KEARNEY – The Nebraska Kearney volleyball team, aiming to make the NCAA Tournament for an unprecedented 24th consecutive year, reports to fall camp on Monday, Aug. 14.
The Lopers will have eight practices prior to the annual “Blue/White” scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 19 (3 p.m.). This year, three additional home scrimmages are open to the public; note scores and statistics cannot be taken or reported for these matches. These workouts come against Metro State (Aug. 25; 6 pm. & Aug. 26; 12 p.m.) and South Dakota Mines (Aug. 26; 10:30 a.m.).
Head coach Rick Squiers, now 729-102 in his UNK tenure, has a 22-player roster that includes 2022 All-Americans Emersen Cyza (Alliance) and Jaden Ferguson (Lincoln SE). Ferguson is a grad transfer who previously played at MIAA rival Northwest Missouri. She and Cyza, both fifth-year players, have combined for nearly 2,000 kills in their careers.
Others who’ve earned All-MIAA recognition are setter Peyton Neff (North Platte), right side Lauren Taubenheim (Lincoln Pius) and defensive specialist/libero Jensen Rowse (Minden). Additionally, new defensive specialist Celeste Friesen (Marietta, Ga.) was an all-league pick at Division I Georgia State with backrow mate Addyson Mock (Stilwell, Kan.) a 2022 NJCAA All-American at Johnson County (Kan.) C.C.
Middle blockers Bailee Sterling and Fallon Stutheit must be replaced with sophomores Trista Marx (Limon, Colo.) and Abby Rose (Lindsborg, Kan.) starting in those spots during the spring season. Finally, six freshmen hail from Nebraska, Missouri and Texas.
UNK will face longtime rival Wayne State in an exhibition match as part of “Volleyball Day in Nebraska” on Aug. 30.
The regular season begins two days later in Salt Lake City at the Westminster College Invite. The home opener comes on Wednesday, Sept. 6, vs. Peru State.
