Fort Smith, Ark.– The Missouri Southern women's volleyball team traveled to take on the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lions. Missouri Southern defeated Arkansas - Fort Smith, 3-2 and moved to an overall record of 4-19 and 2-9 in the MIAA.
Missouri Southern (4-19, 2-9) vs Arkansas - Fort Smith (12-11, 4-7)
Set 1: Missouri Southern 22 | Arkansas - Fort Smith 25
Arkansas-Fort Smith took an early 5-2 lead in the first set, but their momentum was halted by a kill from
Amelia Neels. Key blocks from Neels and
Alana Moesch powered a MSSU three-point jump to even the sore 8-8, aided by a kill
Addysen Alvis. UAFS pushed a five-point jump to regain the lead (17-13).
Fernanda Merancio would respond with a kill to break their rally. Neels would follow with her own kill to narrow the gap to 17-16. Arkansas - Fort Smith held their lead to take set one.
Set 2: Missouri Southern 17 | Arkansas - Fort Smith 25
Arkansas - Fort Smith opened the second set with an 11-3 lead, but
Anny Montano's kill sparked a four-point run for Missouri Southern, with help from
Amelia Neels, to put the score at 11-7. Both teams would trade points, and UAFS would reach set point first. Despite late kills from
Josey Goldberg to close the gap, Arkansas-Fort Smith secured the final point to take set two.
Set 3: Missouri Southern 25 | Arkansas - Fort Smith 21
Fernanda Merancio ignited Missouri Southern's scoring with a kill followed by kills from
Alana Moesch and
Kyra Thomas for the 6-4 lead. MSSU would add to their lead with a three-point jump with points from Merancio (kill) and Moesch (ace) (11-9). MSSU extended their advantage with key points from
Hannah Allick (ace),
Josey Goldberg (kills), Thomas (kills), Neels (kills), Moesch (kills and ace), Landry VanOverschelde (ace), Merancio (block and kills).
Anny Montano sealed the set with a decisive kill, giving Missouri Southern a hard-fought victory in the third set.
Set 4: Missouri Southern 25 | Arkansas - Fort Smith 23
The fourth set began with both teams trading points until Missouri Southern took a 13-10 lead on a three-point surge, fueled by blocks from
Fernanda Merancio and
Kyra Thomas, and a kill from
Anny Montano. Arkansas-Fort Smith responded with a run of their own to edge ahead 19-18. However,
Josey Goldberg delivered three clutch kills down the stretch, securing the fourth set victory for Missouri Southern.
Set 5: Missouri Southern 15 | Arkansas - Fort Smith 5
Missouri Southern came out firing in the fifth set, racing to a 10-0 lead with contributions from
Hannah Allick (three aces and a kill),
Hannah Allick (three aces and a kill),
Amelia Neels (two kills),
Fernanda Merancio (kills), and
Josey Goldberg (kill). Arkansas-Fort Smith managed a brief four-point rally, but
Alana Moesch and Goldberg answered back, clinching the set and securing the match for Missouri Southern.
Missouri Southern Leaders -
KILLS: Amelia Neels – 17
SERVICE ACES: Hannah Allick – 7
BLOCKS: Amelia Neels – 3
DIGS: Kyla Randall – 17
Arkansas - Fort Smith Leaders –
KILLS: Nyia Anderson – 12
SERVICE ACES: Nyia Anderson – 4
BLOCKS: Hannah Watkins – 3
DIGS: Brelee Mauldin –16
Up Next;
The Lions will be back on the road on Saturday, November 2 when they travel to take on the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Game time is set for 2:00 pm.
-Lions-
