Via UNK Athletics:

Kearney, Neb. – The now 2nd-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team hit .345 and had had three players reach double digits in kills to sweep rival Fort Hays State (-19, -11, -20) Tuesday at Buckle Court.

The Lopers (18-0, 5-0) return to the road this weekend while the Tigers (13-4, 2-3) are in the middle of a five-match road swing.

"They can compete with most people, and they have a lot of firepower and when there able to use it, they are hard to stop," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "We're both coming off a tough road trip, but we had the benefit of being at home tonight. Once we got the upper hand early, it probably plays with your psyche a little bit."

UNK trailed only briefly in the first and third sets as it out hit Hays by nearly 200 points and dug 11 more balls. Kansas sophomore right side Brynn Stowell continues a recent hot stretch by having 13 kills and hitting .345 with Kansas senior outside Emilee Lane also at 13 kills and coming in at an efficiency .407. She once again was tough on her hometown squad.

"We kind of blew it open in the second and outside of lapse in the third, generally our offense was clicking and they really didn't have an answer how to stop us," said Squiers.

Also on offense, North Platte grad outside Carly Purdy had 11 kills and was 8 for 9 in serve receive with Indiana junior libero Ellie Spang (14) and North Platte grad setter Peyton Neff (10) combining for 25 digs. Neff is now at 995 career digs; she'll be the 36th Loper in the 1k club.

Finally for the Lopers, Spang (11 for 11), Imperial junior outside Bryn McNair (9 for 9) and Kansas senior Aleena Peterson (15 for 15) were strong in serve receive.

"Our ball control tonight was as good as it's been in three or four matches. We're using Bryn back there a little bit now and she's handling herself well. Haedyn Hoos is getting more playing time and she's good in serve receive," said Squiers. "When we were touching balls at the net and playing good defense behind, then they really didn't know what to do."

The Tigers were led by Ashleyn Reeves and Gracie Rains who had seven kills apiece.

UNK faces Emporia State (13-3, 4-1) and No. 9 Washburn (15-1, 4-1) this weekend.