Joplin, Mo. – Fernanda Canedo had 115 kills, while Sophie Mader posted a double-double, but the Missouri Southern volleyball team fell in four sets tonight to Pittsburg State inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Individual set scores were 20-25, 25—16, 13-25 and 25-22.
 
Southern (8-9, 3-5 MIAA) got 15 kills from Canedo, while Mader posted 34 assists and ten digs. Abbie Casper had 21 digs, while Jaryn Benning had 13 digs of her own.
 
PSU (12-7, 6-4 MIAA) had three with double-figure kills, led by 15 from Meg Auten.
 
The opening set was back and forth as the two teams combined for 12 ties and four lead changes. Southern took a 19-18 lead late on a kill from Canedo, but the Gorillas scored four-straight to force a Southern timeout. The Lions got within two (22-20) but couldn't get closer.
 
Set two saw the two teams again battle back-and-fort to open the fame. Seven ties and two lead changes throughout the first ten points highlighted the start to the set, but the Lions went on a 4-1 run to force a PSU timeout. The Lions continued the run which eventually reached 7-2 to force another PSU timeout and Southern cruised to take the set.
 
Set three saw the Gorillas led from start to finish. The final set was another nail biter. The teams combined for 14 ties and seven lead changes. Tied 15 all, PSU reeled off two-straight points to force a Lions' timeout. The Lions returned the favor and went on a 6-2 run to lead 21-19, leading to a PSU timeout. Coming out of the timeout, PSU scored six of the final seven points to take the set and match.
 
The two teams combined for 33 total tied scores and 13 lead changes throughout the match.
 
Southern will be back in action this weekend as the Lions play host to Fort Hays State at 6 pm on Friday and No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney at 7 pm on Saturday.