By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Last August, Hailey McNee was on the visiting sideline as the University of Nebraska at Kearney volleyball team defeated Wyoming in four sets. The exhibition match jump-started a dream season for the Lopers, whose only loss came in the NCAA Division II national championship. Ten months later, McNee is back in the Cowboy State, ready to live out another dream. The 25-year-old UNK graduate starts her new job this … [Read more...] about UNK graduate assistant lands job with Division I athletic program
Rick Squiers
‘There’s nothing like UNK volleyball’: Loper fans fill arena for national title match
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications DENVER – The “U-N-K” chants started before the first serve and didn’t stop until the final point was scored. Fans decked out in blue and gold, some with their chests and faces painted, rose to their feet and clapped along as the pep band played the school fight song. Saturday evening’s NCAA Division II championship match meant a lot to Loper nation, which showed up in full force to support the University of Nebraska at Kearney … [Read more...] about ‘There’s nothing like UNK volleyball’: Loper fans fill arena for national title match
‘A season to remember’: UNK volleyball finishes ‘special year’ as national runner-up
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications DENVER – With tears in her eyes, University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Julianne Jackson managed to crack a smile during the press conference following Saturday night’s NCAA Division II women’s volleyball championship. When a reporter asked Rick Squiers where this year’s team ranks in his 21 seasons as UNK’s head coach, Jackson offered a playful answer. “Say No. 1,” she whispered across the table. The outside hitter from … [Read more...] about ‘A season to remember’: UNK volleyball finishes ‘special year’ as national runner-up
Three cheers for UNK: Loper bench adds energy with sideline celebrations
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Other collegiate volleyball coaches ask Rick Squiers about it all the time. “What’s with your crazy bench?” “Why is that happening?” “How did you start that?” His team’s over-the-top sideline antics have “definitely caught some attention,” according to Squiers, the longtime head coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. But he’s not the mastermind behind the loud, vivacious and completely unapologetic … [Read more...] about Three cheers for UNK: Loper bench adds energy with sideline celebrations
Mackenzie Puckett brings competitiveness to classroom, two sports at UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Don’t bother asking Mackenzie Puckett what her favorite sport is. The University of Nebraska at Kearney senior gets that question a lot, and her response never changes. “I just laugh, because I’ve been asked a million times,” Puckett says. “I don’t have a favorite because both of them bring out my competitiveness.” It doesn’t matter whether she’s soaring into the landing pit during a track and field meet or hammering … [Read more...] about Mackenzie Puckett brings competitiveness to classroom, two sports at UNK