Story by UNK Athletic Communications
The 10th-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team moved to 9-0 on the season after sweeping both St. Martin’s, Wash. (-16, -16, -15) and Colorado-Colorado Springs (-22, -17, -17) Saturday in the Springs.
These matches were a part of the UCCS Classic with UNK sweeping Western Colorado and Western Oregon. Their road swing continues this week with MIAA battles vs. No. 17 Washburn (6-1) and Emporia State (6-2).
To beat the Saints (5-3) for a second time this fall, UNK hit .417, tallied 10 team blocks and served up nine aces. Alliance senior outside Emersen Cyza (12 kills, .346 pct.) and Lincoln right side Jaden Ferguson (10 kills, .450 pct.) paced the offense with Kansas junior outside Asha Regier having six kills and no errors in 14 swings (.400). Next, Missouri freshman middle Mia Berg and North Platte sophomore setter Peyton Neff both had six block assists with Kansas sophomore middle Abby Rose supplying four stuffs (one solo). Finally, four different Lopers served up two aces including Ferguson and Cyza.
Against former RMAC rival and tourney host UCCS (2-6), UNK hit .323, had eight blocks and was plus three in the serve game. Regier (13 kills, .478 pct.) and Ferguson (10 kills, .400 pct.) combined for 23 of the Lopers 41 kills with Neff at 34 assists, eight digs, two kills and two blocks. At libero, Lincoln junior Lauren Taubenheim had 13 digs an ace and was successful in 13 of 15 serve receive chances. UCCS had seven blocks and six aces with the match featuring 25 ties and nine lead changes.
Cyza (3.08 kps) and Ferguson (3.17 kps, 2.67 dps, 1.00 bps & .462 pct.) represented UNK on the all-tournament team.