BOLIVAR, Mo. – Missouri Southern volleyball (6-2) split a pair of matches Saturday at the SBU Invitational, earning one win and one loss at Meyer Sports Center.
The Lions started Day 2 of the tournament with a four-set win (25-10, 25-16, 22-25, 25-14) over Southwest Baptist University before a loss against Harding University (22-25, 17-25, 21-25).
MSSU now holds a 6-2 overall record in 2025.
MSSU 3, Southwest Baptist University 1 (25-10, 25-16, 22-25, 25-14)
Alana Moesch led the team with a highlight performance, posting 13 kills, three blocks, and two service aces, totaling 16.5 points.
Fernanda Merancio recorded 10 kills and three blocks, contributing 12 points with a .526 hitting percentage.
Hanna Lauterbach added strength at the net, finishing with six total blocks and four kills.
Hannah Allick facilitated the offense effectively, distributing 25 assists and securing 11 digs.
The first set showcased a commanding performance as the Lions opened with a 5-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back service aces from Allick.
Tori Hamilton and Allick were pivotal, with Hamilton assisting on several key kills, including a strike from Merancio to push the lead to 10-3. Despite a brief Southwest Baptist rally, the Lions maintained control, closing the set at 25-10 with
Addysen Alvis securing the final point from an Allick setup.
The second set began with the Lions capitalizing on an early 3-point run, highlighted by Merancio's kill and
Reagan Ashby's service ace. Allick facilitated the attack with consistent assists, contributing to crucial points like the kill by Merancio at 19-13.
Mataiya Barber's service ace further extended the lead, and Alvis sealed the set with a kill from her assist, closing the set at 25-16 in favor of the Lions.
The third set began with a tightly contested exchange, as the Lions and Southwest Baptist traded points, keeping the score close. Allick played a pivotal role in the Lions' surge, contributing to a sequence of points with a key block and an assist to Moesch, which helped the team pull the score to 15-15. Despite a late rally to take a 22-19 lead, the Lions were unable to maintain the momentum, as Southwest Baptist capitalized on a series of attack errors to close the set with a 25-22 victory.
MSSU 0, Harding University 3 (22-25, 17-25, 21-25)
Addysen Alvis led the offensive charge for the Lions with 12 kills on 26 attempts, finishing with a .269 hitting percentage.
Tori Hamilton contributed defensively with 10 digs and added four assists.
Hannah Allick directed the attack with a team-high 15 assists.
Alana Moesch added nine kills and eight digs, providing a solid all-around performance.
The first set began with Missouri Southern State establishing an early lead, capitalizing on errors by Harding's Jacey Lambert and Ella Drake to go up 2-0. Allick and Moesch provided key kills to keep the score tight, with Moesch's performance, including multiple kills, standing out in the set. Despite a late push from Missouri Southern State, highlighted by
Fernanda Merancio's contributions, Harding's offensive efforts, led by Josie Bishop, closed the set at 25-22 in favor of the home team.
The second set saw Merancio and Allick establish a connection early, as Merancio secured the first point with a kill, setting the pace for the visiting team. Despite trailing, Missouri Southern State mounted a resilient comeback attempt with consecutive kills from
Ella Breazeale and Alvis, trimming the deficit to 11-8. However, Harding's offensive momentum, highlighted by a series of kills from Drake, proved challenging to counter, leading to a 25-17 conclusion in favor of the home team.
In the third set, the Lions surged ahead with a series of decisive plays, highlighted by Alvis, who delivered key kills to establish a 10-5 lead. However, Harding responded with a rally to even the score at 14-14, benefiting from several attack errors by the visitors. Despite a late push with kills from Merancio and Alvis, Harding secured the set with a final service ace, concluding the set 25-21.
The Lions take the court next at Henderson State University on September 19th.
