Kansas City, Mo. -- Top seeded Nebraska-Kearney will meet fifth seeded Emporia State in the semi-final round of the MIAA Volleyball Tournament. The first time these two teams met this season ESU forced UNK to five sets as the Lopers emerged with a 3-2 win. For the Lopers Ariel Krolikowski had 18 kills, Katie Sokolowski had 15 kills and Ellie Pesavento added 13 kills. Jenna Rouzee had a match high 50 assists and Kaleigh Anderson added 27 digs. For the Hornets Paige Vanderpool had 18 kills and added 17 digs for a double-double and Morgan Buckner added 14 kills. Katie Duetschmann had 30 assists and Meg Schwartz added 29 digs.

The second time the two teams met was late in the season in Emporia where the Lopers earned a 3-0 sweep. Katie Sokolowski hit .467 in the match and added 15 total kills. Jenna Rouzee had a double-double with 28 assists and 12 digs. Liz McGowan led the team with 23 digs. For the Hornets Paige Vanderpool had 13 kills completing a double-double with 14 digs. Katie Duetschmann led the team with 18 assists and Meg Schwartz had 19 digs.

On the season for UNK Ariel Krolikowski is averaging 3.52 kills per set while Katie Sokolowski is hitting .400 and averaging 3.21 kills per set. Jenna Rouzee is leading the MIAA averaging 10.88 assists per set and Liz McGowan is averaging a team best 4.73 digs per set. ESU is led by Paige Vanderpool who is averaging 2.55 kills per set and Brianna Kaiser with 2.52 kills per set. Katie Duetschmann is leading the team with an average of 6.25 assists per set and Meg Schwartz is second in the league at 5.06 digs per set.

The two teams will face off on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. from the Health and Sports Center in Kearney, Neb.