Box Score

KEARNEY, Neb. - The No. 21 Metro State volleyball team fell to No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney, 25-23, 25-13, 25-18 on Sunday in Kearney.  The Roadrunners fell to 17-7 overall and 10-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while UNK improved to 25-1 and 15-0 in the RMAC.  The loss snapped a four-match winning streak for the Roadrunners.

It was also the sixth straight loss for Metro State to the Lopers and the 10th straight loss in Kearney, dating back to 2003.

The Roadrunners played a steady match defensively, holding the RMAC's top offense to a modest .242 (44-15-120) hitting percentage.  But Metro State was held to just a .034 (30-26-117) hitting percentage, only the second time it has been held under .100 this season.  UNK had 11 team blocks, the second-most this season for at Metro State opponent.  Colorado Mines had 11.5 in a five-set match earlier this year.

Lisa Jones (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East H.S.) and Bri Morley (Parker, Colo./Cherokee Trail H.S.) led the Roadrunners with eight kills each.  The last time Metro State failed to have a player reach 10+ kills in a match was a season-opening sweep over Millersville (Pa.).  Morley snapped a personal 13-match streak of double digit kills.

Gabe Curtis (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) had 27 assists and 10 digs for the Roadrunners.  Amy Watanabe (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.) led with 16 digs.

Metro State fought off three set points in the first set after trailing 24-20, with a kill by Jones, followed by an ace from her, and a solo block by Emily Greenhalgh (Conifer, Colo./Conifer H.S.).  But Chelsie Carson finished the set after 24-23 with a kill.

The Lopers had a pair of six-point runs in the second set, while holding the Roadrunners to a -.029 (7-9-43) hitting percentage.

UNk opened the third set with a 5-1 lead and went on another 6-1 run to finish the match.  Metro State hit -.047 (7-9-43) in the third set.

Erica Burson had a match-high 14 kills for the Lopers.

The Roadrunners will host Chadron State and Colorado Mines on Friday and Saturday.  Both matches begin at 7 p.m.  Saturday's Halloween match will feature several promotions, including a costume contest.  More information will be released later this week.