Kearney, Neb. – Graduate outside hitter Carly Purdy has a career-high 23 kills to help fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney down Northwest Missouri State in four sets (25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17) Friday night in Maryville.
The Lopers (18-1, 7-0) are now ready to battle seventh-ranked Missouri Western (16-1, 6-0) Saturday at 1 p.m. The Griffons slipped past Fort Hays State tonight in five sets; it was all tied at 13 before Mo West closed things out.
UNK also had a battle against a Bearcat squad (6-10, 3-3) that typically plays the Lopers tougher in Maryville. Junior outside Abby Bulthuis (19 kills, nine digs), senior outside Sophia Gartner (17 kills, .429 pct.) and senior right side/middle Gabrielle Gartner (11 kills, three blocks) had big efforts as the 'Cats ended UNK's 52 set win streak. However, the Lopers hit .429 (15-3-28) in set three to take control.
Purdy (North Platte) had the hot hand all night and reached her kill total in 54 swings (.352 pct.). Her previous high of 21 kills came last November against Fort Hays in the MIAA Tournament. UNK hit .311 overall with junior right side Brynn Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) at 15 kills and a match-best .520 and junior middle Sydney Davis (Dannebrog) having a big fourth set to be at nine kills and a .304 efficiency.
Defensively, libero Ellie Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) dug up 22 balls with outside Grace Schmedding (Olathe, Kan.) at 16 as well as 11 kills. Finally, freshman setter Ellie Eckman (Lincoln SW) had four of UNK's nine aces, five digs and 27 assists.
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