Missouri State’s volleyball team fell into a 2-0 hole and then nearly forced a deciding fifth game before falling short against the Kansas Jayhawks (2-3) Saturday evening at the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing, Mich.

The Bears dropped to 5-2 on the season after losing by game scores of 22-30, 21-30, 30-22 and 30-32.

After hitting -.016 in the first two games to find themselves facing a 2-0 deficit, the Bears came out of the intermission on fire offensively, hitting .341 in game three and getting at least three kills from four different players in a balanced offensive attack.

Missouri State and Kansas battled point-for-point in game four and were tied for the ninth time at 30-30 after Addie Foley and Shayla Patrick combined to block KU’s Savannah Noyes and fight off match point. Noyes responded with a kill to make it 31-30, and the Jayhawks finished off the match when Flavia Lino put away the final attack for a 32-30 game victory.

Offensively for the Bears, Jamie Adams and Sara Thomas led the way with 11 kills apiece.

On the defensive side, Terri Del Conte had 15 digs, one short of her season high, and Patrick was in on six of MSU’s 13 blocks for the match. Katelyn Panzau chipped in 10 digs and had three service aces as well.

Missouri State will be back in action Sept. 7 against UNC-Asheville at the Holiday Inn Express Challenge in Chattanooga, Tenn.