KEARNEY, Neb. — The No. 5-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers used a high-percentage hitting effort to score a 3-0 win over the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team Thursday at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers won by set scores of 25-19, 25-13 and 25-9. UNK improved to 25-3 overall and 12-3 in the MIAA. Northwest dipped to 9-15 overall and 3-12 in league play.

The Lopers hit .327 with 40 kills and six errors. UNK had one error in the first set, two in the second set and three in the final set. Northwest had 30 kills and 21 attack errors for a .074 hitting percentage. The Lopers posted 13.0 blocks to 4.0 for the Bearcats.

Northwest Missouri State began the first set with a strong start, quickly taking a 2-0 lead with kills from Gabrielle Gartner and Kasidy Mohwinkle, both assisted by Ella Caffery. The teams exchanged points in a tight contest, with Northwest maintaining a slight edge at various intervals, including a 9-8 lead following another kill by Mohwinkle.

The Lopers then shifted the momentum, capitalizing on a series of errors from Northwest and extending their lead to 15-11. Northwest responded with a brief rally, narrowing the gap to 15-14 with kills from Gartner and Natalie Herrington. However, UNK finished the set decisively, taking advantage of additional errors and securing the set 25-19.

The second set opened with the Lopers establishing early momentum, taking a 4-0 lead with a strong service ace and defensive blocks. Northwest Missouri State responded with a kill by Kate Frakes, but UNK quickly regained control, stretching their lead with effective kills from Carly Purdy and Emilee Lane.

Northwest Missouri State attempted to close the gap through key kills by Gabrielle Gartner and Kasidy Mohwinkle, but the Lopers maintained their advantage. Despite a series of scoring plays by Northwest, including another kill by Frakes, UNK sealed the set with a service ace and a final block, concluding the set at 25-13.

Northwest Missouri State opened the third set with strong defensive plays, highlighted by Gabrielle Gartner and Natalie Herrington combining for an early block that put them on the board first. Ella Caffery's assist to Kate Frakes secured another point, briefly giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. Kasidy Mohwinkle further extended the lead with a kill, assisted again by Caffery, pushing the score to 3-1. However, the Lopers quickly regained momentum with a series of blocks and a service ace from Bryn McNair, allowing them to tie and then take the lead at 4-3.

As the set progressed, the Lopers increased their lead, capitalizing on attack errors from Northwest Missouri State. Despite a service error by the Lopers that momentarily halted their run, they continued to pressure with kills from Emilee Lane and Sydney Davis. Later, Abby Bulthuis and Maja Noehrer each delivered a kill for Northwest Missouri State, but the Lopers maintained control throughout the set.

The set concluded with strong plays from UNK, sealing the set 25-9. Northwest Missouri State's efforts, including a late block from Maja Noehrer and Ella Caffery, were not enough to close the gap.

Kate Frakes led the offensive effort with seven kills and contributed defensively with one block assist. Gabrielle Gartner finished with six kills and added three block assists to her performance. Kasidy Mohwinkle recorded six kills and collected 12 digs, reinforcing the defensive line. Ella Caffery facilitated the team's attack, posting 26 assists and adding nine digs in the effort.

The Bearcats will be back in action Friday at 6 p.m. against Fort Hays State in Hays, Kan. A Northwest victory could lift the Bearcats into the eighth spot in the MIAA standings and a berth in the league's postseason tournament set for Nov. 20-22 in St. Joseph, Mo.