Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern women's volleyball team hosted the Pittsburg State University Gorillas in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Missouri Southern showed resilience in a thrilling five-set win over Pittsburg State, capped by key plays from
Josey Goldberg and
Fernanda Merancio and a clutch block by
Kyra Thomas.
Alana Moesch would lead the Lions with 26 kills.
Missouri Southern (5-22,3-12) vs Pittsburg State (10-15,5-10)
Set 1: Missouri Southern 17 | Pittsburg State 25
The Lions struck first, claiming an early 3-0 lead as
Amelia Neels delivered back-to-back kills to ignite the offense. The Gorillas quickly answered with three straight points, leveling the score and gaining momentum. Southern countered with a 5-2 run, fueled by a service ace from
Sydney Unruh, a kill from
Alana Moesch, and another ace from
Hannah Allick. Despite the rally, Pitt State responded with a late surge to reclaim the lead and held firm to secure the opening set.
Set 2: Missouri Southern 25 | Pittsburg State 19
The second set began as a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading points and staying evenly matched. The Lions broke through first, launching a five-point surge led by three kills from
Alana Moesch and a service ace from Kyla Randle to take an 11-7 advantage. The Gorillas answered with a run of their own, edging ahead with a narrow 14-13 lead. However,
Fernanda Merancio stopped their momentum with a timely kill, sparking a 6-1 rally powered by an ace and a kill from
Amelia Neels, along with another kill by
Kyra Thomas, to extend the lead to 20-15. Southern maintained their offensive pressure, closing out the set with a decisive kill from Moesch.
Set 3: Missouri Southern 18 | Pittsburg State 25
Pitt State opened the third set with a strong start, building a 6-3 lead. The Lions quickly rallied to even the score, sparked by an
Addysen Alvis kill. The Gorillas regained momentum, but Southern stayed within striking distance, securing three consecutive points fueled by a kill and service ace from
Alana Moesch and a kill by
Fernanda Merancio, leveling the score at 11-11. Both teams traded points in a back-and-forth battle before the Gorillas surged ahead with a four-point run to take an 18-14 lead. Pittsburg State maintained their edge down the stretch, sealing the third set victory.
Set 4: Missouri Southern 25 | Pittsburg State 23
Alana Moesch opened the scoring for the Lions, setting the tone early.
Fernanda Merancio added three kills, while
Josey Goldberg contributed two kills and a service ace, helping Southern build a commanding 9-3 lead. The Gorillas fought back, chipping away at the deficit and closing the gap to just one point at 13-12. Despite the pressure, the Lions responded with a late surge, capped off by a powerful kill from Moesch to close out the third set in dominant fashion.
Set 5: Missouri Southern 16 | Pittsburg State 14
The Lions clawed their way back to tie the score at 4-4 with kills from
Alana Moesch (two),
Fernanda Merancio, and
Amelia Neels. Southern continued to battle, leveling the score again at 7-7 with another kill from Merancio. A rally powered by kills from
Josey Goldberg and Merancio gave the Lions a narrow 13-11 advantage. The Gorillas mounted an offensive push, but
Kyra Thomas delivered a clutch block to halt their momentum. Merancio then sparked a surge, evening the score at 14-14. Missouri Southern sealed the victory with a dominant defensive stand, as blocks from Merancio and Neels shut down the Gorillas' attack to clinch the match.
Missouri Southern Leaders -
KILLS: Alana Moesch – 26
SERVICE ACES: Sydney Unruh /
Hannah Allick– 2
BLOCKS: Amelia Neels – 4
DIGS: Kyla Randall – 21
Pittsburg State Leaders –
KILLS Maliyah
: Johnson – 11
SERVICE ACES: Vix Vilott – 4
BLOCKS: Carly Clennan – 8
DIGS: Josie McCroskey – 25
Up Next;
The Lions will be back in action on their home court tomorrow Saturday, November 16, when they take on the Newman University Jets. Game time is set for 3:00 pm, prior to the game the Lions will honor their seniors.
-Lions-
