn't record her seventh double-double until Oct. 27.&nbsp;

Reilly Earns Big Ten Setter of the Week

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The sixth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has now swept nine straight opponents after downing Oklahoma Christian (<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/oklahoma-christian/boxscore/7954">-14, -12, -10</a>) and Chadron State (<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/oklahoma-christian/boxscore/7955">-13, -16, -13</a>) Saturday at the Health &amp; 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&nbsp;Rick Squiers.&nbsp;"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&nbsp;Alli Wiese&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) have 10 kills in 18 swings (.556 pct.) with six others between three and seven kills. That included junior middle&nbsp;Abby Rose&nbsp;(Lindsborg, Kan.) and graduate setter&nbsp;Peyton Neff&nbsp;(North Platte). The Lopers trailed just once as they hit .293 with senior DS&nbsp;Addyson Mock&nbsp;(Stilwell, Kan.) serving up five aces and sophomore middle&nbsp;Mia Berg&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Brynn Stowell&nbsp;(Olathe, Kan.) and sophomore outside&nbsp;Carly Purdy&nbsp;(North Platte) with freshman DS&nbsp;Rhyan Mock&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;(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.

Mary 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-22, -21, -21)

Chadron 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-16, -18, -23)

Oklahoma Christian 3, Mary 0 (-19, -22, -17)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726495660003.jpeg" alt="Graduate student, North Platte native Peyton Neff (UNK Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Graduate student, North Platte native Peyton Neff (UNK Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>UNK AthleticsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The sixth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team has now swept nine straight opponents after downing Oklahoma Christian (<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/oklahoma-christian/boxscore/7954">-14, -12, -10</a>) and Chadron State (<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/oklahoma-christian/boxscore/7955">-13, -16, -13</a>) Saturday at the Health &amp; 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&nbsp;Rick Squiers.&nbsp;"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&nbsp;Alli Wiese&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) have 10 kills in 18 swings (.556 pct.) with six others between three and seven kills. That included junior middle&nbsp;Abby Rose&nbsp;(Lindsborg, Kan.) and graduate setter&nbsp;Peyton Neff&nbsp;(North Platte). The Lopers trailed just once as they hit .293 with senior DS&nbsp;Addyson Mock&nbsp;(Stilwell, Kan.) serving up five aces and sophomore middle&nbsp;Mia Berg&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Brynn Stowell&nbsp;(Olathe, Kan.) and sophomore outside&nbsp;Carly Purdy&nbsp;(North Platte) with freshman DS&nbsp;Rhyan Mock&nbsp;(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&nbsp;Trista Marx&nbsp;(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.Other Tourney ScoresMary 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-22, -21, -21)Chadron 3, Missouri Southern 0 (-16, -18, -23)Oklahoma Christian 3, Mary 0 (-19, -22, -17)&nbsp;&nbsp;

#6 Lopers Move to 9-0, Host Hastings Tuesday

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team scored four second half goals to down Minnesota State-Moorhead,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2024/minnesota-st-moorhead/boxscore/7910">5-0</a>, Sunday afternoon at Ron &amp; Carol Cope Stadium.

The Lopers (3-0-1) have another undefeated weekend and will be home again as they host Western Colorado (Sept. 20) and Black Hills State, S.D. (Sept. 22). WCU is currently 1-3-0 and BHSU 0-2-2.

The five goals are the most scored by a UNK team in a game since the program began in 2009. The 2010 Lopers beat Colorado-Colorado Springs by a 6-2 count, but the tally included two own goals by UCCS. UNK also scored four goals in four different games between 2012-15.

"We have players that are hungry and that was part of the recruiting process. We want players who want the ball and who want to go forward," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rob Breton. "Sometimes that means having to get to the endline, sometimes that means a cross, sometimes that means setting up opportunities. Other times it means being a bit of demander, give me this and I'm going to go do it."

Freshman&nbsp;Daniella Iaqunita&nbsp;(Aurora, Colo.) becomes the ninth different Loper to have two goals in a game when she found the back of the net at 57:33 and 61:27. The last player to have a two-goal effort was Ciera Clark in 2018 win at Missouri Southern.

"That second goal; my goodness what a turn and strike. For her, it's about building that confidence and believing in herself and she's now showing I can do it, I will go and do it," said Breton.&nbsp; 

Freshman&nbsp;Camrynn Nitta&nbsp;(Mililani, Hawai'i) literally beat the buzzer for the fifth goal as she scored with 21 seconds left. Sophomore&nbsp;Jordan Renard&nbsp;(Lincoln NE) got UNK on the board in the 26th minute when she turned and fired from about 20 yards out; it's her second goal of the fall. Next, redshirt sophomore&nbsp;Rachel Warrick&nbsp;(Lincoln SE) recorded her first collegiate goal at 66:41 to make it 4-0.

The Dragons (0-3-1) came out breathing fire as they had the upper hand for about 20 minutes. They had the first two shots and UNK made a couple of early substitutions to stem the tide. The Lopers then controlled the rest of the half and game.

"The first 25 minutes we were extremely flat. We allowed them to punch us in the face a few times and it was almost like we were surprised they were going to do something like that," said Breton. "I explained to the girls in the scouting report and the film session we did, this is a team that if you give them energy, they absorb it and utilize it. So, we got the water break, I was able to get under the skin of the players a little bit and you saw the reaction. Within three minutes we had the lead."

In goal, sophomore&nbsp;Susan Bovaird&nbsp;(Lincoln East) and senior&nbsp;Mackenzie Smith&nbsp;(Lincoln H.S.) combined on the team's third shutout of the fall. Bovaird had four saves and Smith one.

Finally, eight players got off at least one shot paced by Renard (five) and Utah freshman&nbsp;Billie Forrest&nbsp;(three).&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726495446793.jpeg" alt="Daniella Iaqunita (UNK Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Daniella Iaqunita (UNK Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>UNK AthleticsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team scored four second half goals to down Minnesota State-Moorhead,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2024/minnesota-st-moorhead/boxscore/7910">5-0</a>, Sunday afternoon at Ron &amp; Carol Cope Stadium.The Lopers (3-0-1) have another undefeated weekend and will be home again as they host Western Colorado (Sept. 20) and Black Hills State, S.D. (Sept. 22). WCU is currently 1-3-0 and BHSU 0-2-2.The five goals are the most scored by a UNK team in a game since the program began in 2009. The 2010 Lopers beat Colorado-Colorado Springs by a 6-2 count, but the tally included two own goals by UCCS. UNK also scored four goals in four different games between 2012-15."We have players that are hungry and that was part of the recruiting process. We want players who want the ball and who want to go forward," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rob Breton. "Sometimes that means having to get to the endline, sometimes that means a cross, sometimes that means setting up opportunities. Other times it means being a bit of demander, give me this and I'm going to go do it."Freshman&nbsp;Daniella Iaqunita&nbsp;(Aurora, Colo.) becomes the ninth different Loper to have two goals in a game when she found the back of the net at 57:33 and 61:27. The last player to have a two-goal effort was Ciera Clark in 2018 win at Missouri Southern."That second goal; my goodness what a turn and strike. For her, it's about building that confidence and believing in herself and she's now showing I can do it, I will go and do it," said Breton.&nbsp; Freshman&nbsp;Camrynn Nitta&nbsp;(Mililani, Hawai'i) literally beat the buzzer for the fifth goal as she scored with 21 seconds left. Sophomore&nbsp;Jordan Renard&nbsp;(Lincoln NE) got UNK on the board in the 26th minute when she turned and fired from about 20 yards out; it's her second goal of the fall. Next, redshirt sophomore&nbsp;Rachel Warrick&nbsp;(Lincoln SE) recorded her first collegiate goal at 66:41 to make it 4-0.The Dragons (0-3-1) came out breathing fire as they had the upper hand for about 20 minutes. They had the first two shots and UNK made a couple of early substitutions to stem the tide. The Lopers then controlled the rest of the half and game."The first 25 minutes we were extremely flat. We allowed them to punch us in the face a few times and it was almost like we were surprised they were going to do something like that," said Breton. "I explained to the girls in the scouting report and the film session we did, this is a team that if you give them energy, they absorb it and utilize it. So, we got the water break, I was able to get under the skin of the players a little bit and you saw the reaction. Within three minutes we had the lead."In goal, sophomore&nbsp;Susan Bovaird&nbsp;(Lincoln East) and senior&nbsp;Mackenzie Smith&nbsp;(Lincoln H.S.) combined on the team's third shutout of the fall. Bovaird had four saves and Smith one. Finally, eight players got off at least one shot paced by Renard (five) and Utah freshman&nbsp;Billie Forrest&nbsp;(three).&nbsp;

Lopers Erupt for Four Second Half Goals in Another Win

Deshler 56 vs Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer 18

Garden County 49 vs Medicine Valley 12

Maywood-Hayes Center 21 vs Maxwell 20

Norfolk Catholic 62 vs North Bend Central 13

Ashland-Greenwood 33 @ Scotus Central Catholic 14

Bridgeport 64 vs Sandhills Valley 52

Chase County 41 vs Gordon-Rushville 0

Creighton Preparatory School 24 vs Lincoln Southeast 0

Dundy County Stratton 44 @ Sutherland 0

East Butler 56 @ Omaha Christian Academy 14

Grand Island Central Catholic 37 @ Hershey 8

Guardian Angels Central Catholic 48 @ Mead 14

Hartington-Newcastle 82 vs Lutheran High Northeast 0

Howells-Dodge 64 vs Lyons-Decatur Northeast 26

Johnson County Central 48 vs Falls City Sacred Heart 14

Kearney Catholic 45 @ Hastings St. Cecilia 13

North Platte St. Pat's 68&nbsp; Kimball 14

Lincoln Lutheran 39 vs Doniphan-Trumbull 20

Millard North 31 @ Papillion-LaVista South 8

Papillion-LaVista 36 @ Lincoln Southwest 9

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694012200924.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Thursday, September 12, 2024</h2>Amherst 15 @ Centura 0Bellevue West 62 vs Bellevue East 0Deshler 56 vs Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer 18Elkhorn High 14 vs Gretna East 0Garden County 49 vs Medicine Valley 12Heartland Lutheran 42 vs Dorchester 28Lincoln East 28 vs Grand Island 20Lincoln Northeast 77 vs Omaha Benson 0Maywood-Hayes Center 21 vs Maxwell 20Millard South 52 vs Kearney 3Norfolk Catholic 62 vs North Bend Central 13Omaha North 28 vs Omaha Central 18Paxton 65 @ Minatare 0Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 52 @ Shelton 24Wallace 41 @ South Platte 14<h2>Friday, September 13, 2024</h2>Adams Central 10 vs Gothenburg 7Aquinas Catholic 21 @ Ponca 0Arapahoe 52 vs Arcadia-Loup City 7Archangels Catholic 50 @ Wynot 14Arthur County 40 @ Southwest 28Ashland-Greenwood 33 @ Scotus Central Catholic 14Auburn 22 @ Lincoln Christian 14BDS 56 @ Kenesaw 18Battle Creek 27 @ Boone Central 7Bertrand 66 @ Brady 18Bishop Neumann 40 @ West Point-Beemer 6Blair 55 vs Gretna 22Boyd County 48 vs St. Mary's 38Bridgeport 64 vs Sandhills Valley 52Broken Bow 36 @ St. Paul 23Cambridge 34 @ Axtell 20Cedar Catholic 34 vs Archbishop Bergan 6Central City 41 vs Minden 0Chadron 51 vs Mitchell 6Chase County 41 vs Gordon-Rushville 0Cody-Kilgore 78 @ Santee 31Columbus 59 @ Omaha South 13Cozad 47 vs Ogallala 6Creighton 66 vs Randolph 12Creighton Preparatory School 24 vs Lincoln Southeast 0Crofton 44 vs Plainview 34Cross County 26 vs Superior 6David City 48 vs Wisner-Pilger 42Douglas County West 28 vs Pierce 19Dundy County Stratton 44 @ Sutherland 0East Butler 56 @ Omaha Christian Academy 14Elgin Public/Pope John 56 vs CWC 14Elkhorn North 49 @ Ralston 7Elkhorn Valley 58 @ Humphrey-Lindsay 0Fillmore Central 37 @ Palmyra 14Fremont 49 vs Lincoln High 6Fullerton 74 vs Cedar Bluffs 8Grand Island Central Catholic 37 @ Hershey 8Guardian Angels Central Catholic 48 @ Mead 14Hampton 65 vs Harvard 0Hartington-Newcastle 82 vs Lutheran High Northeast 0Hay Springs 88 @ Potter-Dix 53Hemingford 70 @ Bayard 8Howells-Dodge 64 vs Lyons-Decatur Northeast 26Hyannis 52 vs Morrill 8Johnson County Central 48 vs Falls City Sacred Heart 14Johnson-Brock 60 @ Southern 6Kearney Catholic 45 @ Hastings St. Cecilia 13North Platte St. Pat's 68&nbsp; Kimball 14Lincoln Lutheran 39 vs Doniphan-Trumbull 20Louisville 21 @ Omaha Concordia 14McCool Junction 64 vs Freeman 46Meridian 62 vs Lewiston 12Milford 29 @ Wilber-Clatonia 6Millard North 31 @ Papillion-LaVista South 8Mullen 63 @ North Central 28Niobrara/Verdigre 80 @ Walthill 20North Platte 34 @ Norfolk 31Northwest 52 vs Lexington 14ONeill 20 vs Ord 14Oakland-Craig 49 @ Tekamah-Herman 0Omaha Buena Vista 24 @ Omaha Northwest 0Omaha Westside 34 @ Millard West 12Omaha Westview 49 vs Omaha Burke 0Overton 38 @ Elm Creek 28Palmer 26 @ Nebraska Christian 20Papillion-LaVista 36 @ Lincoln Southwest 9Pender 47 vs Clarkson/Leigh 8Perkins County 40 South Loup 12Platteview 28 vs Beatrice 14Pleasanton 20 @ Twin Loup 6Ravenna 54 @ Hi-Line 6Raymond Central 41 vs Arlington 8Red Cloud 56 @ Diller-Odell 12Riverside 42 @ High Plains Community 16Sandhills/Thedford 56 @ Burwell 8Sandy Creek 71 @ Alma 14Seward 35 vs Lincoln Pius X 0Sidney 42 vs Holdrege 0South Sioux City 50 vs Omaha Bryan 7Stanton 40 @ Central Valley 28Stuart 39 @ Silver Lake 8Summerland 52 vs Madison 0Sutton 81 vs Southern Valley 6TCNE (Tri County Northeast) 36 @ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 16Tri County 28 @ Centennial 22Twin River 56 @ Heartland 30Valentine 22 @ Gibbon 6Weeping Water 56 @ Nebraska Lutheran 6West Holt 40 vs Ainsworth 38Winside 54 vs NG/SE 0Wood River 47 @ Fairbury 15York 36 vs Lincoln Standing Bear 0

Prep Football Scores: Sept 12 & 13

Hastings, Neb. – The North Platte Community College volleyball team was defeated in straight sets by Hastings College JV on Thursday evening.

Nya Lual led the way with eight kills, while Ella Rotherham and Kathryn Folkers tallied three kills apiece. Rotherham and Trinity Beutler each added three service aces in the match.

North Platte fell behind early as ten straight points helped the Broncos garner the momentum in the opening set. Back-to-back service aces from Jaelyn Dicke helped cut the margin to seven midway through the set. Hastings settled back into rhythm to take the opening frame, 25-13. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Knights countered early in the second set, as a kill by Jocelyn Cheek helped North Platte take a 10-7 lead. A short rally evened the set at 14-14, before the Broncos took control of the set. Knights attempted to steal back the momentum, but Hastings never faltered down the stretch to take a two-set advantage.

Hastings continued to flex their strength, jumping out to a 7-4 lead. A 4-0 rally sparked the Knights offense as a kill by Folkers helped shift the momentum. Slowly the Broncos chipped away at the margin until they knotted it up at 14-14. The run continued late to aid in the Broncos sweep.

North Platte (3-11) will play a set of games on Friday beginning with Southwestern University JV. First serve is set for noon inside Nellis Hall in Coffeyville, Kan.

NPCC AthleticsHastings, Neb. – The North Platte Community College volleyball team was defeated in straight sets by Hastings College JV on Thursday evening.Nya Lual led the way with eight kills, while Ella Rotherham and Kathryn Folkers tallied three kills apiece. Rotherham and Trinity Beutler each added three service aces in the match.North Platte fell behind early as ten straight points helped the Broncos garner the momentum in the opening set. Back-to-back service aces from Jaelyn Dicke helped cut the margin to seven midway through the set. Hastings settled back into rhythm to take the opening frame, 25-13. &nbsp;&nbsp;Knights countered early in the second set, as a kill by Jocelyn Cheek helped North Platte take a 10-7 lead. A short rally evened the set at 14-14, before the Broncos took control of the set. Knights attempted to steal back the momentum, but Hastings never faltered down the stretch to take a two-set advantage.Hastings continued to flex their strength, jumping out to a 7-4 lead. A 4-0 rally sparked the Knights offense as a kill by Folkers helped shift the momentum. Slowly the Broncos chipped away at the margin until they knotted it up at 14-14. The run continued late to aid in the Broncos sweep.North Platte (3-11) will play a set of games on Friday beginning with Southwestern University JV. First serve is set for noon inside Nellis Hall in Coffeyville, Kan.

Broncos down Knights to open weekend road trip

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

Nebraska (3-3-0) opens conference play on Thursday, Sept. 12 as it travels to Iowa to face the #17 Hawkeyes (4-0-2). The 18th meeting between the two teams is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;

The Huskers continue their road-match streak, facing Michigan State on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. (CT) and Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. (CT). Action against the Spartans will air on BTN, while the match against the Wolverines will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;Nebraska (3-3-0) opens conference play on Thursday, Sept. 12 as it travels to Iowa to face the #17 Hawkeyes (4-0-2). The 18th meeting between the two teams is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;Next UpThe Huskers continue their road-match streak, facing Michigan State on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. (CT) and Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. (CT). Action against the Spartans will air on BTN, while the match against the Wolverines will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;&nbsp;Numbers to Watch<ul>
 <li>Sarah Weber, a 2024 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, recorded her second career hat trick against Creighton. It’s the 36th hat trick in school history and second of the 2024 season for Weber.&nbsp;</li><li>Weber is also fourth in school history with 280 total shots, sitting just behind Morgan Marlborough (287) in third, and ninth in shots on goal with 114, nine behind Brittany Timko in eighth. Additionally, Weber currently leads the country in shots per game, as she is averaging 5.83 and 11th in total goals with six.&nbsp;</li><li>Florence Belzile is currently ninth all-time in Husker history with 25 career assists, just two shy of Lindsay Eddleman in eighth. Jordan Zade, the team’s assists leader, has four on the season and is 30th nationally in assists per game.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Quick Notes<ul>
 <li>The Huskers have 10 regular-season home games scheduled for their 10th season at Hibner Stadium in 2024.&nbsp;</li><li>NU returns three of four All-Big Ten performers from last season, seniors Weber, Haley Peterson and Zade. Nebraska’s all-time all-conference total increased to 110, including 38 honorees since joining the Big Ten in 2011.</li><li>During the 2023 season, the Huskers averaged 1,326 fans per game at Hibner Stadium, third most in Husker history and 15th in the nation. To start the 2024 season, NU has averaged 6,417 fans, good for sixth in the country. This season’s match against Creighton garnered 2,382 fans, second-most all-time at Hibner Stadium.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Scouting Iowa&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Last season’s Big Ten Tournament Champions, Iowa finished the 2023 season with a 13-5-4 record overall and 3-4-3 mark in conference play. The Hawkeyes qualified for the NCAA Tournament and defeated Bucknell in the opening round before falling to Georgia in the second round.&nbsp;</li><li>The Hawkeyes are undefeated on the season and have secured four shutouts, with quality wins over Wake Forest and Baylor. After hosting Nebraska on Thursday, Iowa will meet Iowa State in Ames.&nbsp;</li><li>Head Coach Dave Dilanni is in his 11th season at the helm of the Iowa soccer program. He’s the fifth coach in program history, coming to Iowa following an 11-year head coaching stint at Grand Valley State. Dilanni has amassed a 323-92-42 career mark and 102-74-24 record at Iowa.&nbsp;</li><li>Nebraska leads the all-time series 12-4-1 between the two teams. The Huskers topped the Hawkeyes last season at home, 4-2.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Huskers travel to #17 Iowa to open Big Ten play 

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The now sixth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team got 13 kills from sophomore outside&nbsp;Carly Purdy&nbsp;and 19 players took to the court in a sweep of Peru State (-<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/peru-state/boxscore/7951">10, -13, -18</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.

This was the home opener for the Lopers who host the annual Rosella Meier Fall Classic this weekend. The opponents will be Chadron State, Missouri Southern, Mary (N.D.) and Oklahoma Christian.

"I was more concerned about how some of our young kids would play. Some of them haven't played yet. We had not been able to get (freshman DS)&nbsp;Rhyan Mock&nbsp;on the court yet. She played well and that's good to see because I think we'll need her to be able to contribute," said Loper head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers. "We also need Carly to continue to play .. she's doing some nice things."

UNK was hitting over .400 heading into the third set and got kills from 11 different players. Purdy (North Platte) had the hottest hand, reaching her match-high total in 23 swings (.478 pct.). Next, junior outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) had eight kills and hit .333 with senior outside&nbsp;Asha Reiger&nbsp;(Newton, Kan.) at five kills in just eight attempts (.625 pct.).

"We certainly had some sloppy stretches and that's not what we were looking for. Some of our young kids looked like they were so that's why you play a match or two like this. Get that out of their system before we need them in a MIAA match," said Squiers. "It calms the nerves that, when we need to, we can set a ball outside and we have options that can get us a kill." &nbsp;

Defensively, fourteen different Lopers dug a ball with five having a block. From the service line, redshirt sophomore DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) had three of UNK's nine aces. She's now up to 13 aces in 14 sets played to date.

"Very happy for Lexi. She has gone from playing a lot her freshman year (2022) to taking a redshirt because it didn't look like she was going to be in the rotation. And, quite honestly, it didn't look like she was going to be in the rotation this year until maybe two days before we left last week," said Squiers. "She practiced her way in there, got a shot and took advantage of it playing well and serving tough."

Peru State was paced by Raevyn Russell (six kills, four digs, one block). They also emptied the bench, sending 16 different players to the court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726065750340.jpeg" alt="UNK Vs. Peru (UNK Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>UNK Vs. Peru (UNK Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Peter Yazvac&nbsp;UNK AthleticsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The now sixth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team got 13 kills from sophomore outside&nbsp;Carly Purdy&nbsp;and 19 players took to the court in a sweep of Peru State (-<a target="_blank" href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024/peru-state/boxscore/7951">10, -13, -18</a>) Tuesday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.This was the home opener for the Lopers who host the annual Rosella Meier Fall Classic this weekend. The opponents will be Chadron State, Missouri Southern, Mary (N.D.) and Oklahoma Christian."I was more concerned about how some of our young kids would play. Some of them haven't played yet. We had not been able to get (freshman DS)&nbsp;Rhyan Mock&nbsp;on the court yet. She played well and that's good to see because I think we'll need her to be able to contribute," said Loper head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers. "We also need Carly to continue to play .. she's doing some nice things."UNK was hitting over .400 heading into the third set and got kills from 11 different players. Purdy (North Platte) had the hottest hand, reaching her match-high total in 23 swings (.478 pct.). Next, junior outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) had eight kills and hit .333 with senior outside&nbsp;Asha Reiger&nbsp;(Newton, Kan.) at five kills in just eight attempts (.625 pct.)."We certainly had some sloppy stretches and that's not what we were looking for. Some of our young kids looked like they were so that's why you play a match or two like this. Get that out of their system before we need them in a MIAA match," said Squiers. "It calms the nerves that, when we need to, we can set a ball outside and we have options that can get us a kill." &nbsp;Defensively, fourteen different Lopers dug a ball with five having a block. From the service line, redshirt sophomore DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) had three of UNK's nine aces. She's now up to 13 aces in 14 sets played to date."Very happy for Lexi. She has gone from playing a lot her freshman year (2022) to taking a redshirt because it didn't look like she was going to be in the rotation. And, quite honestly, it didn't look like she was going to be in the rotation this year until maybe two days before we left last week," said Squiers. "She practiced her way in there, got a shot and took advantage of it playing well and serving tough."Peru State was paced by Raevyn Russell (six kills, four digs, one block). They also emptied the bench, sending 16 different players to the court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

UNK Volleyball: #6 Lopers Sweep the Bobcats

LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team won a 3-2 thriller against No. 9 Creighton on Tuesday night, 25-19, 25-16, 31-33, 16-25, 15-10, in front of a crowd of 8,924 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp;

Nebraska improved to 6-1 on the season while Creighton suffered its first loss to fall to 5-1.&nbsp;

The Huskers were balanced offensively with Harper Murray (16 kills), Andi Jackson (15 kills), Lindsay Krause (15 kills) and Merritt Beason (14 kills) leading the way. Murray had a double-double with her 16 kills and 14 digs, and Jackson had career highs in both kills (15) and blocks (8) while hitting .379. Krause added five blocks, and Beason hit .306. Rebekah Allick chipped in nine kills and hit .333.&nbsp;

Bergen Reilly had a career-high 57 assists to go with 13 digs, three blocks and three kills. Lexi Rodriguez put up a season-best 21 digs. Laney Choboy added 12, and Olivia Mauch had seven.&nbsp;

Nebraska had a .234 hitting percentage in the match, and Creighton hit .209.&nbsp;

Norah Sis had 24 kills and 11 digs for Creighton. Ava Martin totaled 17 kills and 17 digs.&nbsp;

Set 1: A 4-0 run put the Huskers up 8-4. Jackson had two kills and a block with Murray, who also had a kill. After Creighton got a sideout kill, Reilly dumped a kill to the floor, Jackson and Krause combined for a block, and Murray served an ace to make it 11-5 Huskers. Kills by Krause and Murray made it 13-6 NU, but Creighton scored three in a row to cut it to 13-9. A kill by Beason preceded a kill by Murray on the longest rally of the set, and NU led 17-10. Two more kills by Jackson and Murray and a block by Jackson and Krause made it 21-13 Big Red. The Bluejays pulled within 22-17, but Krause connected for a kill and Creighton hit out for set point. The Huskers won 25-19, hitting .250 and holding Creighton to .100.&nbsp;

Set 2: Creighton held a 5-3 lead when kills by Murray and Jackson tied the score. Three blocks in a row by the Big Red made it 9-7 with Reilly and Allick contributing on two of them. Allick added a kill as the Huskers pushed their advantage to 12-8. Allick and Jackson struck three straight kills, and Jackson and Murray posted a block as the Huskers went up 18-11. Creighton went on a 4-1 spurt to pull within 19-15, but Jackson posted a sideout kill and Krause tacked on another as the Huskers built the lead to 23-15 after the 4-0 run. Allick put the set away, 25-16, with her sixth kill. NU hit .333 and held the Jays to .032.&nbsp;

Set 3: Nebraska's first lead of the set came at 11-10 after Murray rolled a shot to the floor, and Krause followed with an ace. After Creighton regained the lead, Jackson, Murray and Krause posted four straight kills, and Krause and Allick combined for a block and a 20-16 lead. Nebraska led 23-21, but Sis produced back-to-back kills, and Martin added one for set point for Creighton, 24-23. Murray came up big with her ninth kill to tie the score 24-24, but Martin rolled a kill to the floor for another set point. An incredible defensive effort to keep a ball alive at the net led to another kill by Murray, and on the next rally Murray tipped a kill for match point, 26-25. Creighton turned to Martin again for a kill and a 26-26 tie, but Reilly set Krause for a 27-26 match point. A Creighton block made it 27-27, and the Huskers mishandled a Creighton serve to put the Jays back on top, 28-27. Krause stepped up once again for the Big Red with her 11th kill to tie it 28-28, and Creighton touched the net to make it 29-28 Huskers. Then Sis tied the score at 29-29 with her 16th kill, but a back-row kill from Murray earned match point No. 4 for the Big Red. The Bluejays then posted a block and got a kill from Sis to make it 31-30, but Allick answered with a kill to tie it 31-31. However, Sis and Martin recorded back-to-back kills to give Creighton the 33-31 win.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsLINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team won a 3-2 thriller against No. 9 Creighton on Tuesday night, 25-19, 25-16, 31-33, 16-25, 15-10, in front of a crowd of 8,924 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp;Nebraska improved to 6-1 on the season while Creighton suffered its first loss to fall to 5-1.&nbsp;The Huskers were balanced offensively with Harper Murray (16 kills), Andi Jackson (15 kills), Lindsay Krause (15 kills) and Merritt Beason (14 kills) leading the way. Murray had a double-double with her 16 kills and 14 digs, and Jackson had career highs in both kills (15) and blocks (8) while hitting .379. Krause added five blocks, and Beason hit .306. Rebekah Allick chipped in nine kills and hit .333.&nbsp;Bergen Reilly had a career-high 57 assists to go with 13 digs, three blocks and three kills. Lexi Rodriguez put up a season-best 21 digs. Laney Choboy added 12, and Olivia Mauch had seven.&nbsp;Nebraska had a .234 hitting percentage in the match, and Creighton hit .209.&nbsp;Norah Sis had 24 kills and 11 digs for Creighton. Ava Martin totaled 17 kills and 17 digs.&nbsp;Set 1: A 4-0 run put the Huskers up 8-4. Jackson had two kills and a block with Murray, who also had a kill. After Creighton got a sideout kill, Reilly dumped a kill to the floor, Jackson and Krause combined for a block, and Murray served an ace to make it 11-5 Huskers. Kills by Krause and Murray made it 13-6 NU, but Creighton scored three in a row to cut it to 13-9. A kill by Beason preceded a kill by Murray on the longest rally of the set, and NU led 17-10. Two more kills by Jackson and Murray and a block by Jackson and Krause made it 21-13 Big Red. The Bluejays pulled within 22-17, but Krause connected for a kill and Creighton hit out for set point. The Huskers won 25-19, hitting .250 and holding Creighton to .100.&nbsp;Set 2: Creighton held a 5-3 lead when kills by Murray and Jackson tied the score. Three blocks in a row by the Big Red made it 9-7 with Reilly and Allick contributing on two of them. Allick added a kill as the Huskers pushed their advantage to 12-8. Allick and Jackson struck three straight kills, and Jackson and Murray posted a block as the Huskers went up 18-11. Creighton went on a 4-1 spurt to pull within 19-15, but Jackson posted a sideout kill and Krause tacked on another as the Huskers built the lead to 23-15 after the 4-0 run. Allick put the set away, 25-16, with her sixth kill. NU hit .333 and held the Jays to .032.&nbsp;Set 3: Nebraska's first lead of the set came at 11-10 after Murray rolled a shot to the floor, and Krause followed with an ace. After Creighton regained the lead, Jackson, Murray and Krause posted four straight kills, and Krause and Allick combined for a block and a 20-16 lead. Nebraska led 23-21, but Sis produced back-to-back kills, and Martin added one for set point for Creighton, 24-23. Murray came up big with her ninth kill to tie the score 24-24, but Martin rolled a kill to the floor for another set point. An incredible defensive effort to keep a ball alive at the net led to another kill by Murray, and on the next rally Murray tipped a kill for match point, 26-25. Creighton turned to Martin again for a kill and a 26-26 tie, but Reilly set Krause for a 27-26 match point. A Creighton block made it 27-27, and the Huskers mishandled a Creighton serve to put the Jays back on top, 28-27. Krause stepped up once again for the Big Red with her 11th kill to tie it 28-28, and Creighton touched the net to make it 29-28 Huskers. Then Sis tied the score at 29-29 with her 16th kill, but a back-row kill from Murray earned match point No. 4 for the Big Red. The Bluejays then posted a block and got a kill from Sis to make it 31-30, but Allick answered with a kill to tie it 31-31. However, Sis and Martin recorded back-to-back kills to give Creighton the 33-31 win.&nbsp;Set 4: Creighton bolted to a 7-3 advantage as Nebraska called timeout. Creighton led 10-5 before kills by Jackson and Murray helped get NU within 11-8. But the Jays answered with a 5-0 run to go up 16-8. Creighton won the set, 25-16, to force a set five for the third time in the history of the series. Creighton hit .306 in the set and held NU to -.024. &nbsp;Set 5: With Reilly serving to open the set, Krause terminated a kill before Allick hammered down an overpass, and another kill by Krause made it 3-0 Huskers. A Creighton service error and a kill by Beason put NU ahead 5-1. Allick, Jackson and Reilly tallied kills to take NU to an 8-4 lead as the teams changed sides. Reilly and Murray added kills for a 10-5 lead before Creighton scored two in a row to cut it to 10-7. But Krause's 15th kill made it 11-7. A kill by Beason kept NU in front, 13-9, and Jackson terminated her 15th kill for match point, 14-9. Murray's 16th kill ended the five-set thriller, 15-10.&nbsp;Up Next: NU hosts the Nebraska Classic this weekend at the Devaney Center. The Huskers will play No. 14 Arizona State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Wichita State on Saturday at 2 p.m.&nbsp;