Kearney, Neb. – The 5th-ranked Nebraska Kearney volleyball team used nine service aces and a balanced offense to get past Missouri Southern in four sets (-19, -15, 15-25, -21) Saturday night in Joplin.
The Lopers move to 19-2 (9-2) while the Lions, who beat Washburn last week, fall to 8-11 (3-7).
UNK got 11 kills from both outside CeCeBeahm (Hastings St. Cecilia) and middle Bailee Sterling (Kearney) as well as three aces from right side Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius X). The Lopers hit .379 (13-2-29) to take set two while managing double digit kill totals in each set.
MSSU had 17 kills and hit .304 to take the third set and had things tied at 17 in the fourth. However, UNK went on a 6-2 run that included an ace from setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) and two unforced attack errors. The Lopers closed things via kills from Beahm and Sterling.
Seven players had a kill with Beahm hitting .273 and Sterling .231. At the net, UNK had a season-best 13 blocks as Sterling and fellow middle Fallon Stutheit (Johnson) had six apiece. Finally, libero Jensen Rowse (Minden) had 16 digs to lead the back row.
MSSU had three reach double digit in kills led by Irina Alekseeva (14) and JarynBenning (13).
The Blue & Gold hosts Emporia State on Tuesday before another weekend road trip.
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