Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern women's volleyball team took on the Fort Hays State University Tigers in the conference opener. The Lions were defeated by the Tigers. Opening their conference play with an overall record of 2-10 and 0-1 in the MIAA.
Game 1: Missouri Southern (2-10; 0-1) vs. Fort Hays State (9-1; 1-0)
Set 1: Missouri Southern 22 | Fort Hays State 25
Missouri Southern came out strong, jumping to an early lead behind key kills from
Amelia Neels and
Josey Goldberg. An early rally pushed the Lions to a 7-3 lead, from the service of Barber Mataiya. The Tigers would retaliate to close the gap, with a late run to take the lead; a kill from
Kyra Thomas would break the rally. Fort Hays State held their lead to take set one.
Set 2: Missouri Southern 17 | Fort Hays State 25
Both teams would open the second set and trade points. A mid-set run for the Tigers would give them the advantage. The Lions would work to close their deficient and would see points form
Kyra Thomas,
Josey Goldberg,
Alana Moesch. Missouri Southern's would work to have 17 team digs and service consistency from libero
Kyla Randall. Forts Hays held their position for the second set.
Set 3: Missouri Southern 25 | Fort Hays State 21
The Lions responded fiercely in the third set, secured seven team blocks, and taking advantage of key hitting errors from the Tigers. The Lions started with a 6-3 lead, pushing to rack up a seven-point lead (17-10); points from
Anny Montano,
Alana Moesch,
Amelia Neels,
Josey Goldberg, and Kristen Evans. A late set seven-point jump from the Tigers would close their gap to one point. Goldberg would cut their run with a kill from
Landrey VanOverschelde. Followed with kills from
Kyra Thomas and Montano to halt the Tigers efforts.
Set 4: Missouri Southern 20 | Fort Hays State 25
In the fourth set, both teams were neck and neck from the start, with neither able to pull away by more than two points. A three-point jump for the Tigers would give them the advantage;
Alana Moesch would cut their run short. The Lions worked to shorten the distance, but the set would end with a Fort Hays State kill.
Missouri Southern Leaders -
KILLS: Josey Goldberg – 20
SERVICE ACES: Kyla Randall – 2
BLOCKS: Amelia Neels – 2
DIGS: Kayla Randall – 26
Fort Hays State Leaders –
KILLS: Gracie Rains – 20
SERVICE ACES: Kristen Evans – 4
BLOCKS: Claire Olson – 4
DIGS: Kristen Evans – 16
Up next;
The Lions will be back on their home court on Saturday, September 28 when they host the University of Nebraska Kearney Lopers. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.
-Lions-
