JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Western (20-5, 12-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate) rallied for a 3-1 victory over Mo. Southern St. (9-17, 3-11 Mid-America Intercollegiate) on Saturday at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium, overcoming a first-set loss to win 23-25, 27-25, 25-17, 25-17.
Missouri Western holds a 20-5 overall record and a 12-2 mark in the Mid-America Intercollegiate. Mo. Southern St. has a 9-17 overall record, including a 3-11 conference record in the Mid-America Intercollegiate.
Alana Moesch led the team with 22 kills and added one service ace, contributing significantly to her total of 23 points.
Hannah Allick posted 19 assists and recorded 12 digs, while also achieving a .667 hitting percentage with two kills on three attempts.
Mataiya Barber contributed with 18 assists and seven digs, facilitating the team's offensive efforts.
Ella Breazeale excelled defensively, tallying three solo blocks.
The first set began with the Lions falling behind Missouri Western, 3-1, due to an early kill by Taylor Russell and a setting error. However, the home team soon regained ground, with Moesch and
Anny Montano contributing kills to stay competitive. A service ace by Allick and a series of effective plays from Moesch and
Tiana Simmons shifted the momentum, helping Missouri Southern take a narrow lead. As the set progressed, Missouri Western managed to level the score at 13-13, but the Lions responded with a decisive sequence featuring a block by Breazeale and additional kills from
Addysen Alvis and
Fernanda Merancio. Despite Missouri Western tying the score again at 21, Montano's kill and a critical block by Breazeale helped Southern clinch the set 25-23, edging out their opponents in a closely contested opening frame.
Missouri Southern faced a competitive second set against Missouri Western, marked by back-and-forth scoring. Early on, Moesch delivered a series of impactful kills, supported by assists from teammates
Tori Hamilton and Allick, helping to establish momentum. Despite a strong showing, Missouri Western capitalized on errors to maintain proximity. The second set was tightly contested, with neither team able to sustain a significant lead. As the set progressed, Alvis and Merancio made key contributions, keeping the score tight until the closing stages. Ultimately, Missouri Western edged out a narrow 27-25 victory in the set, bringing the match to a close score at that point.
The third set began with the Lions and Missouri Western exchanging points, as each team capitalized on the opponent's errors. MSSU showed resilience with an early kill from Moesch and an assist from Allick, keeping the score close at 3-3. However, Missouri Western gained momentum, extending their lead to 7-4 with a series of effective plays. Southern responded with a strong defensive stand, highlighted by Breazeale's block, which contributed to narrowing the gap to 12-11. Despite this effort, Missouri Western regained control with consecutive points, widening their advantage to 21-13. In the closing stages, Montano delivered two kills, and Moesch added a service ace, briefly shifting momentum. However, Missouri Western closed the set decisively, securing the final points to win 25-17.
The Lions began the fourth set with an early tie at 1-1 following a kill by Breazeale, assisted by Allick. Missouri Western then gained momentum with a series of successful plays, including a notable service ace by Katelyn Diani-O'Day, allowing them to take an 8-4 advantage. MSSU responded with a series of kills from Moesch, assisted by Barber, narrowing the gap to 10-9. However, Missouri Western capitalized on a string of errors from Southern, extending their lead to 15-10. Despite defensive efforts, including a block by Montano and Simmons, Southern couldn't close the deficit. Missouri Western completed the set with a kill by Trista Marx to secure a 25-17 victory, concluding the match.
The Lions will face Pittsburg State on the road Thursday at 6 p.m. before wrapping up the regular season next Saturday, November 15th.
