Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern volleyball team had visiting Drury on the ropes in all three sets tonight, but the Lions fell three sets to none in front of a big crowd for the home opener inside Young Gymnasium. Individual set scores were 22-25, 19-25, and 21-25. 

Southern  (3-10) was led offensively by Bailey Rexford with eight kills and six digs. Mikayla Monk had seven kills and two blocks, while Alicia Pickett had six kills and three blocks. Whitney Harrison dished out 25 assists, and added five digs, while Kat Gries had a team-high eight digs. Alyx Gepford had five blocks in the match. 

Drury (7-4) was led by Bentley Mara's 12 kills and Brooke Antenen's 24 assists. 

Both teams traded points in the first set as the opener saw seven tied scores and four lead changes. Drury took a 15-12 lead midway through forcing a Lions' timeout, but Southern fought back to within three at 21-18 to force a Panthers' timeout. The Lions tied it at 22, again forcing a Drury timeout. The Panthers, however, scored the next three points in a row to take the first set. 

The second set was again back-and-forth with eight tied scores and four lead changes. After Drury led 9-7, the Lions scored three in a row to force a Panthers' timeout. But Drury returned the favor and went on a 3-0 run of its own to force a Southern timeout at 12-10. 

The Lions got a kill from Monk on the point out of the timeout, but that would be as close as Southern got in the set. 

The third set saw nine ties and two lead changes. The Lions got out hot, leading 8-4 and forcing a Drury timeout. The Panthers fought back and tied the set at 13 to force a Lions' timeout. The set was tied again at 17, 17, 18 and 19, before Drury went on a 3-0 run to lead 22-19 and force a Southern timeout. Drury scored three of the final five points to close out the match. 

The Lions will be back in action this Friday as Southern plays host to Missouri Western. First serve against the Griffons is slated for 7 pm.