ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — The Missouri Southern volleyball team wrapped up play at the Bettye Wallace Invitational with a pair of tough matchups on Saturday, falling in straight sets to Quincy University and later dropping a four-set battle against Arkansas Tech.
The Lions (6-5) opened the day with a 3-0 loss to Quincy before a competitive showing in a 3-1 defeat to Arkansas Tech at the Meyer Sports Center. Despite the setbacks, several individual performances stood out, including double-digit kill totals and strong defensive efforts across both matches.
MSSU 0, Quincy University 3 (21-25, 21-25, 16-25)
Hannah Allick posted a perfect attack percentage with one kill on one attempt and contributed 17 assists over three games. Alana Moesch led the team with nine kills and added three service aces while recording seven digs. Addysen Alvis contributed 11 kills and one block, finishing with a .296 hitting percentage. Tori Hamilton provided defensive support with 13 digs, playing a key role on the backline.
The first set began with Allick setting the tone for the team with a service ace, quickly followed by a kill from Alvis to establish an early lead. The Lions continued to push forward with Reagan Ashby contributing a service ace, and Fernanda Merancio securing a kill from Allick's assist, extending the home team's advantage to 4-1. Despite a strong start, the set shifted as Quincy responded with a series of successful attacks, closing the gap and eventually overtaking for a 25-21 win. Throughout the set, Allick's pivotal assists kept the team's momentum alive, but Quincy managed to capitalize in the final stretch.
The second set opened with Alvis delivering a kill assisted by Allick, setting an early tone for a competitive exchange. Despite a strong start, The Lions faced a challenging stretch as Quincy capitalized on several attack errors and service aces to build a five-point lead at 17-12. Moesch and Epifania Salamasina helped narrow the gap with kills, but Quincy maintained their edge, ultimately securing the set 25-21 after a decisive series of plays.
The third set began with The Lions taking an early lead, highlighted by consecutive service aces from Moesch, bringing the score to 3-1. Despite this strong start, Quincy responded with a series of successful plays, including a 7-0 run that extended their lead to 10-5. Midway through the set, The Lions attempted a comeback with Alvis contributing four kills, supported by assists from Allick, but Quincy maintained control to close the set with a 25-16 victory.
MSSU 1, Arkansas Tech University 2 (25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 21-25)
Alana Moesch posted a team-high 18 kills and added 16 digs over four games. Hannah Allick facilitated the offense with 20 assists and contributed six digs. Tori Hamilton led the defensive effort with 15 digs. Mataiya Barber set up her teammates with 22 assists and added 11 digs.
The first set began with Arkansas Tech taking an early lead with two points, including a service ace by Samantha Wojtowicz. The Lions quickly responded, fueled by Allick's playmaking, as she assisted on Moesch's kill, leveling the score at 3-3. As the set progressed, the Lions capitalized on Arkansas Tech's errors, including a critical attack error by Amy Hernandez that allowed them to tie the game at 20-20. In the final stretch, Anny Montano's presence was impactful, as her entry coincided with a series of Arkansas Tech errors, which ultimately propelled the Lions to close the set with a 5-1 run, securing a 25-21 victory.
The second set began with a competitive edge as the Lions and Arkansas Tech traded early points, with Henley Hooks securing the initial lead for Arkansas Tech. The Lions responded with a series of consecutive points from Addysen Alvis and Fernanda Merancio, leveling the score at 5-5 and later taking a brief lead at 8-5. Despite strategic plays, including key assists from Allick, the Lions encountered a resilient Arkansas Tech, who capitalized on service errors and regained momentum to close the set 25-20 in their favor.
The third set began with Arkansas Tech securing an early advantage, taking a 5-2 lead as Henley Hooks and Savannah Meyer contributed key kills. The Lions responded with a series of their own, as Merancio and Alvis each recorded kills, narrowing the gap to 10-10. A crucial stretch for Arkansas Tech followed, marked by a service ace from Juliana Borchers that extended their lead to 15-10. Despite efforts from Moesch and Montano, Arkansas Tech maintained their momentum, concluding the set with a 25-16 victory after consecutive kills by Millie Allgood.
The fourth set saw an intense battle with both teams exchanging points early on. The Lions capitalized on Arkansas Tech's attack errors to maintain a slim lead, with Merancio's block and Barber's assists playing pivotal roles. Moesch and Epifania Salamasina both delivered crucial kills, keeping the score tight at 17-16 in favor of Arkansas Tech. Despite a strong effort from the Lions, featuring multiple kills by Alvis and Moesch, Arkansas Tech pulled away late in the set, taking advantage of key service aces and securing a 25-21 victory.
The Lions take the court next at Fort Hays State University on Friday, September 26th.
