Hays, Kan. - The Missouri Southern volleyball team played out west today, taking on the Fort Hays State Tigers on their home court. In an exciting match that went to five sets, the Lions defeated the Tigers to improve to 12-7 (5-5 MIAA) on the year.
Kicking things off, the Lions scored seven of the last eight points in the first set to win it 25-18. The Tigers rallied late in the second set to force extra points, where they'd go on to even the score at 1-1 with a 31-29 second set victory. MSSU regained the lead with a 25-21 third set win. However, a 25-23 FHSU win in the fourth set forced a decisive fifth set. The Lions found themselves trailing 8-5, but they finished the match on a 10-3 run to give them a 15-11 set victory.
Hannah Allick (29 assists, 11 digs) and
Fernanda Canedo (26 digs, 15 kills) both recorded double-doubles in the win.
Kyla Randall had a match-high 4 service aces, along with 17 digs. Middle blocker Amelai Neels was busy at the net, recording 8 kills, 4 block assists, and 1 solo block. Nearly recording a double-double was
Landrey VanOverschelde, finishing with 24 assists and 8 digs. She also had 3 service aces in the win.
Going into Friday's contest, the Lions ranked first in NCAA Division II in Digs Per Set and Attacks Per Set.
Southern will face #9 nationally ranked Nebraska-Kearney at their place Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 PM.
