Kearney, Neb. – Graduate outside hitter Carly Purdy had a team-high 11 kills and sixth-ranked Nebraska Kearney trailed just once in a sweep of Fort Hays State (-15, -13, -13) Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
As part of the new MIAA scheduling model, this was a non-conference match between the Lopers (25-2) and Tigers (16-12). This was the 43rd straight win for the Lopers over the Tigers.
UNK held Hays to a -.108 (24-26-113) hitting percentage thanks to 8.0 team blocks and 51 digs. The Tigers didn’t help themselves by having 16 unforced attack errors and six service miscues.
“Somebody kidded me early this week that the Friday Fort Hays State is not the one you want to play. All their big wins and five-set battles with teams at the top have all come on a Friday. So, I was sweating bullets coming into this one,” said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. “Fortunately, we were able to get some offense going early.”
Purdy (North Platte) reached her kill total in 21 swings (.381) with six others between three and seven. That included junior middle Cecila Spilker (Cortland) and sophomore outside Addison Budke (Beloit, Kan.). Spilker added a team-high five blocks, three of the solo variety. She’s been tabbed to replace the recently banged up Sophia Thompson (Beloit, Kan.).
“It was so great for Cecila to have the Tuesday match (3-0 sweep vs. Doane). Anytime you have a starter out, you’re just worried about new people in the lineup; can they play together especially this late in the year,” said Squiers. “She’s worked hard all year, has good experience and has had some early success in both matches this week. She got almost the exact number we would’ve hoped for from Sophia.”
Finally, outside Grace Schmedding (Olathe, Kan.) and freshman Taryn Arbuthnot (Sumner) combined for 27 digs with Arbuthnot having two of UNK’s three aces.
The Lopers close out the regular season next weekend at home vs. Missouri Southern and Central Missouri.
