Joplin, Mo. - The Southern Invite began Friday, taking place at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center. Missouri Southern played in two of the six contests, taking both of those matches. The Lions downed Cameron University 3-0 and Northwestern Oklahoma State 3-1 to begin the year 2-0.
MSSU vs. Cameron University
In their first competition of the fall, the Lions swept the Cameron University Aggies 3 sets to 0. Southern came out of the gates in an aggressive manner, winning the first five points of the year. Cameron then responded and hung with the Lions until late in the set, where MSSU took the final three points for a 25-21 score. The teams went back and forth in the second, taking extra points for Southern to come out on top 28-26. Midway through the third, MSSU had a nice stretch to take a 10-5 lead. Cameron made a push at the end, but the Lions held on for the 25-23 third set victory.
Fernanda Canedo recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs. Also hitting double digits was
Kyra Thomas and Ameila Neels. Thomas finished with 12 kills and a .370 attack percentage. Landrey VanOvershelde led both squads with 22 assists in the match.
MSSU vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State
The Lions wasted no time in their second match of the day, roaring into the third set after 25-12 and 25-15 victories in sets one and two. A close third set ended in favor of the Rangers, but Southern bounced back in the fourth set, winning 25-16 for a match final of 3-1.
Alana Moesch had a .409 attack percentage with 10 kills, and both
Amelia Neels and
Fernanda Canedo hit 10 kills as well. Neels also tallied 6 blocks, while Landrey VanOvershelde and
Hannah Allick each recorded 20 assists.
Day two of the Southern Invite starts at 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 2. MSSU will play at 1:00 PM vs Southern Arkansas, and 7:00 PM vs Southwest Baptist.
