Box Score KEARNEY, Neb. --- The No. 18 Washburn volleyball team fell to third-ranked Nebraska Kearney 3-0 on Friday evening in MIAA action at the Health & Sports Center.
 
With the result, the Ichabods slip to 10-4 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.
 
Despite falling to the Lopers (16-0, 2-0), Washburn battled early as it took control of the scoreboard. WU maintained an advantage for the majority of the first set leading by as much as three in the race to 25. However as the set continued, WU hitting errors combined with a string of UNK scoring allowed the Lopers to overtake the Ichabods as claim the first set 25-21.
 
A slow start by the Ichbods to start the second set provided detrimental as UNK went on a 9-0 run to make it 11-4 by taking the match 25-15.
 
During the final set, an early Sarah Vicory kill helped Washburn take a 4-2 advantage. The lead was short-lived as hitting errors and a succession of attacks moved the Lopers out front where they remained. The Ichbods kept the pressure on UNK as they narrowed the margin by as much as three, but it was not enough as the Lopers finished the swept with a 25-20 tally.
 
Top performers for Washburn included Megan Pedersen who finished with a team-high nine kills and 21 total attacks while Vicory followed with eight kills and finished with a .316 hitting percentage. Taylor Selk also contributed as she registered five kills on the night. 
 
Washburn wraps up its weekend road trip on Saturday when it continues conference action against Fort Hays State with first serve slated for 2 p.m.