KEARNEY, Neb. -- The Bellevue University volleyball team stepped out of NAIA play on Tuesday evening to take on University of Nebraska-Kearney and the Lopers took home a straight set victory by scores of 25-6, 25-12, 25-23.
UNK looked great in the early going, claiming convincing wins over the Bruins in the first two sets before Bellevue got going. After dropping the first two sets by a combined 32 points BU forced a tight third set before ultimately falling 25-23.
Coming into this match Nebraska-Kearney was ranked No. 16 in the latest NCAA Division II AVCA Coaches' Poll while Bellevue is receiving votes in the Tachikara-NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll.
Senior Beth Walker was one of the bright spots for the Bruins, racking up 17 assists, five kills, and seven digs.
Sophomore Rachel Wald led Bellevue with four kills on the evening while sophomore Taylor Holz recorded a team-high 12 digs.
The Lopers hit at a .230 clip on the night while holding Bellevue to a -.039 attack effort. On defense Kearney out-dug the Bruins 51-39 and out-blocked the visitors by a 19-18 margin.
Bellevue (19-14) returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 22 when they host Briar Cliff at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
