#5 Lopers Sweep Former Rival UCM

 Junior right side Brynn Stowell had 18 kills, senior libero Ellie Spang had 25 digs and junior outside Grace Schmedding served up four aces to help fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney sweep Central Missouri (-17, -22, -21) Friday night in Maryville.
The match was “non-conference” as part of the new MIAA scheduling module. UNK (21-1) faces 18th-ranked Emporia State tomorrow as another part of this three-match schedule.
Stowell (Olathe, Kan.) reached her kill total in only 30 swings (.567) as the match featured 15 ties and eight scoring changes.  Winning a 21st consecutive match, the Lopers were in control throughout as they held leads of 17-11 (set one and two two) and 23-20 (set three). The Blue & Gold out hit UCM (13-9, 5-2) by 105 points and they served up seven aces.
Besides Stowell’s heroics, graduate outside Carly Purdy (North Platte) had 10 kills and Schmedding (Olathe, Kan.) was at 15 digs, seven kills, four aces and two block assists. Finally, Spang (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) had an ace and two assists to her defensive effort with freshman setter Ellie Eckman (Lincoln SW) at 24 assists and five digs.  
UCM was led by Maya Fergerson (11 kills, two digs, .296 pct.)
The Lopers face E-State Saturday at 3 p.m. The Hornets swept Northwest Missouri in the late Friday match.