burdkl@lopers.unk.edu
The Lopers had a busy weekend on the road with the men’s and women’s basketball teams starting their seasons and UNK volleyball finishing off its regular season.
The volleyball team ended its regular season against Missouri Southern on Friday and Pittsburg State on Saturday. UNK took both matches 3-0, moving its winning streak to 11. The stretch of wins began on Oct. 15 against Pittsburg State and continued through their second matchup Saturday.
Emersen Cyza led UNK with 12 kills against Missouri Southern. Both Cyza and Anna Squiers had 12 kills in Saturday’s matchup against Pittsburg State.
Maddie Squiers reached 6,000 career assists against Missouri Southern. That includes her time at Bellevue University. She’s in 10th all-time at UNK with 2,591 career assists.
Anna Squiers, Maddie Squiers and Cyza earned All-MIAA first team honors. Bailee Sterling, Lindsay Nottlemann and Lauren Taubenheim were on the second team. CeCe Beahm earned honorable mention.
The wins moved the Lopers’ record to 24-5, finishing the season fourth-place in the MIAA standings.
The women’s basketball team opened its season Friday night against Minnesota-Crookston, winning 74-58.
Klaire Kirsch earned a double-double, with 16 points on 75% shooting and 10 rebounds. The Lopers had three other double-digit scorers in the win.
On Saturday, the Lopers faced SW Minnesota State, losing 66-76. UNK’s leading scorers were Elisa Backes, with 19 points, and Trinity Law, with 14.
The Mustangs were led by Meleah Reinhart, who scored 27, while also grabbing eight rebounds. SW Minnesota was fueled by a huge 29-point fourth quarter, shooting 7-9 from the field and 15-16 from the free throw line.
UNK men’s basketball opened its season against Minnesota-Duluth. David Simental led the Lopers with 25 points, six assists and three rebounds, but they ultimately fell to the Bulldogs 64-77.
The Loper attack was much more balanced on Saturday against Minnesota-Crookston, with four players scoring in the double-digits. Austin Luger led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds in the 75-57 victory.
The Loper volleyball team takes on Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Tournament on Tuesday at the Health and Sports Center.
Men and women’s basketball have their home openers at the Health and Sports Center Wednesday. The women will take on Peru State and the men will play Chadron State. Both will play Colorado Mines Saturday.
