PITTSBURG, Kan.—The No. 3 team in the nation according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), University of Nebraska-Kerney swept the Pittsburg State University Gorillas 26-24, 25-16 and 25-10.

With the win the Lopers improve to 19-0 on the season and 10-0 in the MIAA while Pitt State falls to 9-10 overall and 4-6 in the MIAA.

In the first set, the Gorillas kept pace with the Lopers early as they led by one or two points regularly until UNK took their first three-point lead at 14-11. A key challenge by Head Coach Jen Gomez allowed them to go on a 3-0 run to tie the set at 14. The Lopers were able to keep their composure and survive some hard attacks by Claire Sandvig to jump out to a 19-15 lead. The Lopers pushed the match to set point but PSU rallied back and forced UNK to take a timeout with the score 24-22. Pitt State, behind the stellar serving of Brianna Richard tied the set at 24, however, a side out and a quick attack allowed the Lopers to win 26-24.

The second and third set saw UNK lead from wire to wire despite some midgame streaks by the Gorillas. In the third set the Gorillas found themselves down 8-3 however, they rallied back and pulled within one as Marissa Bates had two straight aces to make the score 12-11. They would tie the set several times and as late as 17.

The Gorillas were led by Erika Ivkov and Meg Auten who had 11 and 10 kills, respectively while Brianna Richards and Laura Willoughby were in double digits on assists.

TThe Gorillas stay inside John Lance Arena on Saturday for a tilt with the Fort Hays State Tigers and then stay put for a Tuesday match up with the University of Central Oklahoma at 6 p.m.
They will than return to the road next Friday and Saturday for tilts with Central Missouri (Friday) and Northwest Missouri (Saturday).