Lopers Beat Metro, 3-1, to win RMAC Tourney Title, Walkowiak MVP

Kearney, Neb. - The 8th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team used a balanced offense to beat 12th-ranked Metro State in four sets (-21, 24-26, -12, -20) to claim the 2010 RMAC Tournament title Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (29-4) win its seventh RMAC tourney title and first since 2007. The Roadrunners (24-6), who beat the Lopers in last year's finals, see a modest two match win streak in Kearney snapped.

In the rubber match between the two teams this year, UNK drew first blood as they controlled the first set most of the way.

A block from senior middle Jeri Walkowiak (Grand Island) and senior outside Kelsey Werner (Grand Island), followed by an ace from sophomore DS Kaleigh Anderson (Lincoln SW) gave the Lopers a 21-17 lead and forced Metro to take a timeout. Soon after, a kill from sophomore outside Ariel Krolikowski (Grand Island) gave UNK a 1-0 match lead.

The Lopers were ahead 15-12 in the second set, after kills from Werner and Walkowiak, but Metro got three straight kills from junior outside Bri Morley, an ace and a kill from senior middle Anna Mapes to storm ahead 17-15.  UNK never got the lead back but tied things at 24 after two unforced errors by the 'Runners. However, Metro tied things at one after kills by Morley and setter Darcy Schwartzman.

After an eight minute break, Metro came out cold in the third set, having four straight unforced attack errors to give UNK a 9-2 lead. For the set, the 'Runners had eight kills and 10 errors in addition to three service errors.

The Lopers didn't need any help in the fourth set as they pounded home 17 kills. Kills by Krolikowski and Walkowiak broke a 12-12 tie and UNK never trailed or was tied again.

Krolikowski had team-highs in kills (14) and attack attempts (57) while also having 19 digs on defense. In the middle, Walkowiak (12) and freshman Ellie Pesavento (10) also reached double digits in kills.

Werner also was a factor offensively, providing nine kills in 38 attempts. Besides Krolikowski, senior libero Katlyn Heiserman (Manchester, Iowa) had 31 digs with Anderson providing 20 and senior setter Cola Svec (Elkhorn) digging up 18 balls. Finally, Walkowiak had four block assists.

The 2009 RMAC tourney MVP, Morley led Metro with 14 kills with fellow outside Emily Greenhalgh and junior middle Julie Causseaux at 10 a piece. In the back row, libero Ngoc Phan had 32 digs.

UNK and Metro will both be in the NCAA Tournament next weekend. The pairings for the 64-team event will come out tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Central at www.ncaasports.com.

2010 All-Tourney Team
Walkowiak, MVP
Svec
Pesavento
Morley
Phan
Tara King, Mesa State
Christy Henzgen, Regis