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KEARNEY, Neb. - After a five-set, come from behind victory last night over Washburn, the Central Missouri Jennies could not keep the momentum rolling through the MIAA Tournament championship match, as they fall to the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers in straight sets. Freshman hitter Carly Sojka led the team with 13 kills as the Jens dropped just the sixth match of the season, 25-23, 25-18, 25-9.

Playing on their home court, the Lopers took control early, building a 7-2 lead to start the opening set. UCM responded with five straight points to tie the score at 7-7, as Sojka recorded two kills and and a block assist during the rally. Central Missouri was never quite able to get out in front in the first set, as both sides traded points to keep the score close thoughout the game. With a chance to tie the score yet again at 23-22, the Jens gave up a kill from UNK's Ashley Leitner to give the Lopers set point at 24-22. Taylor Goodness kept the Jens alive with her kill at 24-23, but a service error finished out the set with the Lopers winning 25-23.

As the Jennies took their first lead of the match with Hillary McCormick's kill to start the second game at 1-0, Nebraska-Kearney was able to avoid a long Jennie run. UCM scored four of the first six points, but then committed four straight errors to give UNK a 6-4 advantage. Central Missouri cut the Loper lead to one with Sojka's kill at 7-6, but it would be as close as they would get, as Nebraska-Kearney scored on six of the next seven points, building up a 13-7 lead. The Jens had a quick three-point run late in the set, with three straight kills from Goodness, Sojka, and Lisa Moore, closing the gap to 19-14; UNK scored four of the final five points however, taking a 25-18 set victory.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Nebraska-Kearney used big runs to close out the third set. After UCM took a quick 1-0 lead, the Lopers scored five straight to go ahead 5-1. After the Jens made to quick points, UNK went on a 6-2 run, expanding their lead to 11-5 before a bad set was called on the Loper setter. A UCM service error kicked off another long UNK run, as the Lopers scored eight straight points, including back-to-back service aces, to go up 19-6. Finishing on a 5-1 run, Nebraska-Kearney capped off the championship match with a 25-9 win.

Sojka was the only Jennie to reach double figures in kills; McCormick finished with eight kills, while Goodness had five and Bradye Peniston tallied four. Freshman Annie Reilly collected 17 digs in the match.

Sojka also recorded her 13th double-double in the loss, picking up 10 digs. Junior setter Julia Bates also earned a double-double with 25 assists and 11 digs.

The Jennies will find out their place in the NCAA Tournament tomorrow night, when the tournament seedings are released at 9 p.m. The selection show will be available via webcast at NCAA.com.