Story by UNK Athletic Communication
Keanrey, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team got 28 combined kills from outsides Emilee Lane and Carly Purdy to sweep Truman State (-15, -20, -17) Thursday night in Kirksville, Mo.
This was the first of three matches in three days for UNK (10-0) as they travel to Illinois-Springfield Friday night and face Maryville (Mo.) Saturday morning at UIS.
The TSU Bulldogs (2-7) are glad they are a former MIAA member as they were previously swept by Emporia, Washburn, Missouri Western and Pitt State while owning a four-set win over Newman.
Lane (Hays, Kan.) and Purdy (North Platte) continued their torrid start to the season as they reached their combined kill total in 55 swings (.382 pct.). Purdy went for 16 kills and added two digs and two solo blocks with Lane having three digs. Next, sophomore right side Brynn Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) hit .348 and reached 11 kills for a second straight match with All-American setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) helping UNK hit .286 and seeing seven teammates record a kill. She finished with 42 assists, seven digs, two kills and an ace.
Defensively, senior DS Aleena Peterson (Kansas City, Mo.) had the second most digs of her Loper career (12) with junior Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) at nine, two assists and a rare kill. Finally, Truman was led by senior middle Makayla Way (10 kills, .588 pct., three blocks and two digs).
UNK and the UIS Prairie Stars have met just once before, a Loper sweep in 2015 at Buckle court.