UNK Volleyball: #8 Lopes Sweep Hardrockers

Kearney, Neb. – Junior outside Carly Purdy and sophomore right side Brynn Stowell combined for 26 kills and eight blocks to help eighth-ranked Nebraska Kearney sweep a game South Dakota Mines (-19, -21, -14).

The Lopers (9-0) once again win the annual Rosella Meier Fall Classic and close a six-match homestand Tuesday night against York University.

UNK hard to work hard against a winless Hardrockers squad who managed 33 kills, 52 digs and five blocks. The match featured 19 ties and nine lead changes with the Lopers hitting below .300 for the first time this year (.280). ​

"Happy to get four wins and win the tournament. We knew it was going to be a stronger field than usual and some of that was by design," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "We sought out some more challenging opponents and everyone who came in here pushed us a little bit. South Dakota Mines, who was coming off a good year, I think when they get up and running, they'll be a handful in the RMAC."

Purdy (North Platte) had 15 kills and hit .316 with five blocks with Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) at 11 kills, a .435 efficiency and three stuffs. Off the bench, redshirt sophomore middle Sydney Davis (Dannebrog) came up big to the tone of seven kills, four blocks and a .500 attack percentage.

"This weekend, we had to play well and come from behind. Once of the nice things is that you're at home going through that process," said Squiers. "So, you have a little more wiggle room than you'll have on the road. We also used our depth this weekend."

Late in the second set, the Lopers trailed 19-18 but used a Davis/Stowell block and then a Davis kill to grab the lead for good. Two more blocks and a Purdy kill closed out the Hardrockers who had a service error to close things out.

Finally for the Lopers, graduate setter Peyton Neff (North Platte) had 35 assists, 13 digs and two kills with junior libero Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) at 14 digs. Mines was paced by Lexi Glendenning (10 kills, six digs, two blocks) and libero Hannah Benes (18 digs).  

"We had some questions in the backrow, with four new players, but they are starting to jell. That's been fun to watch," said Squiers. "We know we've got a whole bunch of challenges ahead and it looks like the MIAA will be tough and rugged as ever."

Other Tourney Scores
Missouri-St. Louis 3, Adams State 0 
Missouri-St. Louis 3, Sioux Falls 1 
Adams State 3, South Dakota Mines 1