ROLLA, Mo. — Missouri Southern volleyball opened its 2025 season with a split performance on Friday at the Bullman Multi-Purpose Building, highlighted by head coach Joshua Moore earning his first career victory in the Lions' opening match.
In the early contest, Missouri Southern (1-1) swept Northwestern Oklahoma State in dominant fashion, 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-14), giving Moore his first win at the helm.
Later in the day, the Lions faced a tougher test against Minnesota State - Mankota and fell in straight sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-21). Despite the loss, Missouri Southern showed flashes of resilience, with Alana Moesch recording 11 kills and Hannah Allick adding 17 assists and eight digs. Ella Breazeale contributed a .429 hitting percentage, while Addysen Alvis added nine kills in a competitive effort.
Missouri Southern finished the day at 1-1 overall, with Coach Moore's first win serving as a strong foundation for the season ahead.
Match 1 Highlights
Missouri Southern took control early in the first set with a strong performance from Fernanda Merancio, who secured two early kills assisted by Allick, leading to a 4-2 advantage. Allick played a pivotal role throughout, contributing five assists, while Moesch and Breazeale each added significant impact with key kills and a service ace from Breazeale pushing the home team ahead 20-17. Despite a late push from Northwestern Oklahoma, Missouri Southern State closed out the set 25-19, with Alvis sealing the set with a kill followed by a decisive service ace.
Missouri Southern opened the second set with a commanding presence, taking an early lead with kills from Moesch and Merancio, setting the pace at 3-1. The team maintained its momentum, highlighted by a pivotal service ace from Mataiya Barber at 15-11, extending their lead. Despite a late push from Northwestern Oklahoma, Missouri Southern secured the set 25-21, with Breazeale delivering the decisive kill, assisted by Allick.
The third set began with Missouri Southern seizing momentum, opening with a 3-0 run highlighted by a kill from Merancio and capitalizing on attack errors by Northwestern Oklahoma. Allick was instrumental in setting up plays, contributing assists on key points, including a decisive kill by Moesch that broke a 6-6 tie. Barber then spearheaded a critical 5-0 surge with a kill and service ace, helping Missouri Southern State build a commanding lead. The team closed out the set 25-14 with Breazeale and Epifania Salamasina delivering the final blows, securing the set with strong offensive execution.
Match 2 Highlights
Allick led the team in setting with 17 assists and contributed defensively with eight digs. Moesch was a key offensive player, recording 11 kills on 25 attempts while adding seven digs on defense. Breazeale posted a hitting percentage of .429 with four kills and also added a service ace. Alvis added nine kills from 25 attacks, contributing significantly to the offensive efforts.
The first set began with Missouri Southern taking an early lead, highlighted by Moesch's kill at the opening point and Salamasina adding a kill at 9-4. The Mavericks responded with a significant 6-0 run, including a service ace from Madisen Miller that turned the tide at 7-5. Missouri Southern battled back with Alvis contributing a service ace and multiple kills, narrowing the gap to 20-16. Despite a late push featuring Merancio's kill at 24-21, Minnesota State secured the first set 25-21 with Avery Rosenberg's decisive kill.
The second set began with the Mavericks taking early control, capitalizing on errors by Missouri Southern to build a 6-0 lead, highlighted by an ace from Jadyn Lester at 0-4. The Lions responded with a kill from Merancio, assisted by Allick, at 6-1, but struggled to maintain momentum with service errors contributing to the deficit. Despite a late push featuring a service ace by Anny Montano at 15-13, Minnesota State sealed the set with efficient attacks, including two late kills by Emily Kern, closing at 25-17.
The third set began with Missouri Southern gaining an early edge through a service error by the Mavericks' Lester. Moesch played a crucial role by securing consecutive kills, contributing to an 11-8 lead at the midpoint. Despite strong efforts from the Lions, including key kills by Breazeale and Alvis, Minnesota State's late rally, highlighted by service aces from Lester, shifted momentum, leading to a 25-21 set victory for the Mavericks.
MSSU concludes the 2025 Missouri S&T Tournament with a pair of matches Saturday. The Lions will face Christian Brothers University and host, Missouri S&T, at 10 a.m., CT and 4:30 p.m.
