Holly Heldt vs. Washburn 2024
Cole Weiberg/MWSU Athletics
0
Missouri Western MWSU 11-3, 2-1
3
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKVB 15-0, 3-0
Missouri Western MWSU
11-3, 2-1
0
Final
3
Neb.-Kearney UNKVB
15-0, 3-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Missouri Western MWSU 33 26 20 (0)
Neb.-Kearney UNKVB 35 28 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Heldt and Johnson’s Double-Double Performances Not Enough to Upset No. 3 UNK

Heldt finished with a career-high 24 digs in the match

KEARNEY, Neb. - The Missouri Western volleyball team (11-3, 2-1 MIAA) dropped its third match of the season, 3-0, to the No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (15-0, 3-0 MIAA) on Friday night.
 
The Griffons fought hard against the third-ranked Lopers but ultimately fell in three sets at Buckle Court. The set scores were 33-35, 26-26 and 20-25.
 
After UNK started the match with a 4-0 run, MWSU gained momentum and eventually took a 17-16 lead with a 7-2 run, prompting the Lopers to call a timeout. Towards the end of the set, the Lopers had three consecutive opportunities to end the set, but a solid offensive attack led by Taylor Russell kept the Griffons' chances alive. The two teams battled to the longest set of the season for each program, with Nebraska-Kearney narrowly edging Missouri Western 35-33.
 
In the second set, the Lopers started with another 4-0 run. The Griffs then reduced the lead to just one point at 15-14 following three consecutive kills from Russell. Emma Salker's trio of kills helped Western reach 20 points first and maintain the lead until the 24th point. The Lopers forced extra points and eventually took the set 28-26.
 
The Lopers secured the match with a 25-20 win in the final set, extending their set win streak to 15 and maintaining their perfect start to the season.
 
Holly Heldt notched her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 24 digs and 14 kills. Emily Loy led the Griffons offensively with 15 kills, while Russell added 12 kills herself.
 
Nessa Johnson had another impressive performance at setter, achieving a 49-assist, 12-dig double-double. The senior matched the number of assists by UNK's Peyton Neff, who ranked third in the country in assists per set heading into the contest.
 
Lily Kurz led the match with seven blocks, followed by Russell and Salker, who each collected five. Libero Anna Weberg also had a solid defensive performance with 22 digs.
 
Western will return to action tomorrow against Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas. Action against the Tigers will occur at 2:00 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Print Friendly Version