Playing their first match in nearly three weeks, the Nebraska volleyball team swept Texas State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday afternoon in Omaha. Hitting at .398 in the match, their highest attacking percentage of the season, the fifth-seeded Huskers trailed in only one rally during the 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 victory. With the victory, the Huskers advance to an NCAA Regional Semifinal for the 36th time, an NCAA record. The Huskers will take on 12th-seeded Baylor Sunday at a time still to be determined.
The Nebraska baseball and softball teams are both on the road this weekend. The baseball team opens a six game road swing with a three game series at Penn State. Winning 10 of their last 12, the Huskers are currently sitting in first place in the Big Ten standings. The Nittany Lions are 11th in the conference, but have won 2 in-a-row. Game one is tonight at 5:00. The two teams meet again Saturday at Noon, before wrapping up the weekend Sunday morning at 10:00. The Husker softball team travels to Minneapolis to take on 24th ranked Minnesota. Game one is tonight at 5:00, they play a doubleheader Saturday st Noon. The series finale is Sunday at Noon.
The UNK Volleyball team is in Topeka, Kansas this weekend for the MIAA’s Spring Tournament. The Lopers are the North Division top seed and will face the winner of Newman/Pittsburg State on Friday at 3:00. Central Missouri won the South Division. The Jennies play the winner of Emporia State/Missouri Western, Friday at 5:00. The MIAA Spring Tourney Semifinals and Championship match will all be played Saturday.
The UNK football team will travel to longtime rival Wayne State Saturday for a controlled scrimmage/joint practice. The workout will begin at 2:00 p.m. with 1 on 1’s and 7 on 7’s. Following a short break at around 2:30, the two teams will face each other in a controlled scrimmage that will last from 2:45 p.m. until around 4:00. Gates will open at 1:00. Admission will not be charged but fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items in support of the Wayne State Campus Food Pantry that is being organized by the WSC Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Fans will be required to wear a mask/face covering at all times during the event except when eating or drinking and are encouraged to sit in family groups and social distance from other groups of people. Concessions will be available. This will wrap up UNK’s spring practice schedule.
The Tri-City Storm have three games against the Des Moines Buccaneers this weekend at the Viaero Center. The two teams will play tonight and tomorrow night at 7:05, and Sunday afternoon at 4:05. Currently sitting atop the Western Conference standings, the Storm have won 8 in-a-row. The Buccaneers have lost 4 in-a-row.
High School Results & Schedules:
Baseball
Thursday @ HAC Tournament @ Den Hartog Field
– #9 Lincoln North Star def. #8 Kearney High – 2-1
– Kearney High def. Lincoln High – 11-1 5-innings
Soccer
Thursday
– Kearney High Boys def. Norfolk – 3-1 @ Veterans Park/Memorial Field
– Kearney High Girls def. Norfolk – 2-0
Friday
– Kearney High Girls @ Fremont – 5:00 @ Christensen Field
Saturday
– Kearney High Boys vs. Omaha Central – 1:30 @ KHS
Girls Tennis
Thursday
– Kearney High 2nd Place @ 10-Team Doubles Invite @ Harmon Park
– Hershey def. Kearney Catholic – 6-3
Boys Golf
Thursday
– Kearney High 2nd Place @ 9-Team Invite @ Lochland GC in Hastings
Track & Field
Thursday
– Kearney High (Boys 1st, Girls 1st) @ Jo Dusatko Invite at Omaha Burke Invite
– Kearney Catholic (Boys 10th/Girls 7th) @ Dutch Zorn Invite in Gothenburg